The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-04-28
The
Million
Dollar
Mystery
CHAPTER XIX.
A Blank Sheet OF Paper.

peared from New York shortly after
the fire, no doubt because of her fear
Of the Black Hundred. The fire did
not destroy the house. but most OF
the furnishings we're so thoroughly
drenched by water that they we're
practically ruined Her coming and
going were a nine days wonder. and
then the public found something else
to talk about
Norton was a constant visitor at the
Hargreave place There was to him a
new interest in that mysterious house.
with its hidden panels. its false floors.
rs secret tunnels; but he treated
Jones upon the same basis as hitherto.
One thing however. He telt a sense
Of security in regard to Florence such
as he had not felt before So. between
assignments he ran out to Riverdale
and did what he could to amuse his
sweetheart. Later. they took short
rides in the runabout, and at length
she became as lively as she had ever
been.
, But often she would catch Moron
brooding.
What makes you frown like that?"
WAS | frowning?" innocertly
enough
Il find you this way a dozen times
in an afternoon. What is the matt or?
Are they after you again?"
Heavens, no! I'm only a vague Is
sue They will not bother me so long
as | do not bother them. 1t has
dwindled into a game of truce"
do you think so?" eying him curl
ously
"Why. yes"
whats the use of trying to fool
me, jim? Ii they haven't been after
you, you are sensing presage Of evil.
I'm not a child any longer Haven't
l been through enough TO make me a
woman? Sometimes | feel very old
"To me you are the most charming
in all this wide world. No. you're not
a child any longer. You are a woman,
brave and patient: and ! know that
could trust you with any secret | have
or own. But sometimes a person may
have a secret which is not his and
which he hasn't any right to dis
close"
She became silent for awhile. 81
hate money" she said. Il hate it,
hate it,"
Its mighty comfortable to have it
around sometimes" he countered.
"As in my case. for instance. If I
were poor and had TO work no one
would bother me-
Il would" he declared, laughing.
Come; let's throw OFF moods and go
into town for tea at the Rose Garden;
and if you feel strong enough we'll
trip the light fantastic"
They had been gone from the house
less than an hour when q man ran
up the steps Of the veranda and rang
the bell. Jones being busy at the rear
of the house the maid came 10 the
door
rs Miss Hargreave in?" the stran-
ger asked
NO" abruptly The door began to
close ever so slowly.
do yen know where I can find
her."
The maid eyed him with covert keen |
ness; then, remembering that the re-
porter was with Florence, said: II
believe she is al the Rose Garden this
afternoon"
That is in town."
eyes"
Thanks The man turned abruptly !
and ran down the steps.
The maid ran back to Jones.
"Why didn't you call me?" he de-
manded impatiently.
There wasn't time"
did you tell him where she was?"
'Yes. But | shouldn't have told him
If Mr. Norton had not been with Miss |
Florence"
Jones ran to the front, dashed out, !
eyed the back OF the man Fastening !
down the street, smiled and returned !
to his work, or, rather to the maid
He took her by the shoulder whirled I
her about, and shot a look into her |
eyes that quailed her.
always call me hereafter, no mat |
ter what I'm doing That man has !
never laid eyes on Florence and has !
no idea what she looks like. Why did |
you drug my coffee the night of that !
ball?"
She stepped back.
"And how much did they pay you
for letting that doctor send Florence |
to Atlantic City? l know everything. |
Hereafter, walk straight. If you play |
another trick I'll kill you with these
two hands. And listen and tell this |
to your confederates: / always know |
every move they make; that is why no
one is missing from this house. There
Is traitor. Let them find him IL they |
can. VIII you walk straight. or will
you leave?"
IL will walk straight" she fall
tered. "The money was too big a
did they give 1t to your" ]