The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-01-06

till the end of the chapter dead or
alive. ccI can tell me the news at
dinner tonight"
So. later, when the butler accepted
her card at the door. loath as he
might be. there was nothing for him
to do but admit her.
Whom do you wish to see.
madam" stepping back into the shad-
ow.
"Miss Hargreave. I'm an old friend
of her mothers"
There is no such person here"
"To whom, then, does this hat be-
long?" che asked quietly. She waved
her hand indolently toward the hall
rack.
Jones' lips frightened. "That belongs
to Miss Gray. kind of protege of Mr..
Hargreave's."
Indeed! You have no objections
to my seeing her? Ny maiden name
was Olga Pushkin, cousin to Katrina,
wife of Stanley Hargreave. I am, II
you will weigh the matter carefully,
q kind of aunt"
To Jones Il was as II ice had sud-
denly come into contact with his
hearts blood. But as he still stood
in the shadow, she did not observe
the pallor of his face.
"If you will state exactly why you
wish to see her, madam"
"You seem to possess authority"
Eyes, madam, absolute authority"
Jones produced his document and
presented it to her.
"There is no flaw in that" she
agreed readily. 81 wish to see the
child. have told you why"
Very well, madam" Why had
they not telegraphed the child, even
on the train, to return to Farlow's. He
knew nothing Of this woman, whether
she was an enemy or friend. He
conducted his unwelcome guest into
the library.
How did you know that she was
here?" suddenly.
But she was ready. 81 did not. But
the death Of Mr.. Hargreave brought
me. And that youthful hat In the hall
was a story all its own. Later I shall
show you some papers Of my own.
You will have no cause to doubt them.
They have not the legal power Of
yours, but they would find standing in
any court"
Jones turned and went in search Of
Florence.
The princess lost no time in begin
ming her investigations, but she vast
ed her time. There was no secret
panel in evidence.
"Who is she?" asked Florence as
she looked at the card. did my ia
Their know princesses?"
"Yes," said Jones briefly. BE very
careful what you say to her. Admit
nothing. She r'aims to be cousin or
your mother. Perhaps"
MY mother?" Without waiting for
any further advice from Jones, whom
Florence in her young years thought
presuming upon his authority, she ran
downstairs to the library. Her mother,
to learn some fact about the mother
of whom she knew nothing!
"You knew my rother?" she cried
without ceremony.
He heard the princess say: II did,
my child; and heaven is witness that
you are the exact picture of her at
your age. And knew your father"
Jones Strengthened, his hands shut
tightly.
Tell me about my father!"
The princess smiled. 1t was Katrina
Pushkin come to life, the same impul-
siveness. 81 knew him but slightly.
was a mere child myself when he used
to pinch my cheeks. l met him again
the other night, but he did not recog-
nize me; and could not find 1t in my
heart to awaken his memory in pub
lie restaurant"
Presently Jones came in to an
nounce that two detectives requested
to see Florence. The two men en-
tered, informing her that they had
been instructed to investigate the dis
appearance of Stanley Hargreave.
who are you, miss?"
81 am his daughter"
"Ah!"
One of the detectives questioned
Florence infinitely while the other
wandered about the rooms, feeling the
walls, using the magnifying glass,
turning back the rugs. Even the
girls pretty room did not escape his
scrutiny. BY and by he returned to
the library and beckoned to his COM
panion. Tho two conferred for mo-
ment. One CHANGED to look into the
mirror. He saw the bright eyes of
the princess gazing intelligently into
his.
"I'm afraid well have to ask you to
accompany us to the station, miss"
"Why?"
Some technicalities. We must have
some proof of your right to be in
this house. So far as we have learned,
Hargreave was unmarried. 1t will
take but a few minutes"
And | will accompany you." said
the princess. well be back within
half an hour. I'll tell them what |
know"