The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1915-02-25

reads about in the Persian tales. As
a matter Of fact, after the second
sneeze he had gone up to the roof,
got out by the trap, and jumped
rather risky business, TOTO the next
roof and had clambered down the IRE
escape of the second building. He
was swearing inaudibly. After all
these days Of care and planning, after
all his cleverness In locating the rem.
devious Of the Black Hundred, and
now to lose his advantage because
Of an uncomfortable sneeze! He would
never dare go back, and just when he
was beginning to pick up fine bits OF
information! So Florence Hargreave
was going to have q new father In
day or 80? There were some clever
rogues among this band of theirs; but
their cleverness was well Offset by an
equal number Of fools.
Yes, there were some clever rogues,
and to prove this assertion Braine
secured q taxicab and drove furiously
away, his destination the home OF his
ancient enemy. He dropped the cab
. block or two away and presently
slowed himself away In the summer
house at the left Of the lawn. It would
have been capital idea-that is. II
the other man had not thought Of and
anticipated this very thing. So he
used a public pay station telephone;
and Braine waited in vain, waited
till the lights in the Hargreave house
went out one by one and it became
wrapped In darkness within and moon
shine without.
Braine was a philosopher. He re-
turned to his waiting taxicab, drove
home, paid the bill, smiling grimly.
and went to bed. It was going to be
q wonderful game of blind mans bun,
and it was going to be sport to watch
this fool Paroff blunder into pit
The next afternoon Florence and
Norton sat In the summer house talk
ing Of the future. Lovers are prone
to talk of that. AS II anything else
IN the world ever equals the present!
They talked Of nice little apartments
and vacations in the summer and how
much they would save out of his
salary, and thousand and one other
things which would not interest you
at all IL l recounted them in detail.
But they did love each other. and they
were going to be married; you may be
certain of that. They did not care
q snap Of the finger what Jones
thought. They were going to be mar
ried, and that was all there was to 1t.
OF course. Florence couldn't touch q
penny OF her fathers money. If he,
Norton, couldn't take care of her with
out help. why, he wouldn't be worth
the powder to blow him up with.
But, my dear, you must be very
careful" he said Jones and will
always be about somewhere. If they
really get hold of you once, God alone
knows what will happen. It Is not
you. it is your poor father they want
to bring out into the open. II they
knew where he was they would not
bother you In the least"
Have really father? Sometimes
! doubt. Why couldn't he steal into
Ae house and see me, just once?"
Perhaps he dares not. This house
= always watched, night and day,
though you'll look in vain to discover
any one. Your father knows best what
he is doing. my dear girl You see.
I met him years ago In China; and.
when he started out to do certain
thing he generally did it. He never
botched any of his plans. So we all
must wait. Only I'm going to marry:
you all the same, whether he likes it,
or not. The rogues will try to imposes
upon you again; but do not pay any!
attention to notes or personals In the
papers. And it was lucky thing that
i was on the freighter that picked you!
up at sea. shall always wonder how
that yacht took fire."
$50 shall l." replied Florence, her,
brows drawing together In puzzle
ment. Sometimes think must have
done 1t. You know, people out of their
heads do strange things. / seem to
see myself as In q dream. And this
man Braine is scoundrel!"
Yes; and more than that, he is
the dear friend of the countess. But
understand, you must never let her
dream or suspect that you know. By