Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-02-11

suit yourself, then. The sooner you
understand that am determined to
marry Storm, in spite of all your OBJ
jections, the sooner peace will come to
this house."
Baird had good control over himself |
1t was very difficult to resist the |
charm of this high spirited girl He |
silently cursed the real Hassam Ali |
for outlining q cold aloOfness toward |
this girl, Well, in little while he
would be free of this damnable wig
and the painted lines on his face and
the stOop in his shoulders.
Neither ZudOra nor Storm saw any
one they knew well, but the music
was good. and they enjoyed the dane
ing. Zudora was warmly welcomed
by Nine. Du Val. They saw Hassam
Ali at the beginning Of the festivities
but after the first dance he vanished
And with good reason. He had dodg-
ed into n dressing room and removed
his Hassam All makeup, determined
to meet ZudOra under his own colOrs.
lie udu DluNtu u utIu buL SN'Ns
controlling both his facial muscles and
the tone Of his voice. He was rea-
sonaby positive that Zudora would
not have the least idea what or who
he was. He Immediately sought Nine.
Du Val.
~ want an introduction to Zudora,"
he said.
IAN introduction to Zudora! Good
heavens, forgot! or course she
will not recognize you. SO you want
m introduction? You shall have it
And now listen carefully The men
are back of the wall leading to the con-
servatory. The wall has secret door.
At 10 O'Clock promptly you must ma
neuver her over there. At the same
time | will occupy John Storm, keep
him busy. When he finally misses Zu-
dora he will not be able to point In
any way to me-"
II get the point. But II she begins
to ask questions, due to that mysteri
GUS note of yours about the boy Van
Wick"
Nine. Du Val smiled. Leave all the
details to me, my friend. Tomorrow
your Zudora will be just where you
want her." Under her breath she add
ed: perhaps"
Every well; introduce me-" And un-
der his breath he added: "You tiger
cat! You mean some trickery that
shant be in on. But II you harm one
hair Of her headw Still. his lips were
smiling all the while.
The introduction took place. That
instructive warning as OF old did not
stir Zudora. This rather agreeable
young man In no wise created any sus-
picion In her mind. And when she
accepted an invitation to dance she
was pleased to find u nimbe dancer
Storm, however. did not tnke to this
new man. AS matter Of fact he did
not take to any young man where Zu.
dora was concerned. So he fretted and
fumed during the dance and regretted
that he had been persuaded to come.
Nine Du Val talked, but he never
| could recall what she talked about
| Finally Baird brought IudOra back
i bowed and made Off elsewhere. rather
Il satisfied that he had made some i'm
| preston upon his whilOm niece.
| Come" said madame to both Zudora
| and Storm, "let us 20 to the conserva
| tory. | have some remarkable or
chids."
She led the way, and II occurred to
| her that this moment would he as good
as any. She rather wanted Baird ont
of the way while dispOsing OF Iudora.
In the corridor there was wall seat.
The entrance TO the conservatory was
at the other end OF the corridor.
LET US sit here for moment" said
the hostess. "Air Storm will get us
an ice. and then we'll take look at
: the orchids"
& The two women sat down and Storm
. hurried Off toward the supper room.
u Mime. Du Val leaned back and absent
4 ly tapped the wall with her fan.
n "Wait Just moment" she said, ris-
n Ing. ~ will get you an orchid before
e Mr.. Storm returns"
Zndora watched her complacently.
n She sensed no danger whatever. Per
3 haps her mind was too busy with this
t. problem of the Van Wick boy. Some
II one In this house knew; some one had
K warned her to keep away. She won
!, dered II she dared tell Nine. Du Val
q who seemed to be an agreeable crea
u ture. She heard slight sound and
turned.
e Immediately she was seized by strong
arms. A hand covered her mouth and
!" she was drawn swiftly behind the
K wall, which closed Instantly into place
again. She felt her hands and ankles
l. being tied. and she was bllndfolded
b and gagged. No one spoke. She wal