Putnam patriot., 1915-07-30

have known the girls father
 intimately and offered this as
 \ an explanation of his visit After brief interview that satisfied his curiosity and did little to arouse hers, he took his departure, and straightway began plotting the imme- diate steps next to be made. So cum ningly did he contrive his mesh or ehicanery that the miserable victim in the tolls Aever suspected even that he was the agent of her anguish ThrouSh the bought offices of confederate, who had no suspicion as to his iden- tity, Andrew so arranged matters that Margaret Flint was accused of theft. The stolen brooch of her mistress Was found in the girls trunk. On such circumstantial evidence it was easy to secure conviction of one who had neither money nor friends to plead in her behalf Sine was sentenced to two years in fhe woman's reformatory.
 But it was no part of the Master Minds plan that the girl whom he had thus stricken by his arts should languish in prison throughout the whole term of her sentence. II was sufficient for his purposes that the stigma had been inflicted on her. He waited for six months and then enter ed on the second stage of his opera tions. First he paid visit to the wretched object of his mae hinations. He professed profound sorrow over the plight in which he found her, and promised to use every endeavor in her behalf by gaining the services of cer- tain influential politicians with whom he enjoyed friendly relations.
 As a matter of fact, however, An drew called on only one man for as sistance. and that no friend. With a new type wheel on the small machine which he had brought with him in the suit case from New York. he concocted most explicit letter to politician of Chicago, who had risen from the ranks by ways best known to himself The Master Mind pointed out that it would be well for the politician to secure forthwith the release of Margaret Flint on probation Otherwise some curi- GUS facts in the history of the poli- tician would be turned over 10 the pub lie prints X few details as to the na- ture of such revelations were given. and. as he read them. the politicians forid complexion faded to a mottled ashen and his hands uemhled strange ly. Within three days Margaret Flint was released from custody and jus outside the walls of the reformatory she found waiting her fathers friend.
 "I'll be your friend" be said to her when they were alone together In the parlor of a quiet Chicago hotel. Your father was kind to me l have no chil- dren of my own or any one depending on me Your father is dead, so l can't repay his goodness to me So I mean to take care of you You have had n mighty hard time of 1t so far. You drudge. you haNe been in prison. Of course know you were innocent for I believe what you tell me. But the world doesn't know The only way to make your future life happy is just to bury all the past forever Maggie Flint the nursemaid, who was sent to iaH. is dead from this second and buried. Now. whom shall we resurreet in her steady He smiled quizzically In response, to the girls expression of sheer ama2ament. "I am not rich" he went on frankly, "but ! have com f0rtable fortune enongh SO that l can educate yor as a lady and keep yoa fairly well afterwarl without your having to worry ever again about work.
 its like a story I read once" the girl breathed tremulously The shriiI voice had sunk 10 a softer register. The sapphire eyes were glowing with the naive happiness of child
 .Yes. il Is ike story" the Master Mind asseuted But, first of all" he continued, "you must go to school I've been making some inquiries he ex- plaiHed pleasantly. and I've found ont that there's just the place for you over in a private school in France. You see. Margaret. you're bit too old for the regular school in this country"
 France" the girl repeated.
 Yes Andrew went on briskly. That school will be just the place for