The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-21


you to beg for my love-"
Elaine looked at her nonplused.
"Yes." she continued, you. do not
know It. but Craig Kennedy 10 infatu-
ated with you" She paused again.
then added. "But he is engaged to me-"
Elaine stared at the woman. She
was dazed. She could not believe It.
There is the ring" F1irty F1orrie
added. indicating . very impressive
paste diamond.
Quickly she reached into her bag
and drew out two photographs, with
out word. handing them to Elaine
There's the proof" Torris said
simply. choking sob. u
Elaine looked with q start Sure
enough, there was the neat living room
in the house on Prospect avenue. In
one picture Florrie had her arms over
Kennedy's shoulders. In the other.
apparently. they were passionately
kissing.
Elaine slowly laid the photographs
on the table.
"Pleass-pleass, Miss Dodge-give
me back my lost love. You are rich
and beautiful am poor. have only
my good looks. But-I-I love HIM
and he-loves me-end has promised
to marry me-"
Florrie had broken down completely
and was weeping softly into lace
handkerchief.
She moved toward the door. Elaine
| followed her.
"Jennings-please see the lady to
the door"
Back in the drawing-room. Elaine
seized the photographs and hurried
into the library where she could be
alone.
Just then she heard the bell and
Kennedy's voice, in the hall.
"How are you this afternoon" Ken.
nedy greeted Elaine gayly.
Elaine had been too overcome by
what had Just happened to throw II
OF SO easily. and received him with
studied coolness.
Still. Craig. manlike, did not notice
| II at once. In fact, he was too busy
, gazing about to see that neither Jen.
nings, Marie nor the duenna Aunt Jo-
sephine were visible. They were not
and he quickly took the ring from
his pocket. without waiting. he
showed 1t to Elaine.
Elaine very coolly admired the ring,
as Craig might have eyed a specimen
on a microscope slide. Still. he did
not notice.
He took the ring. about to put It
on her finger. Elaine drew away.
| Concealment was not in her frank ma.
| ture.
She picked up the two photograp phs.
What have you to say about
those?" she asked cuttingly.
! Kennedy, quite surprised, took them
and looked at them. Then he let them
fall carelessly on the table and
dropped into a chair, his head back In
. burst Of laughter. +
'Why-that was what they put over
on Walter" he said. "He called me
up early this afternoon-told me he
had discovered one of these poisoned
kiss cases you have read about in the
papers. Think of it-all that to pull
concealed camera! Such an elabo.
rate business-just to get me where
they could fake this thing. / sup.
pose they've put someone up to say.
ing she's engaged?"
Elaine was not so lightly affected
But" she said severely, repressing
her emotion, Il don't understand, Mr..
Kennedy, how scientific inquiry, into
the poisoned kiss could necessitate
this sort of thing"
She pointed at the photographs &C.
cusingly.
But" he began, trying to explain.
mo buts." she interrupted.
Then you believe that T."
"How can you, as scientist, ask me
to doubt the camera?" she insinuated
very coldly turning away.
Kennedy rapidly began to see that
1t was far more serious than he had a,
first thought
Very WE'LL" he said with touch OF
! impatience. IF my word is not to be
taken-I-I'll-"
He had seized his hat and stick.
Elaine did not deign to answer.
Then, without word, he e/stalked
out Of the door.
Kennedy was moping in the labora
tory the next day when came in.
Say, Craig" began, trying to over
come his At of blues.
Kennedy. filed with his own
thoughts. paid no attention to me-
Then he jumped up.
by George WILL" he muttered.
i poked my head out of the door in
time to see him grab up his hat and
coat, and dash from the room, put
ting his coat on as he went
Hes nut today" exclaimed to
myself.
Though did not know yet of the
quarrel, Kennedy had really struggled
with himself until he was willing to
put his pride in his pocket and had
made up his mind to call on Elaine
again.
AS he entered he saw that 1t was
really Of no use. for only Aunt. Jo
sephine was in the library.
"Oh, Mr.. Kennedy" she said limo.
Gently enough, I'm so sorry she isn't
here Tharaso haau sovpaftiog %ro,,