The Monticellonian., 1915-05-27

1 Jennings SprlnglnR forward to part the l portieres for her and passing through the room quickly where F'lirty Florrie sat waiting Flirty F1orrie rose and stood gazing at Elaine, apparently very much embarrassed, even after Jennings had gone.
 Tt is embarrassing" she said final ly, but, Miss Dodge, have come to you to beg for my love"
 Elaine looked at her nonplused. Yes" she continued, you do not know it, but Craig Kennedy is infatu- ] ated with you" She paused again, then added, But he is engaged to me. 7" Elaine stared at the woman She was dazed She could not believe it
 There is the ring, Flirty F1orrie added. indicating very impressive paste diamond
 Quickly she reached into her bag and drew out two photographs, with out a word handing them to Elaine
 There's the proof" F1orrie said simply, choking a sob.
 Elaine looked with a 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
 "Please-please. Miss Dodge-give me back my lost love. You are rich and beautiful-I am poor l have only my good looks But--I-I love him and he-loyes. me-and 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 it off so easily, and received him with studied coolness.
 Still, Craig, manlike. did not notice it 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 it 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 na- ture.
 She picked up the two photographs
 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 chair, his head back in a 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 a 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, T don't understand, Mir. the poisoned kiss could necessitate this sort of thing
 She pointed at the photographs ac- cusingly.
 But" he began, trying to explain.
 No buts.' she interrupted
 "Then you believe that I-'
 How can you, as a scientist. ask me to QOuDt the camera! Sle lnS1nuateQ, very coldly turning away
 Kennedy rapidly began to see that it was far more serious than he had at 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 a word, he stalked out of the door.
 
 Kennedy was moping in the labora- tory the next day when I came in.
 Say, Craig, l began, trying to oyer- come his fit of blues
 Kennedy, filled with his own thoughts. paid no attention to me. Then he jumped up
 By George-I will" he muttered.
 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" I 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 it was really of no use, for only Aunt Jo- Capbipa wac in tho lfhrorv
 "Oh, Mir Kennedy" she said inno- gently enough, Pm so sorry she isn't bera Thare's heeu coratbiuo trOu.