The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1915-02-19

oP0A AAu CIOSc anu udO tohcu IL LCT
granted that Jones had entered.
There was a tableau of short dura.
ton.
Don't you know me?" asked the
stranger in a s~ingularly pleasant voice. !
Florence had been imposed upon
too many times. She shook her head
defiantly, though hW knees shook so
that she al certain that the least
touch would send her over.
II am your father, child!"
Florence slipped unsteadily behind
the desk and seized the revolver which
lay in the drawer. The man by the
curtains smiled sadly, 1t was a smile
that caused Florence to waver a bit.
Still she extended her arm.
you do not believe me?" said the
man, advancing slowly.
mo, have been deceived too many
times;'sir. Stay where you are. You
will wait here till my butler returns.
Oh, if l were only sure!" she burst
out suddenly and passionately. What
say?"
He came toward her, holding out his
hands. This, that you cannot shoot
me. All, the damnable wretches!
What have they done to you. my child,
to make you suspicious Of every one?
How | have watched over you in the
street! will tell YOU what only Jones
and the reporter know, that the avia.
tor dice, chat l alone was rescued,
that I gave Norton the five thousand;
that l watched the windows OF the Rn*
sian woman, and overheard nearly ev
cry plot hat was Matched in the coun
Gil chamber Of the Black Hundred;
that | was shot in the arm while cross
ing the lawn n night. And now We
have the scoundrels just where w
want them. They will be in this houst
for me within half an hour, and NOT
one Of them will leave it in freedom
l am your father, Florence. l am
the lonely father who has spent
the best years of his life away
from you in order to secure your
safety. Can't you feel the truth of all
this?"
mo, no! Please do not approach
any nearer: stay where you are!"
At that moment the telephone rang.
With the revolver still leveled she
picked tip the receiver.
Hello, hello! Who is It? .
Oh, Jim, Jim. come at once! I am
holding at bay q man who says he ID
my father. Hold him where he is, you
say? All right, I will. Come quick!"
"Jim!" murmured the man, still ad'
vancing. He must have that revolver.
The poor child might spoil the whole
affair. 80 what Jones tells me Il
true: that you are going to marry this
reporter chap"
She did not answer.
with or without my CONSENT"
II only he would drop that fearless
smile! she thought. with or without
anybody's consent" she said.
What in the world car l say to yot
to convince you?" he cried. "The tral
: Is set: but If Braine and his men com,
, and find us like this, good heaven
} child, We are both lost! Come, GOMEZ
Stay where you are!"
At that moment she heard q sou..t
: u. the door. Her gaze roved: and l
wal enough for the He reache,
put and caught her arm. She tried t,
tear herself loose.
r MY child. in Gods name. listen t.
, reason! They are entering the hal
and they will have us both"
e Suddenly Florence knew. She coul'
not have told you why; but there wa
an appeal in the mans voice that wen
to her heart.
. You are my father!"
Yes. yes! But you've found It on
/ Just \ tribe too late, my dear. Quick
this side Of the desk!"
Braine and his men dashed into tn
u library. Olga entered leisurely.
Both Of them!" yelled Braine e,
o ultantly. Both of them together
what luck!"
There was q sharp. fierce struggle
n and when It came to an end Ha1
greave was trussed to a chair.
q "Ah, SO we meet again, Hargreave!
It said Braine.
y Hargreave shrugged. What b
wanted was time.
!! "A million! We have you. WheI
g Is 1t, or III twist your heart befor
n your eyes"
q Father, forgive mel"
IS II understand, m child"
where is IT." Braine seized Flo
1t ence by the wrist and swung her t
ward him
"a Don't tell him. father; don't min
le me-" said the girl bravely.
Braine. smiling his old evil smil
r. drew the girl close. 1t was the la
Ut time he ever touched her.
10 Look" screamed Olga.
20 Every one turned, to see Jones fat
e. peering between the curtains. The
was an ironic smile on the butler
lips. The face vanished.
ig after him." cried Braine, releasir
at Florence.