The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-02-05

II Was a Letter on the Back of Which
Was Drawn the Fatal Black Mask.
and defensive fighter may last a
long while, but he seldom wins; and
the butler knew that they must win
or go down in bitter defeat. There
was no half way route to the end;
there could be no draw. 1t all reminded
him of thunderbolts; one man knew
where they were going to strike.
The telephone rang; at the same
moment Florence left the piano. She
stopped at the threshold.
Hello! You? Where have you
been? What has happened?"
Who is it," asked Florence, step
ping forward.
Jones held up a warning hand, and
Florence paused.
Yes, yes; l hear perfectly. o!
You've been working out their new
quarters? Good, good! But be very
careful, sir. One never knows what
may happen. They have been quiet
for some time now. E. All! You
can't work the ceiling this time? &. . =.
Window over the way. Very good,
sir. But be careful"
The word sir" caught Florences
attention. She ran to Jones and seized
| him by the arm.
Who was that?" she cried, as he
turned away from the telephone.
"Why?"
you said sir"
Jones eyes wldened 81 did,"
Yes, and it's the first time ever
heard you use it over the telephone.
Jones, you we're talking to my father!"
please, Miss Florence, do not ask
me any questions. | cannot answer
any. dare not"
"But if l should command, upon
the pain of dismissal?' coldly.
"Ah, Miss Florence" and Jones
tapped his pocket, you forget that you
cannot dismiss me by word. | am le-
gally in control here. | am sorry
that you have made me recall this
fact to you"
Florence began to cry softly.
Il am sorry, very sorry" said the
butler, torn between the desire to
comfort her and the law that he had
laid down for himself. ut is very
gloomy today and perhaps we are
little depressed by it. am sorry"
20, realize, Jones, that all this
unending mystery annd secrecy have
set purpose at back. Only, 1t does
just seem as If should go mad some
times with waiting and wondering"
'And If the truth must be told 1t
is the same with me. We have to
wait for them to strike. Shall l get
you something new to read? am
going down to the drug store and
they have a circulating library"
Get me anything you please. But
I'd feel better with little sunshine"
That's universal" replied Jones,
gong into the hall for his hat.
Had the telephone rung again at
that moment 1t is quite probable that
the day would have come to a close
as the day before had, monotonously.
But the ring came five minutes after
Jones had left the house.
is this the Hargreave placer"
"Yes," said Florence. "Who is it?"
This is Miss Hargreave talking?"
yes"
"This is Doctor Morse. am at the
Queen hotel Mr.. Norton has been
aadly hurt, and he wants you and
Mr.. Jones to come at once. We can
not tell just how serious the injury is.
He is just conscious. Shall tell him
you will come immediately"
YES yes!"
Florence snapped the receiver on
the hook She wanted to fly, fly. He
was hurt How, when, where?
Susan! Susan!" she called.
What is it, Florence?" asked Susan,
running into the room.
Jim is badly hurt. He wants me to
come at once. o, Susan! I've been
dreading something all day long" Flor
ence struck the maids bell. My
wraps. You will go with me. Susan"
Where, Miss Florence" asked the
maid, alive to her duty.
Where? What is that to your" de-
handed Florence, who did not know
thai thiA r>-.l --aAAA detacttHa