The Springdale news., 1915-04-16


 portieres for her and passing through the room quickly where Flirty Florrie sat waiting. Flirty Florrie rose and stood gazing at Elaine apparently very much embarrassed, even after Jennings had gone.
 It is embarrassing, she said final ly, but, Miss Dodge, I have come to you 70 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. Elaine stared at the woman. She was dazed. She could not believe it There is the ring, Flirty Florrie added, indicating a 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" 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 F1orrie 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-giye me back my lost love. You are rich and beautiful-l am poor. have only and he-loves me-and has promised to marry me"
 Florrie had broken dowr 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 1t off so easily, and received him with studied coolness.
 Still, Craig, manlike, did not notice 1t 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 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 a chair his head back in a burst of laughter.
 "Why-that was what they put over on Walter" he said He called ne 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- they could fake this thing sup pose they've put someone up to say ing she's engagedp"
 Elaine was not so lightly affected But, she said severely, repressing her emotion. T don't understand, MT. Kennedy. how scientific inquiry into the poisoned kiss could neeessitate this sort of thing"
 She pointed at the photographs ac- eusingly.
 But" he began, trying to explain. No butts. she interrupted
 Then you believe that r."
 How can you, as scientist, ask me IO dNQpl l4lS 1oiutid Sle llSlAu&lku4 very coldly turning away.
 Kennedy rapidly began to see that it was far more serious than he had al first thought
 Very well, he said with a touch of impotence. If my word is not to be taken-I-I1l-''
 He had seized his lat and stick.
 Elaine did not deign to answer.
 Then, without word, he stalkad cut of the door
 
 Kennedy was moping in the labora. tory the next day when came ill.
 Say Craig, I began, trying to over come his fit of blues.
 Kennedy, filled with his own thoughts, paid no attention to ne, Then he jumped up.
 By George-I will" he muttered. l poked my head out of the door in time to see him grab up his hat and