The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER XIX.
A Blank Sheet Of Paper.

Florence was e fortnight In recov- |
ering from the shock of her expert |
ence at the masked ball Of the Prin-
cess Parlova, who. by the way, disap-
peared from New York shortly after !
the fire. no doubt because of her fear |
Of the Black Hundred. The fire did
not destroy the house, but most of
the furnishings were so thoroughly
drenched by water that they we're
practically ruined Her coming and
going were nine days wonder, and
then the public found something else
to talk about
Norton was a constant visitor at the
Hargreave place. There was to him a
new interest in that mysterious house,
with it's hidden panels. it's false floors,
its secret tunnels; but he treated
Jones upon the same basis as hitherto.
One thing however: He felt a sense
Of security in regard to Florence such
as he had not felt before So between
assignments he ran out to Riverdale
and did what he could to amuse his
sweetheart Later, they took short
rides in the runabout, and at length
she became as lively as she had ever
been.
But often she would catch Norton
brooding.
What makes you frown like that?'
"Was 1 frowning?" innocently
enough
Il find you this way a dozen times
in an afternoon What is the matter?
Are they after you again?"
Heavens, no. Pm only a vague is
sue They viii not bother me so long
as do not bother them. It has
dwindled into a game of truce"
do you think SOP" eying him curl
ously
why. yes"
Whats the use Of trying to fool
me, jim? If they haven't been after
you, you are sensing a presage Of evil.
Pm not a child any longer Haven't
I been through enough to make me
woman? Sometimes l feel very old.
"To me you are the most charming
in all this wide world No, you're not
a child any longer You are a woman,
brave and patient; and l know that
could trust you with any secret / have
or own. But sometimes a person may
have a secret which is not his and
which he hasn't any right to dis
close"
She became silent for awhile. 81
hate money" she said 81 hate it.
hate it,"
ITS mighty comfortable to have it
around sometimes" he countered-
CAS- in my case. for instance If
were poor and had to work no one
would bother me-"
81 would" he declared, laughing.
Come; let's throw off moods and 60
into town for tea at the Rose Garden;
and if you feel strong enough wen
trip the light fantastic"
They had been gone from the house
less than an hour when a man ran
up the steps of the veranda and rang
the bell. Jones being busy at the rear
of the house. the maid came to the
door.
"Is Miss Hargreave in?" the stran
ger asked.
ND1 AuAhRAAg AN AAAA ANt1NtA ~
close ever so slowly.
}. do yen know where I can fine
her?"
}. The maid eyed him with covert keen
8 ness; then. remembering that the re
d porter was with Florence, said: 90
S believe she is at the Rose Garden thi
d afternoon"
"That is in town."
{ Eyes"
d Thanks" The man turned abrupt.
t and ran down the steps.
l. The maid ran back to Jones.
p "Why didn't you call me?" he dc
o handed impatiently
There wasn't time"
p did you tell him where she was?
r Eyes. But I shouldn't have told hir
if Mr.. Norton had not been with Mis-
5, Florence"
j. Jones ran to the front dashed out
eyed the back Of the man hastenin