The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-19

Was Drawn the Fatal Black Mask.
and a defensive fighter may last &
long while, but he seldom wins; ant
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 warning hand, and
Florence paused.
Eyes, 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. :. All! You
can't work the ceiling this time? i. :.
Window over the way. Very good,
sir But be CAREFUL
The word "sir" caught F1orence's
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
Yes, and it's the first time l ever
heard you use it over the telephone.
Jones, you were talking to my father!"
Please, Miss Florence, do not ask
me any questions. l cannot answer
any. l 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. l am le-
galIy 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. 1T is very |
gloomy today, and perhaps we are a |
little depressed by it, am sorry"
20, realize, Jones. that all this |
intending mystery annd secrecy have |
/ set purpose at back. Only, it does |
ust seem as if l should go mad some |
lines with waiting and wondering"
"And if the truth must be told, it
s the same with me. We have to
wait for them to strike. Shall | get |
'ou something new to read? 1 am
,oing down to the drug store and
hey have circulating library
Get me anything you please. But
d feel better with a little sunshine"
That's universal" replied Jones,
ong into the hall for his hat.
Had the telephone rung again at
hat moment it is quite probable that
be day would have come to a close
S the day before had, monotonously.
tut the ring came five minutes after
ones had left the house.
rs this the Hargreave place."
Eyes," said Florence. who is it?"
This is Miss Hargreave talking?"
Yes"
This is Doctor Morse / am at the
ueen hotel. Mr.. Norton has been ,
IDLY hurt, and he wants you and |
r. Jones to come at once. We can r
It tell Just how serious the injury is. ;
Q is just conscious. Shall tell him :
IL will come Immediately" :
Yes, yes!"
Florence snapped the receiver on
9 hook She wanted to fly, fly. He ?
Is hurt. How, when, where? >
Susan! Susan!" she called.
What is 1t, Florence?" asked Susan, L
ming into the room.
Jim is badly hurt. He wants me to
me at once. o, Susan! I've been 81
eading something all day long" Flor g
ce struck the maids bell. my 7
APPS. You will go with me, Susan" b
Where, Miss Florence" asked the W
i'd, alive to her duty. q
Where? What Is that to your" de-
nded Florence, who did not know ''