The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-05-27

Elaine moved into the drawing room.
Jennings s%pringing forward to part the
portieres for her and passing through
the room quickly where F1irty Florrie
sat waiting. F1irty Florrie rose and
stood gazing at Elaine, apparently
very much embarrassed, even after
Jennings had gone.
1T Is embarrassing" she said final.
ly, but, Miss Dodge, I have come TO
you TO beg for my love-"
Elaine looked at her nonplused.
YES" she continued. you do not
know II. but Craig Kennedy II 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 t.
There Is the ring" F1irty Florrie
added. indicating q very impressive
paste diamond.
Quickly she reached into her bag
and drew u two photographs. with.
out a word. handing them TO Elaine
There's the proof" Forrie said
SIMPLY CnoklnR q 500.
Elaine looked with a start. Sure
enough. there was the neat living room
In the house OF Prospect avenue. In
n picture F1orrie had her arms over
K%ennedy's shoulders. In the other.
apparently, they were p~assionately
kissing.
Elaine slowly laid the photographs
on the table.
"Please-please. Miss Dodge-give
me back my lost love. You are rich
and Beautiful am poor. have only
my good looks. But-l-I hove him
and he-loves me-and has promised
10 marry me"
Florrie had broken down completely
and vas weeping softly into a 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 II
OF so easily, and received him with
studied GOODNESS.
Still, Craig. manlike. did not notice
II at once. In fact. he was too busy
gazing about 10 see that neither len.
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 IL TO Elaine.
Elaine very coolly admired the ring,
az Craig might have eyed a specimen
on a microscope slide. Still. he did
not notice.
He took the ring. about 10 put II
on her finger. Elaine drew away.
C~oncealment vas not in her frank ma.
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 me
up early this afternoon-told me he
had discovered one OF these poisoned
kiss cases you have read about In the
papers. Think OF tall that 10 pull
a concealed camera! Such an elabo.
rate business-just 10 get me where
they could fake this thing. / sup.
pose they've put someone up TO say
ing she's engaged"
Elaine was not so lightly affected
But" she said severely, depressing
her emotion, Il don't understand, Mr.
Kennedy, hos scientific Inquiry into
the poisoned kiss could necessitate
this sort OF thing"
She pointed at the photographs &C,
c~usingly.
But" he began, trying to explain
NO butts" she interrupted.
Then you believe that l."
How can you. as a scientist. ask me
10 doubt the camera" she ~inslnuated
very coldly turning away.
Kennedy rapidly began 10 see tina,
II was far more serious than be had al
first thought.
Very we'll" he said with q touch OF
impotence. ~ my word Is not 10 BE-
taken-l-lll-"
He had seized his hat and stick.
Elaine did not deign 10 answer.
Then. without q word. he stalkeG
out OF the door.
Kennedy was moping in the labora
tory the next day when ! came in.
Say, Craig" ! began. trying 10 over
come his III OF blues.
Kennedy. filed with his owI
thoughts. paid no attention TO me
Then he jumped UP.
by George WILL" he muttered
poked my head out OF the door II
time 70 see him grab up his hat and
coat and dash from the room, put
I A.