Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-06-11

Jennings springing forward to part the
portieres for her and passing through
the room quickly where F1irty Florrie
sat waiting. Flirty Florrie rose and
stood gazing at Elaine, apparently
very much embarrassed, even after
Jennings had gone.
ut is embarrassing" she said final
ly, "but, Miss Dodge, have come to
you to 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 Florrie 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-give
me back my lost love. You are rich
and beautiful am poor. have only
my good looks. Butt love him
and he-loves me-and has promised
to marry me-"
Florrie had broken down completely
and was 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 it
off so easily, and received him with
studied GOODNESS
Still, Craig, manlike, did not notice
it at once. In fact, he was too busy
| gazing about to see that neither Jen
nings, Marie nor the duenna Aunt 10
sephine we're visible. They were not
and he quickly took the ring from
his pocket. Without waiting, he
showed it to Elaine.
Elaine very coolly admired the ring
as Craig might have eyed specimen
on a microscope slide. STILL he die
not notice.
He took the ring, about to put il
on her finger. Elaine drew away
Concealment was 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 then
and looked at them. Then he let then
fall carelessly on the table ant
dropped into chair, his head back il
burst of laughter.
"Why-that was what they put ovel
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 it-all that to pull
a concealed camera! Such an elabo
rate business-just to 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, 81 don't understand, Mr.
Kennedy, how scientific inquiry int
the poisoned kiss could necessitat,
this sort of thing"
She pointed at the photographs &C
cusingly.
But" he began, trying to explain
mo butts" she interrupted.
Then you believe that /"
How can you, as a scientist, ask M
to doubt the camera?" she insinuated
very coldly turning away.
Kennedy rapidly began to see tina
it was far more serious than he had a
first thought.
Very WE'LL" he said with touch O
impotence, eff my word is not to b
taken-I-I'll-"
He had seized his hat and stick.
Elaine did not deign to answer
Then, without a word, he stalke
out of the door.
Kennedy was moping in the labors
tory the next day when came in.
Say, Craig" began, trying to over
come his fit of blues.
Kennedy, filled with his ow
, thoughts, paid no attention to me
Then he jumped up.
by George WILL" he muttereG
Il l poked my head out of the door i
time to see him grab I'D his hat an