Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1915-06-01

1t was Hargreave he would have had
more than five thousand in hs peck
cts. My friend, believe it an at.
tempt to fool you; or it is another
man entirely" She clicked her teeth
with the tops of her polished nails.
There are two young women in
the house. What the deuce can that
mean?"
1.-TWO young women? o! then ev-
erything's as simple as daylight Kat
rina Pushkin, my cousin, had a child"
Child? Hargreave had child?
What do you mean by keeping this
fact from me?" he stormed.
"It was useless till this moment. He
probably sent for her yesterday; but
in his effort to escape had to turn her
over to his butler. We shall soon
learn whether Hargreave is dead or
alive. We can use the child to brir
him back"
The anger went out Of his eyes
You're a wonder, Olga
"But you should have gone with
Vroon last night. He does everything
just as you tell him. When they re-
ported that Hargreave had visited
Ort's hangar you ought to have pre-
pared against such coup as flight
through the air"
II admit it. But daughter! Well,
can bring him back" with sinister
laugh. "By the Lcrd Harry, I have
him in my hands this time, that is, II
this girl turns out to be his daughter.
A million? Two, three, all he has in
the world want you to pay visit
right away. Watch the butler, Jones.
He'll lie, of course; but note how he
treats the girl; and if you get the
chance look around the walls for
secret panel. He might not have car
ried away the cash at all, only enough
for his immediate needs, which would
account for that five thousand on the
man picked up at sea. If ! could only
get inside that house for an hour!"
II believe I'll call at once. Leo,
was Hargreave the mans real name 2"
Braine laughed. "That is of no vital
consequence. He will be Hargreave
till the end Of the chapter, dead or
alive. You can tell me the news at
dinner tonight"
So, later when the butler accepted
her card at the door, loath as he
might be, there was nothing for him
to do but admit her.
Whom do you wish to see,
madam" stepping back into the shad-
ow.
Miss Hargreave. I'm an old friend
of her mothers"
There is no such person here"
'To whom, then, does this hat be-
long?" she asked quietly. She waved
her hand indolently toward the hall
rack
Jones' lips frightened. THAT belongs
to Miss Gray, kind of protege of Mr..
Hargreave's."
"Indeedi You have no objections
to my seeing her? My maiden name
was Olga Pushlrin, cousin to Katrina,
wife of Stanley Hargreave. l am, II
you will weigh the matter carefully,
kind of aunt"
To Jones it was as if ice had sud
denly come into contact with his
hearts blood. But as he still stood
in the shadow, she did not observe
the pallor of his face.
''If you will state exactly why you
wish to see her, madam"
"You seem to possess authority"
Eyes, madam, absolute authority"
Jones produced his document and
presented 1t to her,
There is no flaw in that" she
agreed readily. 81 wish to see the
child. / have told you why"
Every well, madam" Why had
they not telegraphed the child, even
on the train, to return to Farlow's. He
knew nothing of this woman, whether
she was an enemy or a friend. He
conducted his unwelcome guest into
the library.
"How did you know that she was
here?" suddenly.
But she was ready. II did not. But
the death of Mr.. Hargreave brought
me. And that youthful hat in the hall
was story all it's own. Later shall
show you some papers of my own.
W. WAiA nav nv 11iOOO W uOoOe tAOils
They have not the legal power of
yours, but they would find standing in
any court"
Jones turned and went in search of
Florence.
The princess lost no time in begin
ming her Investigations, but she vast
ed her time. There was no secret
panel in evidence.
who is she?" asked Florence as
she looked at the card. did my ia
Their know princssses?"
'.Yes," said Jones briefly. BE very
careful what you say to her. Admit
nothing. She claims to be a cousin of
your mother. Perhaps"
my mother?" Without waiting for
any further advice from Jones, whom
Florence in her young years thought
presuming upon his authority, she ran
downstairs to the library. Her mother,
to learn some fact about the mother
Of whom she knew nothing!
''You knew my mother?" she cried
without ceremony.