American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-02-11

A Little MeIodrama Arranged for the
Benefit of Florence.
wicked; but ! rather like to prove my
theory that all men are weak. If l
had a daughter I'd rather have her be
an old mans darling than a young
mans drudge. / distrust every man /
know. / came to ask you and Susan
to go to the opera with me tonight.
You will come to my apartments first.
You will Gomez"
ITO be sure we will"
Simple little fool" thought the
Russian on the way home. "She shall
see."
Il believe the countess is engaged
to be married." said Florence to
J Jones.
Indeed, miss?"
Yes. I couldn't get anything def
mite out of her, but she had a beauti-
full ring on her finger. She wants
Susan and me to go to the opera with
her tonight. VIII that be all right"
Jones gazed abstractedly at the rug.
Whenever a problem bothered him he
seemed to find the SO ntion in the deli,
cate patterns of the Persian rugs. FL
nally he nodded. Il see no reason
why o should not go. Only, watch
out"
Jones, there is one thing that will
make me brave and happy. Will you
tell me II you are in direct commu-
nication with my father"
Yes, Miss Florence" he answered
promptly. But do not breathe this
to a single soul, neither Susan nor
Norton"
i promise that. But, ah! hasten
the day when he can come to me
without fear"
That is my wish ALSO"
You need not call me miss. Why
should your"
1T might not be wise to have any
one hear me call you thus Familiarity"
he objected ~gravely.
please yourself about that. Now ]
must telephone jim"
"Jim?" the butler murmured.
c tah6ht thO WOlu WHICH WIS NOT
intended for his ears. But for once
Jones had been startled out of him
self.
is 1t wrong for me to call Mr.. Nor
ton JIM" she asked with a bit OF
banter.
1T Is not considered quite the prop
er thing, Miss Florence, to call a
young man by his first name unless
you are engaged to marry him, or
grew up with him from childhood"
We'll. supposing l were engaged to
him." haughtily.
That would be a very grave affair.
What have you to prove that he may
not wish to marry you for your
money!"
why Jones. you know that I
haven't a penny in the world I can
call my own! There is nothing to
prove, except you word. that am
Stanley Harsreave's daughter"
mo. there is nothing to prove that
you are his daughter. But hasn't it
ever occurred to you that there might
be a purpose back of this? Might II
not be Of inestimable value that your
fathers enemies should be le.. in
doubt? Might 1t not be a ean of
holding them on the leash? There ia
proof. ample proof. my child: and
when the time comes these will be
shown you. But meantime put all
thought of marrying Mr.. Norton out
OF your mind"
That | refuse to do" quietly. 81
am at least mistress of my heart:
and no one shall dictate to me whom
| shall or shall not marry. love Mr..
Norton and he loves me, knowing that
may not be an heiress after all. And
some day | shall marry him"
Jones bowed. This seemed to an
pear final to him, and nothing more
was to be said.
Norton did not return to his rooms
till seven. He found the elephone
call and also a note in a handwriting
unfamiliar. He tore of the envelope
m found the contents to be from the
Countess Perigor.
Call at eight tonigh>." he read. .I
have IN IMPORTANT news story for Won
~ Ho ohe, as L cannot De involved
In the case. Cordially. Olga. Countess
P~erigor."
Humph! Norton ~twiddled the note
IN his fingers and at length rolled II
into a ball and threw 1t into the waste
basket. He. too. made a mistake: he
should have kept that note. He
dressed. dined. and hurried OF to the
apartments OF the countess.
He arrived ten minutes before Flor
ence and Susan.
And Jones did some rapid telephon-
ing.
How long. how long." the butler
murmured. How long would this
range combat last! The strain was
terrible. Ho slept but little during
the nights for his aars a -