The Ely miner., 1915-06-18
Elaine moved into the drawing room. |

Elaine looked at her nonplused.
YES" she continued, you do no
know 1t, but Craig Kennedy is infatu
ated with YOU" She paused again
then added. "But he is engaged to me-
Elaine stared at the woman. Sh,
was dazed. She could not believe 1t
There Is the ring" Fqirty Florri,
added. indicating very impressiv,
paste diamond.
Quickly she reached into her bas
and drew out two photographs, with
out word. handing them to Elaine
There's the proof" F1orrie sait
simply. choking sob.
Elaine looked with a start. Sure
enough, there was the neat living room
in the house on Prospect avenue. II
one picture F1orrie had her arms ovel
Kennedy's shoulders. In the other
apparently. they were passionately
kissing.
Elaine slowly laid the photograph.
on the table.
"Please-please, Miss Dodge-givt
me back my lost love. You are ricl
and beautiful am poor. have only
my good looks. But-I-I 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 tc
the door"
Back in the drawing-room, Elaine
seized the photographs and hurried
into the library where she could be
zioce
Just then she heart tse bell ant
Kennedy's voice in the haE.
How are you this afternoon" Ken
nedy greeted Elaine gayly.
Elaine had been too overcome by
what had just happened to throw il
of so easily, and received him will
studied coolness.
Still, Craig, manlike, did not notice
1t at once. In fact, he was too busy
gazing about to see that neither Jen
nings, Marie nor the duenna Aunt 10
sephine were visible. They were no,
and he quickly took the ring fron
his pocket. Without waiting. ht
showed it to Elaine.
Elaine very coolly admired the ring
as Craig might have eyed a specimen
on a microscope slide. Still, he die
not notice.
He took the ring, about to put II
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 them
and looked at them. Then he let them
fall carelessly on the table anG
dropped into chair, his head back In
a 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. i sup
pose they've put someone up to say
ing she's engaged?"
Elaine was not so lightly affected
But" she said severely, repressine
her emotion, 81 don't understand, Mr.
Kennedy, how scientific inquiry into
the poisoned kiss could necessitate
this sort of thing"
She pointed at the photographs &C
cusingly.
But" he began, trying to explain
mo buts," she interrupted.
Then you believe that +"
"How can you, as scientist, ask me
to doubt the camera?" she insinuated
very coldly turning away.
Kennedy rapidly began to see that
it was far more serious than he had al
first thought.
Very WELL" he said with touch oi
impatience, "if my word is not to be
taken-I-I'll-"
He had seized his hat and stick.
Elaine did not deign to answer
Then, without word, he stalked
out Of the door.
Kennedy was moping in the labora
tory the next day when l came in.
"Say, Craig" began, trying to over
come his fit Of blues.
Kennedy, filed with his owr
thoughts, paid no attention to me
Then he jumped up.
"By George WILL" he muttered
I poked my head out of the door in
time to see him grab up his hat and
coat sDi dash from the room, put
ting his. coat on as he went.
Hes nut today" l exclaimed to
myself
Though l did not know yet of the
quarrel Kennedy had really struggled
with himself until ae was willing to
put his pride in his pocket and had
made up his mind to call on Elaine
again.
AS he entered he saw that it was
really OF no use, for only Aunt Jo
sephine was In the library.
"Oh, Mr.. Kennedy" she said limo.
Gently enough. I'm so sorry she isn't
here. There's been something trou.
bling her, and she won't tell me what
it is. But she's gone to call on a
young woman, a Florence Leigh,
think"
Florence Leigh" exclaimed Craig
with start and a frown. Let me