Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1915-06-11
CHAPTER III.

after the departure of the police with
the bogus detectives. 1t had been a
very difficult corner to wriggle out of,
all because Braine had added to his
plans after she had left the apart
ment. But for the advent of the med
ding reporter the coup would have
succeeded, herself apparently perfect
ly innocent of completely. That must
be the keynote of all her plans: to ap.
pear quite innocent and leave no trail
behind her. She had gained the con.
fdence of Florence and her compan.
ion. And she was rather certain that
she had impressed this lazy-eyed re
porter and the stolid butler. She had
told nothing but the truth regarding
her relationship They would find that
out, She was Katrina Pushkin's cousin
But blood with her counted as naught
She had room in her heart but for two
things, Braine and money to spend on
her caprices
How long has your highness known
Mr.. Braine?" asked the reporter idly,
as he smoothed away ell signs of his
recent conflict.
20, the better part of a year. Mr..
Hargreave did not recognize me the
other night That was quite excus,
able, for when he last saw me | was
not more than twelve. My child" she
said to Florence, build no hopes re
garding your mother, She is doubt
less. dead. Upon some trivial matter
do not know what it was-she was
confined to the fortress. That was
ceventeen years ago. When you enter
the fortress at st. Petersburg, you
cease to be-"
THAT is true enough"
IT did not recall myself to your ia,
Their. l did not care at that moment
to shock him with the remembrance OF
the past Is not Mr.. Braine a re
markable MANI" All this in her charm.
ing broken English.
"He is, indeed affirmed Norton.
Hes a superb llnguist, knows every
body and has Travelled everywhere
No matter what subject you bring UP
he seems we'll Informed"
"Come often" urged Florence.
Il shall, my child. And any time
you need me, call for me. After all, ]
am nearly your aunt You will find
life in the city far different from that
which you have been accustomed to-"
She limped down to her limousine.
In tripping up Norton he had stepped
upon her foot heavily
''She is lovely!" cried Florence.
well, must be on my way, Also"
man, Miss Florence So is Jones here.
Never go any place without letting
him know; not even to the corner
drug store. l am going to find your
father. Some one was rescued. I'm
going TO find out whether it was the
aviator or Mr.. Hargreave."
Jones drew in deep breath and his
eyes closed for moment. At the
door he spoke to the reporter.
"What do you think of that WON.
an?"
Il believe that she told the truth.
She is charming"
sShe is. But for all her charm and
truth cannot help distrusting her. /
have an idea. shall call up your Of
flee at the end of each day. If day
comes without call, you will know
that something is wrong"
"a very good idea" Norton shook
hands with everyone and departed.
"What brave, pleasant young
mani" murmured Susan.
II like him, too; and I'd like him
for friend" said the guileless girl.
"It {; very good to have friend
like Mr.. Norton" added Jones; and
passed out into the kitchen All the
his shoulders lay the burden of the
cooking till such time when he could
reinstate the cook
There was stormy scene between
Braine ard the princess that night
care you in your dotage?" she asked
vehemently
There there; bring your voice
down bit. Where's the girl?"
'In her home. Where did you sup
pose she would be, after that botch-
work of letting me go to do one thing
while you had in mind another? And
an ordinary pair of cutthroats, at
that!"
THE thought came to me after you
left | knew you'd recognize the men
and understand / see no reason why
it didn't work"
1t would have been all right If you
had consulted clairvoyant."
What the deuce do you mean by
that?" Braine demanded roughly.
II mean that then you would have
learned your friend the reporter was
to arrive upon the scene at its most
vital moment"
What, Norton?'
Yes. The trouble Is with you, you
have been so successful all these years
that you have grown overconfident.
tell you that there is a desperately
shrewd man somewhere back of all
this. Mark me, do not believe Hair
greave is dead. He is in hiding. 1t
may be near by He may have dropped