The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-25

#s&ssssssnSs III I. SfQ4d WILSON, Who n ms
Imany years of faithful serv~
ice as butler in the Golden
- household had seen many
strange and unusual happen
ings. was at that moment decidedly
perpIexed. Unless his beloved young
mistress had been suddenly bereft Of
her senses why was she indulgiug in
such queer and childish antics out
there in the rose garden,
AS Wilson turned from tho VIM
dow sadly shaking his old bead tho
feet af his sslieiteas -E.lsA tets
turned 10 her red faced companion.
Il think I understand tho code fair
~ well now" she said with quiet
satisfaction. "and you certainly have
been a very efficient teacher"
Don't mention it, Miss Golden"
answered her flattered companion,
Its pleasure to teach a buick
learner like you. an IL you ever want
n Job in the signal corps come to me
for reference"
The man speaking IN this iocular
vein was the redoubtable Captain
taken upon himself to the exclusion
" all other duties the self-assgned
task Of rounding up that knocking and
elusive parsonage known as the
Laughing Mask.
A tfick-set detective now came
briskiy down the -bordered path
and respectfully sa1uted his chief
After n low-toned conference with
l. 4
hirnseIf and hurried away. Left alone
Margory sat down on a rustic bench
close by a Towering bush OF fragrant
lilacs, her hands toying idly with the
mirror as she gave herself up to her
not altogether plea sing thoughts. For
these thoughts, in large measure, con
cerned her fathers secretary. David
Manley, and Of late she had been
greatly disappointed In that young
man
In order to win her love he had
led her TO believe that in the guise
of the Laughing Mask he had pro-
fected her from the Vaccinations of
that arch-aend, Jules f,aFar But
now this shallow pretense had been
ANONYMOUSLY exposed and Margory's
heart was curiously torn between a
deep-rooted affection for the boyish
secretary and hot indignation be-
cause Of his shameful deception.
The silver backed mirror slipped
from the fingers Of the distracted
girl and dropped with a little clatter
on the grayeled walk at her feet.
Reused from her reverie she stopped
TO pick IL up, and as she did so a
curious thing happened, Reflected in
that circular hand-giass was the
image Of a man, peering out through
an opening in the lilac bush. Gov
ering his face was the familiar vel
low mask with the laughing mouth
silt. More determined than ever to
ascertain the identity of her myS-
FERROUS protector. MarEory quickly
lodged around the lilac bush, hoping
BY this flank movement 10 take the
intruder by surprise, But Margory.
herself, was the one surprised. for
no trace Of that masked and evasive
figure rewarded her thorough search.
To her further bewildernent she
suddenly saw David Manley, dressed
N his motorcycle toys, standing on
the other side OF that strangely pro-
ductive bush.
What are you doing here2" she In
qnlred icily. You seem to have ac-
CURED a rather impolte habit Of
startling people by springinG out Of
the ground quite unexpectedly"
AS Davy redeemed under the sting
of this cutting remark he realized
that Nargory's faith in him was de-
cidedly shaken.
I'm awfully sorry 7 ANNOYED
you, Margory," he stammared apolo-
cetieally. but Aunty Kicks over at
the old homestead telephoned / could
have one Of the litter Of collie pups
they're rri@e-winning stock, you
Know. Before ] pick one out /
thought ia ask If YOU had any par
tcn'ar preference for markings"
Aargory promptly and ungratefully
rejected this proposed peace Offering.
'1a71k You, but am not al all in
terested in the prospect Of raising
troublesome puppy she answered
with tuiet scorn as she turned toward
the house.
But, despite her cool treatment of
Davy, Margory sent look Of tender
concern after his detected figure hur-
rying toward the garage that would
have consoled him greatly could he
have seen II. The next moment that
look changed swiftly 10 one of horri-
lied surprise Over the top Of the
fvy-mantled brick wall thanking the
garage slowly appeared a mans head
and shoulders. Then followed lean
fingered hand clutching a glittering
heavy calibered revolver.
She saw Legar raise tho nickeled
revolver and squint with deliberate
and careful aim over the sights. Be
fore she could utter the cry OF warn
ing which was trembling on her lips
the revolver in Legar's hand was sud-
denly lowered and that malignant
faced outlaw slipped ont of sight.
Tho white-lipped girl ssw that Lee
EaTs hurried retreat was due 10 tho
TACT that at the moment he Was about