Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-24
Rzk2GEoR1ASR oMANCE
6r Mr. AND YRS RUPERT VUGHE5 - = 75zz5Fs q,
90 t">' |4 copYapcH1 ToIe BIZ ADEL AIDE ~ HUGHES

>DELAIDE N. AUOHES
always for a new customer, Mulry lost
no time in obeying the summons. He
found Royce in a grim humor and not
at all polite.
"Mr Mulry," Royce began, every word
as sharp as a surgeons knife, you
know more about Richard Freneau's af-
fairs than you would like to tell in the
open court. Miss Stafford is suspicious
OF everybody who ever knew Freneau.
imagined that she will look you up.
Il is the wish of her father and of my
self that she shall not find out what a
scoundrel the man was. We want to spare
her at least till she grows much strong
er and time has healed her wounds lit
tie. 1t is to your interest as much as ours
20 keep her in the dark You know how
those letters were mailed and those
kilograms sent. You know why Ere
neau played that horrible trick on the
poor girl he was engaged to. 1 merely
wish to warn you that II you see Miss
Gloria Stafford coming your way you
get out of her sight, no matter how or
when. If you don't you'll be mixed UP
in a murder trial that may prove dis
astrous to you and your business"
Mulry's usual smile was twisted into
a look of terror. He had more reasons
than even Royce suspected for wishing
to keep the searchlights of the press
and the police out of his Office. He was
uncertain of the manner of Freneau's
death, but the published hints of sui
eide for financial reasons had put Null
~ into new financial difficulties. He
had used the money Freneau had bor-
roNed of Gloria's father to save him
self from a crash. He was afraid that
Stafford would demand it back at any
moment and he could not face such a
demand.
Furthermore, his part in the writing
of the letters and the sending of them
and the kilograms from the various
cities was one that he could not pleas
antly explain. He could think of no
good lie to tell, and the last person on
earth he wanted to meet was Gloria
Stafford.
Fortunately for him, he was at
Royces Office when Gloria arrived at
mis-. She was received by an imperti-
nent young stenographer who seemed
unable to spare time from her gum
chewing and her appraisal of Gloria
looks and clothes to impart any useful
information.
Gloria said she would like to leave a
note for Mr.. Mulry. The stenographer
pointed to a table wherein lay writing
materials. Gloria sat down to invite
Mr.. Mulry to call upon her.
1t seemed treachery of the basest
sort tC discuss such a topic. She
memory of her lover. Her downcast
eyes caught a sparkle in the depth of
her fathers waistcoat pocket. She
knew that 1t was the ring he had taken
from her. He had not yet put it in the
safe or thrown it into the river.
Gloria was startled. Her lips parted
to speak the demand she had come to
make. But her father was staring into
the fire with such a contented look that
she could not bear to start such a
scene as he would be sure to make. He
was a great man for getting what he
wanted and for keeping it, once it was
got.
The diamond blinked at her and
seemed to say: "Steal me. He took
me by force; take me back by stealth.
I belong to you"
Gloria had had no previous expert
ence as n piclSpocket, but she under
stood how exciting the profession must
be. Her father was an unsuspectlnS
and an easy victim. She had only to
lay her cheek against his a blindfold
and while her hair got into his eyes
and made him squirm she recaptured
the ring. She was afraid at once that
he would miss it, speak of it, reach for
it, and find it gone. She dared not lin
ger.
Go back to your cards, you old dar-
ling" she said, kissed him half dozen
goodnights and left
She ran up to her room and set the
ring in place again ON her finger. She
rejoiced in it a moment. Then her
heart sunk Her father would not toll
,rate a combination of disobedience and
robbery. The main thing was TO keep
the ring She put it on a little chain
and fastened it about her neck. And
there she wore it until-untn her quest
was ended and she mad learned the
truth. Much time and many adventures
lay between this night and that day.
Her father went back to his solitaire
and did not miss the ring for hours.
Then he raised a mighty pother. He
had the old butler on all tours looking
everywhere for the ring. He even had
the ashes in the fireplace sifted. He
suspected everybody but Gloria. She
was asleep in a loneliness that was
somewhat assuaged by her fidelity and
her mission.
Now Lois Stafford had also an i'm
portant errand at this office. Her
whole future and reputation lay
in the packet of letters that Freneau
had promised to return to her She was
sure that they were not on his body,
for had they been found the newspapers
or the police would have mentioned