Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-03-09


the eve Of selling his invention to the
government when he was killed and
his plans stolen.
"Circumstantial evidence pointed to
an international spy named Ekstrom-
Adolph Ekstrom, once chief Of the avn
alton corps OF the German army. cash
tered for general blackguardism-with
a suspicion of treason to boot. How
ever, Ekstrom kept under cover, and
presently the plans turned up in the
German war office. That was a big
thing for Germany; already supreme
with her dirigibles, the acquisition Of
the Huysman stabilizator promised her
ten years lead over the world in the
field of aeroplanes.
Now, yesterday, Ekstrom came. to
the surface in London with those self
same plans to sell to England. Chance
threw him my way, and he mistook
me for the man he'd expected to meet
Downing streets secret agent. Well
no matter howl got the plans from
him and brought them over with me,
meaning to turn them over to France,
to whom, by rights, they belong"
Without consideration" the girl in
quired shrewdly.
Not exactly. l had meant to make
no profit of the affair-Im a bit
squeamish about tainted money-but
under present conditions, if France in
sists on rewarding me with safe con-
duct out of the country. l sha'n't re-
fuse it. Do you approve?"
She nodded earnestly. ut would be
worse than criminal to return them to
Ekstrom."
That's my view of the matter"
But these?" The girl rested her
hand upon the jewel case.
Those go back to Nine. Omber. She
has a home here in Paris that | know
well. In fact, the sole reason why /
didn't steal them here was that she
left for England Unexpectedly, just as
I "a all set to strike. Now / purpose
to use my knowledge Of her house to
restore the jewels without risk of fall
ing into the hands of the police. That
will be an easy matter And that
brings me to the one great favor l
would beg Of you"
She gave him a look so unexpected
ly kind that it staggered him. But he
had himself we'll in hand.
You can't leave Paris now before
morning-thanks to my having over
slept" he continued. There's no hon
est way / know to raise money before
morning opens the pawnshops. But
I'm hoping that won't be necessary;
I'm trusting l can arrange matters for
us without going to that extreme.
Meanwhile-you agree that these jew
els must be r%eturned?"
"Of course" she affirmed gently.
"Then-will you accompany me
when l replace them? There won't be
the slightest danger. l promise you
that. Indeed, it would be more hazard
GUS for you to wait for me elsewhere
while l attended to the matter alone.
And I'd like you to be convinced of my
sincerity"
Don't you think you can trust me
for that as well?" she asked with a
flash of humor.
Trust you'll,
ITO believe. MI. Lanyard" she told
him earnestly, II do believed"
you make me very happy" he said
but I'd like you to see for yourself
And I'd be glad not to have to fret
about your safety in my absence. AS a
bureau of espionage, Popinot's brigade
Of Apaches are without a peer in Eu
rope. I'm positively afraid to leave
you alone"
"That is your sole reason for ask
ing this Of mel" she insisted, eyine
him steadily.
He colored, and boggled his answer
81 can't tell you," he admitted in the
end.
why can't you tell me?"
He stared at her miserably. Eve M
right. In spite Of all I've said il
spite of the faith you SO g%enerousl,
promise me, in your eyes ! must still
figure as a thief, a liar, an impostor-
> self-confessed. Men aren't remade b!
mere protestations, nor even by theil
own efforts, in an hour, or a day, or
, week. But give me a year. II / cal
live a year in honesty, and earn m!
!, bread, and SO prove my strength
, then, perhaps, / might find the cour
|, age, the-the ~effrontery to tell yo1
why I want your good opinion. Nov
I've said far more than l meant or hal
any right to. I hope" he ventures
.. pleadingly. you're not offended"
. Only an instant longer could sh,
. maintain her direct and unflinchinI
|. look. Then his meaning would n
more be ignored. Her lashes fell,
tide Of crimson flooded her face, an,
: with a quick movement, pushing he
: chair a little from the table, she turnet
= away from him. But she said moth
: ing.
i He remained as he had been, bent
ing eagerly toward her.
7 And in the long minute that elapse
before either spoke again, both becam
' oddly conscious Of the silence brood
ing in that lonely little house, Of thei
: isolation from the world, of their con
|, mon peril and mutual dependence.
. Gro BE CoNT1NUED)
y
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