The Washington herald., 1916-11-28
CHAPTER XIII.
"Despoiling Brutes."

r LoRENcE MoNTRosE
- raped for nearly three min
HI & utes at the locked door Of
- her fathers laboratory be-
fore she received any reply to her
summons. And at each futile tap her
pretty lips pouted with impatience
and her little foot tapped more and
more sharply on the polished hard
wood of the upper hallway floor.
At last she heard slow steps cross
the laboratory. Then followed fum-
bling at the lock. The door opened
and Montrose appeared.
I've nearly worn my knuckles to
the bone banging at this horrid door,"
she pouted. do you always keep
people waiting so long?"
when get to puttering over my
experiments" he evaded. I'm so alb
sorbed in what I'm doing that I never
hear anything" ..
Then IT is time you reformed" de-
clared Florence. with an air Of posi-
tive flnality. I've come up here to
tell you something tremendously i'm
portant. So brace yourself to hear
thrilling bit of news"
"Of news?" he asked, troubled.
'What news?"
"It's this!" she confided. Outside
the sun is shining gloriously. And
the wind is from the south. And the
birds are singing"
"YeS?" he prompted, as she paused
"wen?"
WELL" replied Florence. That's
the news. I came all the way up here
to tell you. Because l knew you'd
never, never find 1t out for your
self, in this dingy old laboratory. The
day is too lovely for working over a
lot of silly experiments. I've come
to take you away with me, some
where"
I'm busy. darling" he said. as II
speaking to a spoiled child. Il
haven't time to leave my work today.
Tomorrow, perhaps. i
Then I'm going to discipline you"
she laughed. into being more obedi-
ent. I'll sit here, till"
A discreet knock at the laboratory
door interrupted her. She noticed
with curiosity the look Of worry that
crossed her fathers indulgentiy smil-
ing face as he went to the door.
Felix stood outside. He had come
to announce Harold Stanley's arrival
Florence. at sound Of Stanley's name.
wholly forgot her intention to coerce
DR.. Montrose into submission. She
ran eagerly downstairs to greet the
visitor.
The doctor looked affectionately
after her; then, as she vanished down
the stairway, he turned back with
sigh, to his laboratory. On the thresh-
old he halted with a sharp exclama-
ton of surprise and annoyance.
In front of him was Vanya Tosca-
So quietly had she slipped into the
room that DR.. Montrose was not
aware Of her presence until he was
face to face with her.
How did you get In here?" he
rasped.
BY the usual way" was her light
reply.
"Tve told you to keep out. all Of
you," said Montrose harshly.
Dear mel" cooed Vanya, mock
ingly, as she moved closer to her irate
host. ITO hear you talk. would
almost think you weren't glad to see
me-"
TIN not!" he returned. brushing
away the soft hand she laid SO cling
ingly on his shoulder. What do you
want?"
What a question" she exclaimed,
in the same tone Of raillery. What
do you suppose I want? To make
you come out with me into the SUM-
sfine?"
You were sneaking around here
and heard"
IT heard your pretty daughter talk
ing with you. Yes, I'm glad you
didn't let her take you out into the
sunshine as she begged to.
Your place is here, in the shadows,
dear DR.. Montrose. Where you can
best serve your patients"
What do you want?" sharply re-
peated the doctor. angered at her
slurring mention Of Florence.
Vanya Tosca sighed wearily, as
one compelled to teach an old lesson
over again to a stupid child.
"Why do we have to go through
this tiresome scene every time any
Of US come for treatment" she de-
manded. "You know you've got to
give it to US. You daren't refuse.
Pierre La Rue is your master, DIR.
Montrose. You cannot say mo- when
Pierre La Rue says yes Or when
I say It in his name"
As she spoke she made q seemingly
aimless gesture with her appraised
right arm. At sight Of it, the doctor
f1inched, as II at blow.
After q moment Of fierce irresolu-
tion he groaned and crossed to the
apparatus.
Ten minutes later vanya quilted
the laboratory. Instead Of leaving
the house by her usual route she
hesitated on the upper landing, then
hearing voices In the library below,
she began silently to descend the
broad staircase.
She had recognized the gayly chat
ting voices as Harold Stanley's and
F1orence's. Outside the library door
she paused, 1istening-just as Flor
! ence said:
yes, he's working too hard and
he goes out too little. I was trying
to coax him into going horseback
riding with US when Felix told me you
were here. But It was no use."
Couldn't you persuade him?" re-
turned Stanley. ct should think any
one not made Of adamant would sue
cumb to your pleading"
You would not think anything of
fha COrf - 1A ho1f last