The Washington herald., 1916-10-08


squared and his jaws set, for he was
very much afraid
In other words, he was planning to
tell Florence Montrose that he loved
? her.
He had told himself weeks earlier
that love must have no place in his
life until he should have achieved
his goal OF solving the Crimson Stain
mystery and of bringing his fathers
murderer to justice
But Of late several things had
changed his resolve. Not only was
his love for Florence growing to an
intensity that made silence a torture,
but he felt that his little sweetheart
needed some more powerful protector
than her visionary and oyerbusy
father. =
Wherefore he had at last como to
his momentous resolution
Felix, the shifty-eyed nnanservant,
admitted him to the big front hall;
but was saved the trouble Of going
In search OF Florence by that young
lady's appearance at the head Of the
stairs. She was descending from the
upper regions Of the house.
I'm 50 glad you're here!" she
hailed the guest as Felix disappeared,
because now I'll be able to show
you my wonderful new toy.
As she spoke she held up for in
spection a camera that was slung by
a strap from her shoulder.
+ +, =
"a new camera, eh?" commented
Stanley. But what's the excitement7
You have no less than three already.
gave you one Of them myself.
And"
But this Is different" she ex-
planned 'LookI That queer-shaped
adjustable lens is the famous micro
scopic lens attachment you've read
50 muck about in the scientific maya
zines. It is really microscope. II
will photograph details that the
naked eye can hardly see. 1t will
take by picture Of the very
ttniest leaf or insect. It's wonderful.
Come along and help me experiment
with It We might photograph a"
Hold onl I'd be glad to help you In
any deep scientific researches you
choose. But not Just now, II you don't
mind You see-rye something terri
bly, important to tell you. And, IL I
wait, I'm afraid my courage will give
out"
rs It something new about the
Crimson Stain?" she asked eagerly.
NO" he returned. It's nothing
about the Crimson Stain. And it's
nothing new. It's the very Oldest
story in all the world; and the very
sweetest. May I tell it to you, dear?'
Impulsiyely he caught both her lit
tie hands IN his -
SF1orence!" he said, his voice low
and vibrant. you must surely know
what want to say. You must have
Known all along how L"
He got no further. A heavy step
sounded on the landing Of the stairs
tust above where he and Florence
stood Stanley knew the step Of Or.
Montrose.
Presently, seeing that the doctor
had no intention of going back to his
laboratory and that his own chances
OF q word alone with Florence were
very light, Harold decided sulkily
that he must postpone his proposal
should be busy or else away from
home.
= y =
Scarcely had the doctor quilted his
laboratory, i've minutes earlier, on
his way downstairs to Florence and
Stanley, when Felix had giided 81
lsntly down the hallway of the
laboratory wing and had tried the
door. Fifty times during the past
few months he had done this, In his
employers brief absences from the
laboratory. But almost always the
spring lock held the door tight shut
against him.
Today, however, the door chanced
70 be on the latch. Felix thrilled
with excitement at his own good luck.
He had always been norbidly curious
about this mysterious room. And now