The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-09-14

OWneT, set out Ol loOl ny CiTCullOub
route for the city. Nothing was far
lher from their desire than to be seen
coming from the scene of the tragedy
and to be called as witnesses in the
investigation which was certain to fol-
low its discovery. Day was dawning
ing in the east. before Morton, hav.
ing seen Olga TO her apartment,
reached his hotel and II was nearly
noon when he was awakened by some.
one knocking at his door II was a
bellboy with n telegram. Still half
awake, he tore open the envelope
then stood transfxed, staring with un-
believing eyes at the message printed
on the sheet OF yellow paper.
"Your uncle died from heart
failure at eleven o'clock last
night. BY his will he has left
his entire estate TO a Miss Cleo
Burke OF valdavia. California"
II was signed by Calvin Montgom.
ery's private secretary.
Minute after minute passed and still
Morton stared at the message as
though his eyes deceived him. Surely
he must be dreaming. Calvin Mont
gomery dead And all OF his great
estate gone to Cleo Burke. And he,
Gerald Morton. his nephew, and, as
he had supposed, his only heir, had
received nothing Then all at once
he remembered the strange remark
he had overheard his uncle make that
morning in the New York office. II
wonder II did right by Cleo?" Mont
gomery had said aloud, as though put
ting his thoughts into words. and Nor
ton recalled the old mans obvious
confusion when he asked him who
Cleo was. He recalled the note which
his uncle had told him to give to
Doctor Burke. II once gave you some
thing that I valued as much as you
value the secret OF the submarine.
Now is your chance to repay me-"
Again Morton bitterly reviled himself
for his blindness. his stupidity. in not
recognizing and investigating the
mysterious relations between the
Burkes and Calvin Montgomery. Grad
CGlly. however, his shrewdness began
TO assert itself. From a man raving
with rage and disappointment, he be-
came again cold. calculating, cunning,
consclenceless. There was still a way
by which he could obtain possession
OF the Montgomery millions, he re-
minded himself He could marry Cleo.
His meditations we're abruptly in
terrupted, however. by a rap at the
door. He flung 1t open impatiently to
iind messenger hoy with note. The
crest on the flap OF the envelope told
him that 1t was from Olga.
Dear Mr.. Morton" she wrote, Il
want you to take me to the reception
which is being given this evening by
Mrs Delmar. the wife OF the British
consul's secretary. Mr.. Paget, who Ia
an old friend OF mine. When remind
you that Mrs. Delmar purchased two
OF the Burke books. you will appre-
ciate the necessity for our going.
have learned from Mr.. Paget, by the
way, that the Burke girl and your
friend. Hope, have also been invited.
You may call for me at nine o'clock"
When. dressed for the reception.
cleo stepped from the elevator into
ths hotel parlor where Hope was
waiting her. he fairly gasped with
astonishment. so marvellous was the
transformation which her afternoons
shopping had effected. He scarcely
recognized the unsophisticated, sim
ply dressed girl who stood curtsying
before him. Even with his inexperi-
ence in such matters, he recognized
that the gown OF chiffon which she
wore was Paris creation, and that
its color. a deep purple, emphasized
the milky loveliness OF her neck and
shoulders and her rose-leaf coloring.
DO ! suit you. Jarvis?" she asked
demurely.
DO you suit me" he repeated after
her. DO you suit me? Why, Cleo.
you're the most beautiful thing I've
ever seen"
The reception was In full swing
when Hope and Cleo reached the Del.
mar residence. Light streamet from
every window. In the gardens Jap
cnese lanterns, swsying gently In the
night breeze. swung to and fro like
giant freflies. Guests were strolling
on the terrace, the white shoulders OF
the women and the white shirt fronts
OF the men cleaning in the darkness.
Through the French windows OF the
ballroom came the strains OF a Hun.
garian orchestra. Mrs. Delmar and
her husband, the latter a red.faced.
white.mustached Englishman.
I'm delighted that you've come, my
dear" said Mrs. Delmar to Cleo. And
how bewitchingly lovely you look.
Your gown is a perfect dream. do
hope you will both have a good time.
And ! didn't forget about tn, books.
AS soon as you left this morning
telephoned to my nephew at Palo Alto
and he promised to bring them up
with him. He ought to be hero at any
moment"
She beckoned to the servant stand.