The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-08-01

rescuing of Gloria from the Indians. l
refused the money then, so I thought
that now - perhaps - well -
thought"
That's true" said Pierpont. THAT
suggests a way out of it. Your propo-
sition does not appeal to my business
sense, but / can do this. I'll pay you
double the reward with compound in
terest for five years. That will square
us up"
Freneau smiled with a renewal Of
hope, and Stafford wrote him an i'm
portant check.
Freneau thanked him, promised to
return the money, and left the bou-
quet for Gloria. AS he made his way
out he met Royce just coming down
from Gloria's room. Freneau hated
the sight of Royce for many reasons.
We usually hate people we have
wronged. He managed to ask how
Gloria was. Royce said she was bet
ter, but not yet out of danger. A Gu
rious look came over his face as he
added:
Look here. Freneau, l don't like
you bit, but Gloria loves you lot.
/ / don't see why, but she does. Wom-
en- are peculiar. Now, I'd rather
break my own heart than hers. She
wants you for a husband, and if you'll
play fair and walk straight from now
on, I'll do nothing to interfere with
your plans. But If you play false with
her. ll-well-there's nothing
won't do to save her from you"
Freneau promised glibly that he
would be an ideal lover and model
of loyalty. Royce said: Il hope So"
without much hope, and You'd bet
teri" with rather too much empha-
sis. Still, Freneau had the check in
office with "the bacon" Mulry made
him so welcome that he forgot his
new troubles in the radiance of the
new business plans.
But his promise to Royce was put
to the test at once, for that very aft
ernoon, when he reached his apart
ment, Lois appeared there. She was
heavily yelled, but Freneau's valet
seemed to know her. He backed out
discreetly. When Lois threw off the
shroud her face was terrible in its
resolution.
You shan't marry Gloria, Dick" she
said. you shan't throw me over
not for her? You shan't marry her
of all the people in the world"
Freneau was tired of Lois and tired
of interference. He forgot to be gen
tie. He laughed.
mo? And how are you going to
stop me?"
Lois cold, hard answer bowled him
over: Gwen Gloria can't be so crazy
about you that she would marry you
if l were found dead here"
Freneau stared at her aghast. He
could not quite be sure of her meaning
till he saw a little phial in her hand.
He leaped for it. But she lodged
round his desk and put it to her lips.
Don't you come near me or you'll
wish you hadn't" she cried. IF you
take another step I'll swallow this
Freneau had to temporize with the
mad woman. He surrendered weakly
and dropped into a chair.
Listen to me, Lois" he pleaded. Il
went to her father to borrow money.
I've got to have his support or go
bankrupt If l do that I'll blow my
brains out. OF course, l don't love
Gloria. My heart is yours. But l cam
marry you. If l marry her she won't
interfere with your love and mine.
We shall be all the safer. If you
love me, you won't ruin me. If you
don't love me, give me the phial and
I'll get out of your way"
She was in so insane a mood of
jealousy and longing, that she be-
lieved him. She made him swear that
he spoke the truth, as if an oath or
two meant anything to him Then she
suffered herself to remain his dupe
and he took her down to a taxicab
feeling sure that he was well rid OF
her.
When she had gone he breathed
more easily. He even laughed. He
had everybody working for him. His
rival, Royce, was toiling to save
Gloria's life. His ex-dame, Lois, was
in league with him to keep up the de
ception. Gloria's father was lending
him money. He was plainly a child
of destiny
He was so treasured by mis- lucl
that he made a holiday with Mulry
who planned to start off at once
on a round of the different citiel
where they had branch Offices for thu
convenience of victims who lived fal
from New York.
Ignorance may be bliss, but it is no
preparedness. F'reneau was blissfu
in the belief that Lois was quieted. H,
did not dream, nor did she, that Davi'
Stafford was awakening. When Ere
neau took Lois to the taxicab, sh
lowered her veil, but a veil is onl.
a partial disguise at best, and it ma,
attract attention. Neither Freneau no
Lois noted that a certain Mrs COleridg