The Elbert County tribune., 1916-06-09

noiselessly back at that signal, and an
electric elevator rose automatically to
the level of the floor where he stood
Inside the elevator, he touched still
another button, whereupon the cage
rose noiselessly. Once II had come to
stop, he leaned against the appar-
emily blank wall of the elevator shaft
and studied 1t closely
His exploring plainly found there a
secret spring. for the next moment a
panel slipped noiselessly to one side
and he stepped into the room SO art
fully freproofed with pressed steel
panels and grained to look like oak.
which Golden had once used as his
bondroom.
That room. although not used for
years, was at the present moment far
from empty. For pacing restlessly
back and forth. as the stranger quietly
entered. was a golden-haired woman
of little more than twenty. The face
under the mask smiled little at her
sudden movement and gasp OF sur
prise as he confronted her.
Are you still afraid of me?" he
asked
"N-no!" hesitated the girl.
I'D give good deal" declared the
other, ito know who you are!"
"Tm-I'm afraid l cant help you
any. in that" she finally told him.
why not?"
Because | don't know myself
Il want to take you to a man who
may be interested in you, who may
even prove to be very kind to you"
The pale face with the haunted eyes
suddenly hardened.
Il no longer ask for kindness from
men," was her almost passionate re-
tort.
"Oh, this old scoundrel won't be too
dangerously kind. especially until the
ice is broken. l warrant you that
much. But with him. I'll also warrant,
you'll face none of the affronts that
you may have faced in the Owls
Nest"
But why should he be interested
in me?"
Because you may remind him of
daughter he himself once had"
Then what must l do?"
You must put on dress l have
ready. one exactly like the one his
own daughter used to wear. And I'd
like you to let down your hair"
So the girl, still touched with won
der, was cautiously led to another part
of the great house. where she let down
her hair and dressed herself in a girl
ish little frock which she found al.
dryl lot fn,
der was still in her eyes as the masked
stranger smuggled her quietly down
through the house, and, as the aged
millionaire bent low to unlock the bot
tom drawer of his desk, motioned her
noiselessly into the library and into
an armchair facing the desk
BY the time Golden had raised his
head again the mysterious stranger
had slipped out of sight
Golden. as he sat upright, stared for
several moments of silence at the
strange figure in the armchair
who are you?" the grim-faced old
financier finally demanded. But the
| girl remained silent.
Golden, studying her more closely,
rose unsteadily to his feet.
How did you get here?" he asked.
And passing hand across his mois-
tened brow he asked still again: who
are you?"
Il don't know" answered the girl.
Golden rose to his feet, and still
staring hungrily at that mild yet cloud
ed lace. crossed to her side.
He held her face between his hands,
peering into it. Then, with a weary
shake of the. head. he dropped his
hands.
lit was too much to expect" he
huskily murmured. TOO much to hope
for!"
Ills grief-stricken face touched the
girls heart.
"Oh. sir, what had you hoped for?''
she managed to ask.
Il hope for nothing" was the
broken mans reply. but once l had
daughter. and 1 lost her."
how did you lose her?"
She was stolen from me, as a
child"
And what became of herr"
God only knows! Yet, for a mo.
ment 1 was mad enough to think. to
hope. But have no longer any right
to hope. he added with sudden pas
sion. "All ask is that once before |
die l meet face to face that one-armed
devil with his scar of sname!"
"One-armed, and with a SCARF" cried
the startled girl. leaning suddenly for
ward in her chair.
Golden wheeied about at her cry.
What does that mean to your"
why. it was a one-armed man with
a SCARED face who kept me pris-
oner! 1t was he. Legar, who always
told me my parents were dead
81 I.egart" raDeafad tha haxyild arad