The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-23

uToIly or a happy disposition.
IA vYet as she sat in the June
Ill fragrance Of the color
splashed rose garden and let her
thoughts dwell on the recent events
which had so rudely shattered her
most cherished ideals. the pensive-
eyed girl could not repress a long
drawn sigh which betrayed only too
clearly her distress of mind. From d
branch overhead a liquid noted robin
poured his melody Of spring and glad
ness into the unheeding ears Of the
silent and preoccupied figure Oh the
rustic bench.
Suddenly t1e feathcrri s0rCrtcr
ceased his joyous carol as MarEory
heard the sound of approaching steps
ON the graveled walk. Tho newcomer
stood looking wistfuily down at the
sweet~faced girl whose golden air
eiinted in the shaft of sunlight filter
ing through the soft spring foliage.
,she ~waef sfaz is0k with Qnt- pf Hut i
prtsed inquiry.
Il hardly expected 10 see YOU here.
Davy, after all that has happened. ."
she said in tones Of gentle repruof.
nav ~ Sbi4itt MAI 5bTys ne an
swered quietly, Il couldn't stay away
from you any longer, Won't You be-
lieve that ] am truly sorry for what
1 have done and try to forgive me p"
The silent robin which had been
regarding this masculine intruder
into its peaceful domain with some
uncertainty now took wing in n sud
den hEtter of apprehension. For at
that moment a heavy featured indi-
vidual had crept UP back of the tree
with an alarming stealthness Of
manner. Unconscious Of the pres-
ence Of this hidden eavcsdropper. the
sad-eyed girl, after little hesita-
ton, answered the impassioned plea
Of David Manley.
Il do forgive you.' she said in a
voice tremulous with emotion, and
then, as she saw a hopeful light flash
into the eyes Of her pcnitent COM
panion she added In a frmer tone,
but you must not expect too much
OF me at first. Davy. You have hurt
me. deeply and 1t is best that you
stay away until tbs wound ~ quite
healed.
That shall be as you say" he re-
piled tenderly. for you have given
me hope that some day you will let
me come back to you
Then he slowly took from his pocket
a folded square of note paper.
II had almost forgotten TO give this
TO you" he said. extending the paper
to the wondering girl. Il found it
fastened on the thorn bush near the
great bowlder on Seven Oaks Hill.
II is addressed 10 you and l think IT
must be from the Laughing Mask,
for he has been seen around there a
number of times"
As Margory hastily glanced at the
penciled note she saw that Davy was
right in his conjecture, and he re-
gained much that he had lost in her
affections as she realized what a
struggle 1t must have cost him TO act
as message bearer for his masked
rival.
IN trouble you 10 hand over that
letter, Miss Golden" demanded Cap
tain Bracket in authoritative tones
as he stepped from his place of con-
cealment. I've had my doubts about
your wantin 10 land that masked
criminal in the cell where he belongs
ever since you steered us wrong the
time he made his last getaway, an
perhaps this little dookyment VIII
help throw some light on the subject"
The angry police captain had
scored a bulls-eye in his surmise re-
gardinr the damaging evidence con-
Ev IL
res1 something OF this in Margory's
face and taken alarm, lest she de-
stroy that discriminating bit of paper,
for his beefy paw suddenly shot out
and firmly clutched her slender wrist.
But the resisting girl found a timely
ally in the person of David Manley,
who perceived that for reasons OF her
own Margory did not wish TO sur
render the note, and, with a quick
movement. snatched that object of
contention from her fingers and
stuffed it in his pocket.
The belligerent captain now adj
vanced threateningiy upon the new
factor in this unexpected resistance
10 the majesty of the law.
Come across with that paper,
young man." he beloved furiously,
'or I'll show you what it means to
interfere with an officer. performin'
his duty"
Then as the caim-faced Dayy ex-
hibited no indications of complying
with this demand, The lrats Y5ot1cc-
man attempted TO decide the issue
by physical force. Roughly throw
ing a pinioning arm about the de-
fiant Manley. he made vigorous eff
fort TO extract the much-coveted
paper from his prisoners pocket.
But while Davy was no match for
the powerfully built captain in point
Of strength, he twisted and turned
in the grasp of his adversary with
q disconcerting agility, displaying an
eel-like evasion OF that exploring
hand.
s Az the struggling figures thrashed
and trampled over the orderly flower
~ II -