Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21

thoughts of black and white magic.
But others were not so forgetful.
CHAPTER Nil
The Bioom or Doom.
Late that afternoon. wagon drew
up before the Maynard home. Arthur
Narncy. who had dropped in for call.
was cooling his heels impatiently. as
Mrs. Maynard poured some tea.
Myra. ! am sure, Will be back in
few minutes. She is playing golf with
DR. Alden" said the mother
Mrs. Maynard" and Varney's voice
was in deadly earnest, 81 do not trust
this man. 1t seems SO queer that you
allow him such freedom in your home
when YOU have known him only a
few days"
Myra's mother looked at him anx-
iously
Arthur. have made inquiries into
his connections. He's very we'll con-
nected socially. lie presented some
letters of introduction from mutual
friends to-day He knows a great
many Of our acquaintance. | hope 7
have not made a mistake He saved
Myra from suicide last night. And
feel confident that he means us no
harm. Do YOU agree with me-"
Narney shook his head ominously
T 10 not HIS mission has some
Interior motive. Myra is young. limo
cent and impressionahle. She possesses
an enormous fortune and believe that
this man is trying to gain control or
her feelings by practicing this mys-
teriOua power Of hypnotism which you
say he exercised to-day. Beware of
him.
There came the sound OF voices from
the door.
Keep out O. here. tell YOU" cried
the butler. Mrs. Maynard and Narncy
walked curiously toward the hall. and
beheld two men holding flower pots in
stiff argument with the faithful Willis.
We wants ter sell some Of our
flowers to the missus," argued one OF
the men. as Willis tried vainly to shu,
the door.
~ wish no flowers" exclaimed Mrs
Maynard, but Arthur varney smiled
ingenuously.
"A good idea Myra regretted the
faded plant which she kept in her
bedroom. I'll buy another one. Let
me see your plants, my good fellow"
he intcrjected.
Sure, guv'nor an swell posies they
is" cried the foremost one. as Willis
stepped aside in disgust
Narney and Mrs. Maynard stepped
to the doorway.
(Which one would you pick for her,
Mrs. Maynard? 7 want to surprise her
YOU know. 1t is her birthday. and a
little remembrance OF flowers will be
even pleasantcr than the books 1
brought"
Mrs. Maynard, battered at she appeal
to her good taste, looked over the COL
lection. Only one OF the pottcd plants
appeared Cf any value
Well, ii is a small choice-what is
the name OF that flower? have never
seen ii before" she quericd.
sure. lady, that's ono of them Great
White Way posies, reckon. don't
Know the Daro name for it-hut it's
calls II 4 Night Blooming Laliolc.' or
somcthin' like that"
What do YOU charge for it?" asked
Earner, drawing out u roll of bills.
This is ten beans, guv'nor, fer it's
one OF them classy flowers that don't
get np until sunset is II "A bargain -
Farney laughed, land tossed the
money To him.
Give it 10 Willis-hcIl take il IN
stairs. and put il in Myra's room as n
surprise Tie turned away, and Mrs.
Maynard followed him into the house
You are so thoughtful. Arthur" she
murmurcd.
Not at all not at all. ! have my
mind on Myra always" he said. and
can't resist doing any little thing which
means additional pleasure in her life
But do wish that she and that mis-
cradle quack would come back from
the golf links"
his wish was soon answered as
Myra danced joyously into the hall
way, her eyes sparkling and the roses
of perfect physique on her checks.
After few polite words Alden went
OUT ieavlnE Narney TO study the girls
understandable indifference to the mag
nctic charm which he had formerly
exercised without resistance
lhere was some new element in her
: life which he could neither overcome
nor fa,hom.
That night. after DR.. Payson Alden
had returned with small land satchc /.
ne was shown to u ,-ucStroon.
fle asked ii curious ta,cr, before IT,
firing.
NIyra had told him Of the beautiful
plant. covered with unopened bios
SONS. which Narncy had sent to her
room, in place of the one which had
, died.
Let me have that plant in my bed
room just for tonight" Alden begged
1T may seem foolish, but humor me-.
Myra jestngly agreed, and after bid
, ing him pleasant dreams" she retired
} She slipped downstairs few minutes
later, on some uneSpiainable impulse
to obtain the glass crystal which she
carried TO her own room.
She sat there, for perhaps an hour
engrosael in those sweet secret medi-
tations which moonlight invariably
conjures into the mind of maiden
: IL was a glorious night outside. and
> with the electric lights switched off
;, she sat on a divan near the window
, looking curiously at the mysterious
glass globe which had given her such
= curious visions
, nr. Alden was restless but event
' ually sank to troubled dreams.
q Then n surprising thing happened.
. The plant standing on his dressing
table near the bed. began to open its
white, waXen petals. He had carefully
examined it--takinG the RQts out Of
q the pct. prodding the earth,an at las
3 arriving at the conclusion that moth
ing was wrong with II.
h But as the flower spread. few