East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-11-20

WAS early the next after-
noon that Harold Stanley
mounted the steps OF the
great Montrose house at Riv-
9 erdale. His shoulders were
squared and his Jaws set. foI he was
very much afraid
In other words, he was planning to
tell Florence Montrose that ne loved
her.
He had told himself weeks earlier
that love must have nc place in his
life until he should have achieved
his goal OF solving the Crifhson Stain
mystery and OF bringing his fathers
murderer to justice.
But of late several things had
changed his resolve. Not only was
his love for Florence growing to an
intensity that made silence a torture,
but he felt that his little sweetheart
needed some more powerful protector
than her visionary and overbusy
father.
Wherefore he had at last come to
ms momentouS resolution.
Felix, the shifty-eyed manservant,
admitted him to the big front hall:
but was saved the trouble of going
in search of Florence by that young
lady's appearance at the head of the
stairs. She was descending from the
upper regions of the house.
I'm SO glad you're here!" she
hailed the guest as Felix disappeared,
because now I'll be able to show
you my wonderful new toy.
As she spoke she held up for in
spection a camera that was slung by
a strap from her shoulder.
"A new camera, eh?" commented
Stanley. But what's the excitement?
You have no less than three already.
gave you one Of them myself.
And"
but this is different" she ex-
planned. Look! That oueer-shaped
adjustable lens is the famous micro
seopic lens attachment you've read
so much about in the scientific maya
zines. 1t is really a microscope. 1t
will photograph details that the
naked eye can hardly see. 1t will
take a by picture Of the very
tiniest leaf or insect. It's wonderful
Come along and help me experiment
with it. We might photograph "a"
Hold on! I'd pc glad to help you in
any deep scientific researches you
choose. But not iust now, if you don
mind. You see-I've something terri
bly, important TO tell YOU. And. If =
wait, I'm afraid my courage will give
out"
"Is It something new about The
Crimson Stain?" she asked eagerly.
No he returned. TITS nothing
bout the Crimson Stain. And its
nothing new. It's the very oldes:
story in all the world and the very
sweetest. May I tell it TO YOU. dear"
Impulsively he caught both her =
le hands in his.
'Florence!" he said, his voice low
d vibrant. You must surely know
SO ! want to say. You must have
\ all along how /"
no further. A heavy step
@, the landing of the stairs
where he and Florence
nley knew the step Of Dr.
Y, seeing that the doctor
ention of going back 10 mis-
and that his own chances
)rd alone with Florence were
ight, Harold decided sulkily
re must postpone his proposal
some time when Montrose
I'D be busy or else away from
'c,rcely had the doctor quilted his
tory, 1--WE minutes earlier, on
ay downstairs TO Florence and
.ty when Felix had glided si-
y down the hallway Of the
ratory wing and had tried the
on. Fifty times during the past
" months he had done this, in Ms
nployers brief absences from ~,
laboratory. But almost always It
spring lock held the door tight ..u
against him.
Today, however, the door choncoa D
% be ON the latch. Felix thriueo
With excitement at his own good .uck, v
5s had always bean morbidly curious h
.eQnt thlR mysterious room And now +