Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-23

y
contained the imprisoned lima plunged
over Niagara Falls the man who had
risked so much in his wild attempt TO
save her covered his face with his
hands and sank to the platform of the
bridge. Even the Executioncr, who
had turned away, walked off to CON
ccal his emotion, and the workmen who
had done all they could TO rescue lima
tried in vain TO cheer the unhappy
young lover.
But suddenly this atmosphere Of
3 loom was dispelled by the appearance
OF lima herself
Harry. transported from the deepest
grief to the highest happiness, rushed
toward her and. regardless Of the on
lockers, folded her in his arms and
Kissed her again and again with all
the rapture caused by her unexpected
coming. Nor did the girl repulsc him.
Only the Executioncr who stood wit
messing this strange sight. took ex-
ccption to Harrys action. lie APP
preached the couple and tapped the
young man on the shoulder
Wait minute he said while the
astonshcd workmcn ouped around
the trio. This girl belongs TO my
master until such time as she finds
inc feNentn pearl.
Harry was MISUNDERSTANDING lima
ne faced the E;xccutioncr with blazing
eyes. Tho other men also re8enting
this interference with genuine love
scene crowded thrcatcninsiy toward
the Suitans cmissary; only lima's In
PREVENTION prevented disagreeablc
sccnc. he is right" She said sadly,
until find the seventh pearl ! belong
| m no XII
get away--thare is no time TO be lost"
Following the lead OF the Exccu-
toner. the couple left the bridge, to
the disappointment of the workers.
who stood gazing after them wonder
ing wha; the strange words OF the
foreiCn-lo looking man meant and why
a perfectly good American should pay
any attention to them.
On the way back 10 New York, Harry
could not restrain his JOY that lima
Twas with him. while she herself tried
to show her appreciation Of his bravery
in spite OF the sour glanccs OF the
E2ccutioner.
While the party was nearing the
metropolis rogue connected with
Grady's band was debating how he
could obtain the highest price for tho
pearl from the Sultan's necklace. which
had fallen into his possession as re-
suit of IIarry's daring theft in Con-
stantinople He was hard up, yet he
wanted to drive good bargain. lie
happened to know that lima was
anxious TO secure the pearl 10 match
the others which his fellow gangstcrs
had Informed him she already had.
Also he was we'll aware. through
Stayne. that Ferry Mason was equally
eager to obtain all the pearls OF the
famous necklace.
So as he sat In his shanty near
wood some miles out from the city's
outskirts. he wrote two letters-one TO
lima and one TO Perry.
In each he declared he was anxious
TO sell II the price were right. and he
told Perry that Stayne knew where to
find him lie also announced that ne
was writing TO lima, hoping thereby to
induce rivalry in bidding.
To lima he gave explicit directions as
to his whereabouts. and then mailed
both letters in the little station down
the line.
Joe Gudgcons shanty was a small
and rickcty affair. almost in the shadow
of a tank from which passing trains
drew their supply of water. Not FAR
was stored dynamite for use in blast
ing. GudCeon had not thought much
~ his proximity to this danger. but
to-day he gave the shed more than
,ursory glance, and vowed il he sold
tho nearl he would move TO some more
sheltered spot.
when he returned he sat pondcrinE
for some time. In front of him. on Il
deal table were several bottles OF INK
and in the neck of one of these rested
the pearl from the sale of which 10"
was hoping to realize small fortune.
He busted himself seeing whether
II would drop through the neck into
the bottle but it was too large. and
he finally wrapped it up in tissue paper
and tucked it into his waistcoast
pocket.
Once in her rooms lima was face
TO face with the problem that had been
ob,ruding itself upon her with more
insistence as the days rasscd-that
problem was how to secure the seventh
pearl as speedily as possible, for she
had now only one day left.
And 1t was with this same thought
in mind that the Executioner accom-
panied Harry and her TO the apart
ment.
"To-morrow." said this strange man.
lis the last day"
Isn't there some way you can cx
tend the time limit" asked tho anxious
Harry. while lima hung OH his words.
1T is out of my hands" answered
the Exccutioner. 'thc will of my mas
ter, the Sultan. is beyond my power
TO change. Tomorrow Is the last day. !
II the seven pearls arc not in my
hands lima must be returned TO the |
Sultan for the fIarcm: if she refuses. |
the life of her foster-fathcT will be
forfeited at once"
Worn out she YVES. lima could |
not keep back the tears as the t.xecu- |
toner pronounced his fateful words. |
IT was true she knew that this was |
the bargain she had made, but always !
she had cherished the hope that the |
Sultan would repent at the last mo-
ment and now knowing that she loved |