East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-01-30
CHAPTER XII.
The Tortured Soul.n

~ &A<4 SVaAs
~ AR0LD STANLEY was in
mo mood at all for visitors, al
he paced the floor Of his pri-
0vate Office in the Examiner
Building, conclsely debating to his
s'onogapher
Yet at that very moment, unknown
. himself. he had a visitor; there. In
is own office. A visitor who was
,stening with avid interest to what
he young newspaper owner was die
atlng.
Felix. DR.. Montrose's man servant,
ID come TO the Examiner Building
At day with a note from Florence
Stanley. He had delivered the note
person. Then, as Harold had been
lied out OF the room for a mo-
cent Felix had sped swiftly to the
nice desk and had begun to rummage
lmUng It's papers.
Hearing Stanley's returning foot
iteps. he slipped behind the desk and
rouehed there, awaiting q second try
'or what he sought. Harold, enter
ng with his stenographer. had sup
)osed him gone.
The dictation was proceeding rap
dly when an office boy came in,
caring a card. Stanley read the
lame thereon. and tore the card
icross, saying sharply:
Tell layton Parrish I want moth
ng further TO do with him. Send
IN away"
The Office boy turned to execute the
ssisn. But he was too late. Par
his bulky form already blocked the
resfhold Of the door leading out into
city room.
Mr.. Stanley" said the detective.
1me time ago you gave me leave 10
ne into this office any time I chose
the corridor entrance. Today I'm
med back and made TO send in a
ID. What does that mean? -
1t means" retorted Harold. ad-
ncing on him. that / don't want
u around here any more. Clear
L."
But I came here to"
Il don't care what you came here
or. Get out, or I'll have you thrown
rit!"
AS he spoke Harold put one palm
II the detectives broad chest and
orcihay thrust him back a step into
no outer room, slamming the door
ehind him.
For several minutes longer he con-
inuea his dlctation. Then he dis
missed his stenographer and seated
,lmseff at his desk. But before he
,nuld settle down TO work a second
ard was brought to him. At sight OF
I he smiles happily.
SHOW her in here" he bade the
5ifice boy.
The youth departed. presently open
,ug the Office door again to admit
Florence Montrose. The girl was in
motor costume, and, to Harold's. in
fatuaied eyes, she was bewltchingly
pretty.
Bob Clayton and ! are going to
ny out my new car this afternoon,
.he said, as she and Stanley greeted
each other: won't you come along
Please do. It's such a dandy little
,ar know you'll have q good time
ran Il on my way uptown from the
lres@nnkers. How do you like this
Euit7 It's brand new. I'm wearing
Il home from Nine. Lulett's, You'll
Ioin US, won't your
She paused in her whirlwind OF talR
10 give him a chance to assent to heI
hyltaiion. But, to her chagrin, STAN
lev shook his head ruefully.
II wish might" he told her, "and
TIA a big temptation. But I'm up to
nv ears in work today"
"Baa the rush OF work anything tc
DO with the Crimson stainT she
RsKed. masking her disappointment
Il his refusal.
"It has everything to do with 1t,
ha tOad her. 'I've the strongest clew
vet. And I'm following II for all iti
worth. Bob Clayton is in 1t with me
But" his face becoming suddenly
grave, "this new information OF mln'
IeaSg me 10 fear there's vague peri
threatening you, little girl. And thai
trovA,les me more than all the rest o.
The dangers put together. For
"sonethlng threatening me-" re-
noated Florence. "What Is III"
II have no right to explaln-yet'
be TaId. "And perhaps, after all,
N, mistaken. But, anyway, you car
ake NV solemn assurance for ont
hing; Whatever threatens YOU, II
"a aa,le TO protect you against i
Md I'm going to stand between yo'
md perii. dear. Now and always
vevcr forget that"
mis- eyes grew wondrous tender q
NJ noke. Unconsclously he and Flor
had moved closer to each other
,on-neither Of them could ex
n afterward how It happened-h
v her Impulslvely to his breast
felt nor soft arms steal lovingl'
ut his neck. And their lips foun