Gilpin observer., 1917-09-20


"Yes-at the Casino. was just
about ready to start on my well-known
morning ride-purely," he laughed, ''in
the interests of my health, of course
when Huroki and De Lima turned ur
with the changeling."
"Elaine"
"Your volunteer substitute. So ]
had to wait till they were otherwise
occupied before thought 1t wise to
leave"
The two came out by the rivers edge
in little rock-bound cove with a
sandy floor. Inland, more than half
hidden among the trees, a modest
bungalow Of unsurfaced logs was Wis
ible-on its veranda the ample person
Of Anne, Patria's maid, placidly rock
ing and sewing.
"Sit down." The girl sank, feet
crossed beneath her. to the beach.
'"Tell me about this creature. Does
Elaine really"
"Get away with it?" Parr laughed
again. II should say she did. The
girls consummate actress and mimic.
Only close observer can detect in
Elaine's manner the inevitable, occa-
how to behave out of her element,
momentarily without Fanny Adair at
her elbow to prompt her. As a dip
lomat, however, she conspicuously
lacks flnesse-either that, or she's vile
ly ill-advised." 2.~.
How do you mean"
II mean she goes about Kidding her
self Of dangerous encumbrances in the
crudest fashion imaginable. Well, you
know how she quarreled with Anne on
the flimsiest pretext, and sent her pack
ing; and how she couldn't resist the
temptation to slap my face with9 the
confidential announcement of her en-
gagement, Us Patria Charming, to Juan
de Lima. And today, desiring to get rid
of Mrs. Wrenn and Rodney, she has
caused this announcement to be pub
lished, without saying word to them.
The newspaper gave the first hint Mrs.
Wrenn got of the affair"
Parr drew from his pocket folded
paper, and displayed to Patria one of
her own photographs, wretchedly re-
produced in half-tone, above story
headlined somewhat in this fashion:
MISS PATRIA CHANNlNG
MuItimilIionaire Heiress Stirs Newport
Society by Announcing Her Engage
ment to Senor Juan de Lima,
Wealthy Mexican Mine Owner.
With little exclamation of exas-
peration Patria read the article
through, then angrily crumpled the pa
per in her two hands.
"And what came of it?" she asked.
"Oh, Mrs. Wrenn protested, of
course-insisted that 'Patria' retract
the announcement. And the row
Elaine had been spelling for was on,
ending with her informing Mrs. Wrenn
that, If she disapproved so strongly,
Fanny Adair would relieve her of re-
sponsibility as 'Patria's' chaperon. So
Rodney and his mother are leaving"
.Whenf".
To-day, presumed"
""Oh" the girl declared in deepest
indignation, this is intolerable! l
can't stand it, 1 won't, another min
ute! Don, you must let me come out
of hiding and expose these lmpQsters"
please, dear !" Donald begged.
"Give me another thirty-six hours; I'm
watching them more closely than they
suspect; they do nothing don't know
all about, either through personal OBJ
servation or through my agents. l
@A ntt nd
annoyance. Give these fools rope
enough and they'll hang themselves as
high as Haman, and spare us the trou-
BILE. But let them once suspect you
live, and your life's worth-well, hard
I ly that" -E .,....-
THAT" was n snap of PARIS fingers.
Don't let me alarm you with my ex-
aggeration," he added with reassur-
| Ing smile. "But Huroki can move as
swifting as rattlesnake, when he
wants to, and strike with as deadly ef-
feet. I'm confident of my ability to
protect you. And you don't want to die
Just yet, with your work .undone!"
| Her hand stole into his. II don't
want to lose lifetime of being In love
with you" she corrected. "So-Ill do
as you say"
Less than an hour later Parr left,
to return to Newport, and resume his
task Of espionage.
EscAPApE BY MOONLIGHT.
What little wind there was went
down with the sun.
Around about the little bungalow on
the Sakonnet shore the hush was abso-
Lutte.
Only Patria was restless and ill-at-
ease. Impatience and dissatisfaction
with the lot imposed upon her by Don
aid PARIS arguments, prayers, will and
wishes, ragged In her bosom.
Alone upon the little veranda, she
fought temptation as long as she could,
till suspense in inaction CALLED her in
tOlerably then rose and stole into the