The Carlisle independent., 1917-06-07

age, which sharpened Hooks curiosity.
 Gee wiIlikinsl" exclaimed the sail or. "So Miss Cleo ain't Doctor Burke's daughter at all? Waal, now't you come to speak of it. I've often said to myself that she didn't resemble her paw"
 The Fletcher residence, where Cleo was employed as governess, proved to be a handsome place in the colonial style. set we'll back from the street in beautifully kept grounds, which swept down to the banks of the river.
 "Is Miss Burke at home?' inquired Hope of kindly faced lady who was seated on the verandah sewing.
 q think Miss Burke is In the gar den somewhere" said the woman pleasantly. Tt is her afternoon to go out. but she rarely leaves the grounds. If you will be seated I will send servant for her"
 "Please don't trouble" said Hope. q will find her"
 Passing around the house to the garden in the rear, he strode through long pergola. fragrant with roses, pushed his way through screen of shrubbery, and emerged upon a stretch of lawn, so smooth and beautifully tended that 1t looked like piece of green velvet, which swept unbrokenly to the low stone wall which bordered the river. Standing beside the wall, her back toward him, staring intent ly into the swirling water was Cleo slender and pathetic figure in her black gown. His footballs deadened by the turf, Hope stole forward soft ly. Just before he reached her she apparently came to decision, for she stepped onto the low parapet and her figure stiffened, as does that of swimmer who is about to dive. And at that instant Hopes arms closed about her. Taken completely by sur prise, she gave a startled scream then, glancing over her shoulder, she found herself looking into the face of the man she loved. With great sob of relief and happiness she snuggled, like a lost child, into his protecting arms.
 Hook, remembering that there are occasions when two are company but three are crowd, whiled away an hour before he joined them. As his smiling face appeared above the bushels. Cleo, transfigured by love and joy, rushed forward and threw her arms about his neck.
 'I reckon you ain't goin' to waste much time in gettin' spliced, then" said Hook.
 "We are not" said Hope emphatical- ly. "We have wasted quite enough time already We are going to be mar ried tomorrow
 When the three reached San Fran cisco late that afternoon, Hope took Cleo to the quiet residential hotel where she had stayed on previous occasions.
 "I will be back in time to take you out to dinner, dear" he said, as they stood waiting for the elevator. q must let MT. Johnstone know that have found you, and" he added hap oily, q must hunt up a minister"
 Don't be gone long, dearest" she replied, clinging to his hand. q shall count the minutes until you are back with me-"
 "TH be back within couple of hours at the most" he called, as the elevator shot her upward.
 The last words were spoken loudly enough to reach the ears of a man who was seated In the lobby, appar- ently immersed in a newspaper. A close observer might have been struck by the fact that he was careful to keep the newspaper in front of his face, as though he did not wish to be seen. And he had good reasons for not courting recognition. It was Nah linl
 When Morton, after his spectacular escape from the bandits, reached San Francisco. he did not return to the hotel where he had formerly stayed, but instead rented room in an ob- scure boarding house in an unfashion- able part of the city. It was here that Olga, after weeks search, found him.
 "Well, what Is 1t that you want?"
 Charming quarters you have here" she sneered, "so quiet and exclusive. I had indeed some difficulty in locat- ing you. One might almost suppose that you did not wish to be found. I want that book that you stole from me-"
 And that you stole from Carrillo," he taunted.
 Are you going to give 1t to mel" she demanded menacingly.
 q am not" he snarled.
 q think that you had better change your mind" she said, and her tone was deadly. "You will regret 1t if you don't"
 "What do you mean?" he asked sullenly. but there was a hint of un- easiness in his voice.
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