The Lamar register., 1917-11-21

,1rs simple. A cousin Of mine, Mark
DavenaI is heir to Il fortune that will
come TO me II he should fail to get
married before the first day of the
next year"
And then Durham gave the detective
all the details OF the case in hand. And
then "Gyp" Dalziel started out on his
six months commission. He gave him
self out as an artist, and made pre-
tense of sketching the scenery around
Rockville. He was bland, clever and
was shrewd enough to keep his eye
closely and constantly upon the move
ments of Mark, without In the least
exciting his suspicious. Every now
snd then he reported to DURHAM,
.rii guarantee your cousin never
thinks of a woman" announced Dali
ziel decislvely. II think he is going to
forfeit the fortune. Why, the fellow
is absolutely callous as TO the wiles
Of the gentler sex. He seems wrapped
up In reading. fishing and his duties as
manager Of the estate"
But a week TO the day before the
two years were up the detective came
to his patron with far different
story. f-
Something up, the situation has
changed" he reported to Durham.
In what way?" demanded Durham,
on nettles .or fear and suspense.
young Dayenal Is up 20 something,
He has ordered two new suits Of
clothes from the city. ! know that
he has purchased a iady's diamond
ring. He acts preoccupled, as though
there were something urgent on his
mind"
"You must find out what" snapped
Durham "Say, the prize must not es-
cape me, eyen-eyen II We have TO use
force"
Tut tut! now" voiced the de-
tectfva, but not with any great fervor,
"Oh, don't mean foul play" de-
clared Durham. "LoOk here, it's only
six more days. Can't he disappearT
81 think he's bent on doing that
thing for himself" observed Dalziel,
"He is certainly preparing for a trip
somewhere"
Don't let him make 1t. Here" and
Durham thrust a roll Of money into
the hand of his employee. 'Kidnap
MIN for a week and I'll double the fee
we originally agreed upon.n
What the precious pair did was to
Ogertake Mark in the woods one dark
night and convey him to an old house
ten miles away. where they made Of
him fast prisoner.
The last day OF the old year came.
the first Of the new one arrived. Bert
Durham was jubllant. Mark remained
unmarried. The fortune was sure for
the specious plotter!
Durham had paid palziel his fee
and the detective was 10 release his
captive and disappear, Late In the
afternoon Durham was advised that
young lady wished to see him and she
was ushered into his private office.
Lois, for It was she, was dressed in
mourning. Her mother had died two
weeks previously. She was free now
to do as she chose and naturally Mark
was her first thought.
81 am seeking for Mr.. Dayenal," she
advised Durham, "and / cannot find
him. They tell me you are his near
est relative and have come to you
for advice. Can you tell me where
Mark isl"
"Marz p Durham experienced a pc
culiar thrill. Who could this forward,
familiar young creature be3
''You-er-you know my cousin,
thenT"
"Why. Of course" replied candid
Lois with blue, open eyes. 'He is my
husband. We were married secretly
nearly a year ago-are you Ill, Mr..
DurhamT
Was he Ill He was crushed, and
when Mark Davenal, set free by Dali
ziel. arrived upon the scene, the baffied
schemer vanished summarily and de
parted for parts unknown.