Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-10

sight of him alone, sitting on the couch
She glanced about. Doris was nowhere
to be seen. Quickly she entered to take
advantage Of this rare chance to speak
alone with the man whom she loved.
Let me pin this flower on your coat"
she said prettily. AS shc sat beside him
Ramsay for long time had been OBJ
serving how Verda was ninging herself
at him. lie was really afraid Of Vcrda.
IF you don't mind" he suggested,
stopping her hand gently. Il think
flowers are-just a bit cncminatc"
AT that moment there was noise
at the door. Doris had come tripping
lightly downstairs and had paused Just
long enough to sec the little drama
She smiled as Ramsay jumped up
and crossed to her quickly.
There's beautiful moon tonight"
he whispered. Let's take stroll out
in the garden"
In the Summer House.
oblivious TO Verda.
IL anything had been necessary to
complete the Understanding between
| Doris and Ramsay It had been the
quick succession of attacks from the
Hidden Hand from which the young
Secret Service man had go cleverly been
able to protect her. And now. while
for a few moments there was peace
and quiet in the Whitney house. Il
was not strange that the lovers should
take advantage of II.
The garden was indeed beautiful
bathed In the shimmering moonlight
and Ramsay knew that nature had
staged for him just the opportunity nc
wanted.
Slowly. as they strolled along, for
getful of time. knowing only that they
were alone, his arm stole about her
and the magic touch OF youth cast a
spell over both.
Finally they came TO rustic sum
MGR house. where In the | alt shodows
Of the vines and half light OF the moon
they paused.
Pressing her warm little hand. Ram
say quietly slipped sparkling soli-
tire over the left ring finger. where
a few days before had glistened the
gift OF the faithless Scarley. Doris did
not resist. Her heart was singing
with joy as she let him draw her closer
and looked up al him. Their lips met
/ in long kiss.
| From the porch. however. Ve-da was
watching, and as she saw Ramsay and
! Doris together. she was almost insane
| with jealousy. She could not look a,
them longer in their happiness. bu,
turned and ran. angrily, into the house
As she pa sscd the library she heard
a light tap on one OF the French win.
dows, and moment later il opened
disclosing one OF the cmissaries OF the
/ Hidden Hand.
Put this letter in the secret drawc-
OF the desk" he directed in a hurried
whisper. You'll find diagram
must beat IL before any one sees me-
! Then leave the plan where they'll
| lind it,
Vcrda almost seized tho papers as
she hurried away from the door
through which the emissary retreatcd
She tore open the envelope and began
studying tho diagram.
Nerdn Does His Bidding.
Then she went over to the writing
desk. She pulled out the lower drawer
II was empty. But in the back was a
secret spring, as indicated on the draw
ing. She pressed il and the secret
drawer flew open
! There was nothing in the secret
| drawer either. and she slipped into il
the letter which the Hidden Hand had
/ wri'ten. Then she placed the drawer
| batk and laid the diagram on the table
with some papers, as though some one
! had just discovered them all and left
| them there for examination.
IL was only a few moments later that
| the butler sauntercd into the library
/ No one was there, and, being OF an
| inuL!sitive nature. as servants often
are. he looked about, then hogan nosinE
over the papers on the table until he
suddenly turned over the plan of the
secret drawer. lie studied over il a
| moment. then glanced at the writing
/ desk. 1t was clearly the desk meant
] 10 hnI l. l., ,
there was secret drawer in it.
The butler strobe over TO the desk
| and pulled opcn the lower drawer
! there. in the back, was tho secret com
partment of the plans sure enough
and in it "a letter. AS he read it, his
eyes dilatrd. Here WAS something i'm
pc rtant, and he did not stop to think
that il was intended that it should be
| found. Instead. he was Immensely
pleased with himself by the discovery.
| AT that moment Dr. Scarlcy entered
and saw tho butler standing by the
desk reading something.
What's that?" he demanded. as he
camo up behind him.
! Scarlcy had scarcely read tho note
| when Doris and Ramsay. hearing voices
! in the library entered. followed by
Fcrda. who had been hanging about
waiting for the discovery.
| The Ruse Works.
| Ramsay was between Scarley and
the butler in moment, and before
Scailcy realized it. had snatched the
letter from his hands. reading it over
aloud
We must find the WILL exclaimed
| Doris. "I'm sure my father explained
everything in it,"
Just then tho French doors opened
and Uncle Abner hustled in, having
heard catsidc what was passing.
| You have not proved your identity"
he interrupted. You must leave this
house"
Not unless the will says So" re-
torted Ramsay, as Abner, leaning over,
read the note also.
| Without word, Ahner hurried to
the hall. but not before Scarlcy had
| done the same. They almost collidcd
at tho street door. as Scarlcy should
cred his way out.
| Outside Ahner hurried in one direc-
| tion, Scarley in tho other, where his
car was waiting for him.
TOO bad they saw the letter" said
Ramsay, hurricdly. Now wo have no
| time to lose"
Both Ramsay and Doris hurried to
! prepare for the trip to the mountains,
and soon they met again in the hall.
while n taXicab waited outside to rush
| them TO the station. where tho night