Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06

tho door when the bomb burst with \
terrific explosion. wreckins the den
and destroying every clue to tho Hid
don Hand. Thrown wildly about in
tho falling lath and plaster. Ramsay
and Doris fought their way back to the
street door.
Outside they held q iasty conference.
Tho den was wrecked. The Hidden
Hand and his gang had escaped. Doris
had lost tho lockot. but In its place
now had tho packet. At least she Was
safe.
AS Ramsay asked TO SEQ tho packet
she let him have It, but In a moment
there eAthe back TO her her hostility
against this man who had so grossly
insulted her lance, DR.. Scarley. Sho
seized tho packet back from him. With
a shsug Ramsay assisted her into tho
speedster and they drove slowly back
10 the house.
Alone in tho big house Verda sat
torn by fear. 1t was a new position
into which she had placed herself
Jealousy OF Doris for the attentions OF
! Ramsay and tho promise OF the Hid
den Hand to prove that Verda herself
was Whitney's daughter had suddenly
made a criminal OF her. Was she now
a murderess, too?
|, Ferda was startled by tho return
OF Ramsay and Doris. But as Doris
ran 10 her. as in the old time, flinrinr
her arrns about her. Verda. cohsummato
actress that she was, embraced her.
while Doris poured eagerly into her
willing ears the story OF how sho had
! lost the locket and obtained the
packet.
A Dcciaion.
! Fcrda sazed at it GENEROUSLY, bu,
was forced to restrain herself, as
| Doris broke away. eager now to see
what wreck the liquid air explosion
had made OF her room. Unhappy Verda
was left alone.
| AS Ramsay and Doris looked at the
wreck Of the room. II was evident that
Doris could not live there.
You must go to Whitney Island
while repairs arc being made" decided
Ramsay.
Doris would have refused. but tho
Whitney summer place was such an
Obvious solution OF tho trouble that
she could not ddny 1t. Accordingly,
when the maid and butler, overjoyed
TO see her back safe. entered Doris
was forced to tell them TO pack IN
THO following morning.
Down In the library. Verda was still
waiting. alone. As she heard Ramsay
. coming she decided quickly that she
, would try once again TO work on his
sympathies. She dropped her head on
, her shapeIy arms and began crying
, softly. For tho moment II seemed IN
work.
Don't cry" he said, pa.tins her
s!mpatheticaily. Il am sure that
everything will come out all right"
ON, ! feel so miserable wept YER
"a rising and leaning against his
shoulder In her simulated woe.
IF Ferda had planned 1t, she could
not have been moro successful. for at
that moment Dori, entered with lIeh,
football
famsay was clustered.
Well smiled Doris. com,n- ov.r
to tho table. How romantfc."
There was nothing for Ramsay 20
90. Explanations with high-tempere
Doris was worse than useless IT.
merely disenEased verda's rratui.oua
embrace. bowed and left the room
The moment he had zone yerda n
4 her jealousy, forgot herself. Before
o DORIS could utter the words that were
on her lips. Verda burst forth mas.
sionatcly. oh. II only had Won,
\ chancc."
: FOR the moment Doris was taker
oy surprise. Could it be that she
!. mad been mistaken in this man Ram.
| say! What did verda really mean.
Ihere was no acting about that re
: marx. Eamsay could no. be In low,
:. with Nerda. after ALL
little In doubt now abou. h.r
! judgment OF ramsay, Dori. retired :,
another room to await in fear tho com
G ihs or another day. She woke y,
: early the following morning to I'm,
that the butler had packed up tn. grin
ana was waiting for orders.
s Doris Is overjoyeS.
VERY WELL" she decided. finally
: Call UP Whitney Island and hay. IN
= launch meet you. We will follow
, later"
Yes. Miss whitney" he bowed a
= he left.
IL was as though every one ha
: heard Of the proposed change to VIII,
;, heS Island. for the butler had not cvel
!, ieit the house before DIT. Scariey ar
a rived. Eamsay was annoyed at h;
very presence. but Doris was over
= 1oyed. In fact, she rather enjoyed eve
!. inc annoyance OF the secret seryic
men. IL was pleasure 10 tease hin
:, Scarleys triumph was short.liyAt
. Tor. at the same time. Abner Whi.oe
; arrived. post haste. He had not be-.
=, idle IL there WAS anything needed /
protect his rights he was going t
i. have it done.
a Now" he faced scarlcy. YOU won
. account for the estate. hey? We'll, thi
= injunction stops your control. anyhow
;. what have you cot to say to that"
- For "A moment the two faced ezc
other. Abner crafty. Scarley suave an
10 polished 1t looked very much az
1, the two would come to 4 pitched BATH
Please don't" interviewed Dori
il. an1iously.
"A Scarley took her hand in his.
), What have ] said" he returne
deiiantiy. "My approaching narrias
- to Doris VIII settle your hopes for tn
cr cstate-thats my answer"
Then ne turned cooliy, offered Dor
:, his arm. and they saun.ercd out in,
the garden