Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-16

make 1t. We can not afford to de-
spise the smallest amount" and in
consequence Poltuvo was paying as
much attention to the Ill written and
illiteratc scrawls which came from
the East End of London, as he was
to the equally illiterate efforts of the
under butler, describing an error OF
his masters In a northern duCal seat
Poltavo went thru the letters system
attcally. putting this epistle to the
right, and that to the left: this to
make food for the newspaper: that.
as subject for further operations
Presently he stopped and looked up
at the ceiling.
$50 she must marry Frank Dough
ton within a week." he said to him
self in wonder.
Yes. Harrington had insisted upon
carrying out his plans. knowing the
power he held. and he. Poltavo. had
accepted the ultimatum in all meek
ness OF spirit.
II must be losing my nerve" he
muttered. Married in "a week, Am
to give her up. this gracious. beau
Nllui Siii--"iln nST future, oI "lNIoht
her fortune?
lie smiled. and It was not pleas
ant smile to see. NO, my friend, 1
think you have gone a little too far.
You depended too much on my ac-
uuiescense. Ernesto. mon ami. you
have to do some quick thinking be-
tween now and next Monday"
A telephone buzZed at his elbow.
and he took it off and listened.
Yes" he asked, and then he re-
Cognized the speakers voice. and his
voice went soft and caressing. for it
was the voice of Doris Gray that he
heard.
Can you see me Tomorrow ?" she
asked.
once, II you wish it, he said lightly.
There was Il little hesitation at the
other end OF the wire.
IF you could. should feel so glad"
she said. IL am rather troubled
mot seriously. l hope?" he asked
anxiously.
Il have had letter from some
one." she said, meaningly.
II think l understand" he replied:
some one wishes you to do a thing
which is repugnant to YOU"
II can not say that she said. and
there was despair in her voice; call
know Is that I am bewildered by the
turn events have taken. Do you
know the contents OF the letter."
II know" he said. gently: cit was
my misfortune to be the bearer OF
the communication
What do you Think" she asked
after a while.
You know what think" be said
passionately. Can you expect me to
agree to this?"
The intensity of his voice fright
ened her. and she rapidly strove to
bring him down to condition of
normality.
Come Tomorrow" she said hasti-
ly. II would like to talk 1t over with
you"
Il Will come at once" he said
Perhaps you had better not" she
hesitated.
II am coming at once" he said
firmly. and hung up the receiver.
In that moment Of resentment
against the tyranny Of his employer,
he forgot all the dangers which the
Secret House threatened: all it's swift
and wicked vengeance. He only knew,
with the instinct of beast of prey
who saw it's quarry stolen under its
very eyes, the loss which this man
was inflicting upon him. Five min
utes later he was in Brakely Square
with the girl. She was pale and wor-
ried: there were dark circles around
her eyes which spoke eloquently Of a
sleepless night.
II do not know what to do" she
said. II am very fond Of Frank. I
can speak to you, can I not. Count
Poltavo?"
You may confide in me absolute
ly." he said, gravely.
And yet am not so fond of him."
she went on. that I can marry him
yet"
Then why do yon?" he asked
How can dsobey this?" She
held the letter out.
little smile. walked to the fireplace
and dropped IT gently upon the glow
ing Goals.
II am afraid you are not carrying
out instructions" ne said. playfully.
There was something In this action
which chilled her; be was thinking
more OF his safety and his duty to
harrington than he was of her, she
thought: curionsly inconsistent
view to take in all the circumstances.
but 1t was one which had an effect
upon her after actions.
Now listen to me-" he said, with
his kindly smile: you have not to
trouble about this; you are to go your
own way and allow me to make it
right with harrington. He is d very
headstrong and ambitious man, and
there Is some reason perhaps why he
should want you to marry Doughton,
but as to that l will gain a little more
information. In the meantime you
are to dismiss the matter from your
mind, leaving everything to me-"
She shook her head.
Il am afraid I can not do that"
she said. "Unless l have letter
from my guardian expressing wishes
to the contrary, must carry out his
desires. 1t is dreadful-dreadful," -
she wrung her hands piteously,-
that | should be placed in this
wretched position. How can l help
by marrying Frank Doughton. How
can l save him-can you tell me?"
He shook his head.
Have you communicated with Mr.
Doughton?"
She nodded.
Il sent him a letter." she hesitated.
Il have kept a draft of it: would you
like to see IT."