Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-05

"Then what"
"Why are you so absolutely sure
that he is dead?" she asked softly.
Frank stared ut her in blank
amazement.
what do YOU mean?" he gasped.
Was she mad also?
simply that he is no more dead
than YOU or l." she retorted, coolly.
What evidence have we? A letter,
in his own handwriting, telling us
gravely that he has decided to die.
presumption that that is the farth-
est thing from his intentions. For
when did Gregory ever tell the truth
concerning his movements? No, de-
pend upon it, he is mot dead. For
purposes of his own, he is pretending
to he. He has decided to eXist--sur-
reptitiously."
wildered young man. This was the
maddest theory of all. His head
swan with riot of conflicting i'm
pressions. He seemed to have been
hurled headlong into frightful
nightmare, and he longed to emerge
again into the light of the prosaic,
everyday world.
The door at the farther end of the
room opened He looked up eagerly.
half expecting to see Harrington
himself, smiling upon the threshold
1t was Doris. She stood there for
moment. uncertain, gazing at them
rather strangely. In her white morn
ing dress, slightly crumpled, and her
dark hair arranged in smooth ban
deaux, she was amazingly like Il
child. The somewhat cold spring
sunlight which streamed thru the
window showed that the event of the
night had already set it's mark upon
her. There were faint violet shad-
ows beneath her eyes, and her face
was pale.
Frank came forward hastily
everything blotted from his mind but
the sight of her white, grief stricken
face. He took both her hands in his
warm clasp.
The girl gave him a long, search :
ing scrutiny. then her lips quivered
and with a smothered sob she flung
herself into his arms and hid her
face on his shoulder.
Frank held her tendef1y. Don't"
he whispered unsteadily--"don't cry,
dear"
In her sorrow, she was inexpress-
IDLY sweet and precious to him.
He bent down and smoothed with
gentle fingers the soft, dusky hair
The fragrance of it filled his nos
trils. Its softness sent a delicious
ecstasy thrilling from his finger-tips
up his arm. eAll his life he would re-
member this one moment. He gazed
down at her tenderly, wonderful
light in his young face.
Dear" he whispered again.
She lifted a pallid face to him. Her
violet eyes were misty. and tiny
drops of dew We're still tangled in
her lashes.
"You-sou are good to me-" she
murmured.
AT his answering look, a faint col
or swept into her cheeks. She gently
disengaged herself and sat down.
Lady Dinsmore came forward, and
seating herself beside the girl upon
the divan, drew her close within the
shelter of her arms.
I Nov, Frank she said, cheerily
a chair opposite. .sit
down, and let us take counsel to-
gether. And first of all" she pressed
the girls cold hand-"let me speak
my strongest conviction. Gregory is
not dead. Something tells me that
he is safe and we'll"
Doris turned her eyes to the young
man wistfuuy. You have heard
something--later?" she asked.
He shook his head. There has
been no time for fresh developments
yet. Scotland Yard is in charge OF
the affair, and II. b. Smith has been
put upon the case
She shuddered and covered hel
face with her hands
''He said he was going to arres,
him-how strange and ghastly it all
is" she whispered II can no,
get it out of my head The dark
river-my poor uncle-I can see him
there She broke off.
Lady Dinsmore looked helplessl,
across to the young man.
1t was at that moment that ser.
want brought a letter.
Lady Dinsnlore arched her eve
brows significantly. "Poltavo." she
murmured.
Doris darted forward and took the
letter from the salver. She broke
the seal and tore out the contents
and seemed to comprehend the mes
sage at a glance. A little cry of 10,
escaped her. Her face, which had
been pale, flushed a rosy hue. She
bent to read VT again, her lips parted
Her whole aspect breathed hope and
assurance. She folded the note
slipped it into her bosom, and, with
out word, walked from the room.
Frank stared after her, white tc
the lips with rage and wounded love
Lady Dinsmore rose lbriskly to he1
feet
Excuse me. Wait here." she said
and rushed after her niece.
Frank Doughton paced up and
down the room distractedly, momen
tarily expecting her temperance
Only short half hour ago, with
Doris head upon his breast, he had
felt supremacy happy; now he was
plunged into an abyss of ute,
wretchedness. What We're the con
tents of that bri6 note which hac
affected her SO powerfully? Wh,
should she secrete it with such care
unless it conveyed lovers assur,
ance? His foot came into contac,
with a chshr, and he swore under his
breath.
The servant, who had entered un.
observed, coughed deprecatingly.~
Her ladyship sends her excuses
sir" he said, land says she will