The Washington times., 1924-02-09

couldn't know unless you ha0 the
key. Well, here 1t is. I've a
notion that either because Rosa
wants to spite Peter in return
for his snubbing her, or because
she resents not being in on the
ground floor of the Shipping Cor
poration, she has issued orders
to Manuelo not to give US q ship
or a charter"
Perfectly plausible" comment
ed Ralph.
''It's not fair to the boy that he
should let an infatuation for Rosa
Cordova stand between him and
his better judgment. It may do
the Shipping Corporation grave
harm to be blocked In South
America. It's quite likely to ruin
q man in young Oritz's position
to be advised by a woman with
motives as tricky and malicious
as Rosa's. He ought to have his
chance. But of course I'm not
counting on anything more than
leading him to the place where
he can see all the paths there
are for him to take. He may
still prefer the path Rosa has in
dicated."
"1'd say that is just what he's
bound to do" commented Ralph
dryly. "Do you think for a mo-
mcnt that Rosa Cordova would
play into your hands as she ap-
pears to have been doing unless
she saw her way clear 10 get
something out of it?"
"She's capable of that
But too subtle to risk play
ing into your hand for the sake
of preening and posing. Look
out, Anne. The little Cordova
would stop at nothing to attain
her goal. I'm sure of that. I'd
be inclined to jump her and
young Ortiz into one classified
tion-tricky. That's what I'd
call them.''
We had come to the entrance
Of my apartment building by
now, Ralph stepped into the hall
and 3 oke in a serious under
tone:
Don't be hurt at me, Anne.
Don't think I'm belittling your
plans. I'm not. I'm convinced
there is everything to gain. But
I'm not convinced that Rosa
Cordova would take a chance on
your achieving if unless she felt
she had still more to gain. Be
on your guard. I want you to
let me helm you, be on your
guard"
"I knew you'd help" I cried.
But after I'd said good night
to Ralph, and was on my way
upstairs, l wondered IL now, at
last 1 had not embarked on
something which Jim also would
take real joy in aiding.
My heart sank at the thought
Of again working side by side
with Jim.
with Ralph Lacy didn't feel
any particular agitation over the
attitude he took toward Rosa's
hold on Manuelo Ortiz. listened
with the interest I always feel in
Ralph's viewpoint to his idea that
the boy wouldn't be coming ami
ably into any group Of my friends
unless Rosa saw a decided ad-
vantage in letting him do so.
But when 1 found myself alone
in my apartment, began to go
all to pieces mentally. realized
that in trying to fight Rosa with
her own weapons I'm putting my
self into a dangerous and almost
hopeless situation.
Then 1 determined that since
Peter Stanley's future and Irlna
Warren's happiness depended
upon the fortunate outcoming OF
the adventure jim diplomacy on
which Peter and I haG embarked,
and since the first overtures in
the matter had to be trusted to
me with Peter left out, was
called upon to be as far-sighted
and as sure-footed as ever I
could be.
was sitting before my dress.
ing table, wrapped in a soft silk
pe:gnoir and giving my whole
mind to brushing my hair with
one hundred vigorous strokes,
when I heard Jim's step drag
ging down the hall.
You look fit as a daisy" he
sa;6. "And I'm 20 dead beat it
does me a lot of good JUST to loo:S
at you"
whats the matter, dear:" I
asked.
To Be Continued Monday.