| OCR Text |
Show I THE MAMMOTH RECORD MAMMOTH CITY, UTAH could have told In volumes of correspondence. She knew, also, that Tom was lost forever ! Now tell me, said the countess the instant they entered the Courtney She gripped both of his apartment. arms with her firm little hands and looked straight into his eyes, eagerly, She had forgotten Mrs. hopefully. Courtneys presence, she had not taken the time to remove her hat or jacket. Lets ail sit down, said he. My knees are unaccountably weak. Come along, Ede. Listen to the romance of GREEN FANCY GEORGE EW MS CUTCHEON ik t50v Author of CRAUSTARK THE HOLLOW OF HER HAND " 'THE PRINCE OF GRAUSTARK," ETC my life. And when the story was finished the countess took his hand in hers and held it to her cool cheek. The tears were still drowning her eyes. Was that why Oh, you poor dear you grew so haggard and pale and . I Cfy right CHAPTER XX Continued. 15 Barnes listened at the door until he heard the waiter clattering down the stairway, and then went swiftly down the hall to No. 30. Mr. Prosser was deeping just as soundly and as resoundingly as at midnight! By gad !, he muttered, Everything was as clear as day to him now. Boltfng into his own room, he closed the door and stood stockstill for many minutes, trying to picture the scene in the cottage. He found a letter in his box when he went downstairs, after stuffing the tin box deep into his pocket. Before he slit the envelope he knew that Sprouse was the writer. The message was brief: After due consideration, I feel that it W'ould be a mistake for you to abandon your present duties at this time. half-alou- , It might be misunderstood. , Stick to the company until something'- better turns up. With this thought in view I withdraw the two days limit mentioned recently to you, and extend the time to one week. Yours very truly, J. H. WILSON. Gad, the fellow thinks of every-- , He thing," said Barnes to himself. - Dodd, Mood mod Compoiw, nfc she resisted, and then - relaxed into complete submission. "Her head sank upon his shoulder. Oh ! she sighed, . and there was wonder, joy even perplexity, lu the tremulous sigh of capitulation. Oh, came softly from her parted lips again at the end of the first long, passionate kiss. ft- -'' XXL CHAPTER The End In Sight. Barnes, soaring beyond all previous heights of exaltation, ranged dizzily back at the front and between Grand opera house that evening. He was in the wings with her, whispering in her delighted ear; in the dressing-room, listening to her soft words of encouragement to the excited leading lady ; on the narrow stairs leading up to the stage, assisting her to mount them ; and all the time he was dreading the moment when he would awake and find Jt all a dream. There was an annoying fly in his I love you, she ointment, however. had said simply. I want more than anything else in all the world to be your wife. But I cannot promise now. I must have time to think, time to1 "Why should you require more time than I? he persisted.) What .is time to us? Why make wanton waste of . - -- Is positively uncanny. He read between the lines, and saw there a distinct warning. It had not occurred to him that his plan to leave it? I know that I cannot find happiness for New York that day with Miss Cameron might be attended by disastrous except with you, . she replied. "No matter what happens to me, I shall results. But the jewels? What of them? He always love you, I shall never forget could not go gallivanting about the the joy of this. , But I cannot promcountry with a half million dollars ise now, she finished gently and t , . , worth of precious stones in his posses- kiBsed him. Between the second and third acts sion. He spent the early part of the fore-- , Tommy Gray rushed back with the statement The gross was noon in wandering nervously about the hotel upstairs and down. The $359. The instant, that fact became locked in his pack up-- , known to Mr. Jtushcroft he Informed , jewels were stairs. He went up to his room half Barnes that they had a knockout," a a dozen times and almost instantly gold mine, and that never in all his walked down again, after satisfying career had he known a season to start himself that the pack had not been off so auspiciously as this one. Three days later Barnes and Miss rifled. For the next three days and nights Jones said farewell to the strollers rehearsals were in full swing, with and boarded a day train for New York And so city. They left the company in a conscarcely a moments let-uthe time crept by, up to the night of dition of prosperity. The show was Miss Cameron re- averaging two hundred, dollars nightly the performance. mained In ignorance of the close prox- and Mr. Rushcroft was already bookimity of the jewels, and the police of ing return engagements for the early Crowndale remained in even denser fail. He was looking forward to a Ignorance as to the whereabouts of tour of Europe at the close of the war. Barnes sister, Mrs. Courtney, met the man who robbed Mr. Hasselwein of all his spare cash and an excellent them at the Grand Central terminal. r Its now a quarter to five, said gold watch. No time was lost by the countess in Barnes after the greeting and presengetting word to her compatriots in tation. . "Drop me at the Fifth Avenue New York. Barnes posted a dozen let- bank, Edith. I want to leave someters for her; each contained the tid- thing in my safety box. downstairs. ings of her safety and the assurance Shant. be more than five minutes. He got down from the automobile that she would soon follow In person. street and shot across Those three days anf nights were at Forty-fourt- h full of Joy and enchantment for the sidewalk Into the hank, casting Barnes. He actually debased himself quick,' apprehensive glances through by wishing that the Rushcroft com- the five oclock crowd on the avenue pany might find it imperative to go on as he sprinted. In bis hand he lugged rehearsing for weeks in' that dim, en- the heavy, weatherbeaten pack. His sister and the countess stared after L ;gchanted temple. him in amazement. . He sat for hours in one of the most uncomfortable seats he had ever Presently he emerged ' from the bank, known, devouring with hungry eyes still carrying the bag. He was beam1 face so close ing. A certain worried, haggard exthe shadowy,-interestenever tired. and to his ovyn pression had Vanished from his face, time in eight hours On the afternoon of the dress re- and for hearsal he led her, after an hour of he treated his traveling wardrobe with almost insupportable repression, to scorn and indifference. Thank God, theyre off my mind the rear of the auditorium. Dropping That Is the first into the seat beside her he blurted at last, he cried.good, long breath Ive had in a week. out, almost in anguish: I cant stand it any Inger.- I can- No, not now. Its a long story and I cant tell It in Fifth avenue. It not be near you without why, I I well. It is more than I can struggle would be extremely annoying to have against, thats all. Youve either got both of you die of heart failure with to send me away altogether or or all these people looking on. He felt her hand on his arid, and let me love you without restraint I tell yon I cant go on as I am now. knew that she was looking at him You with wide, incredulous eyes, but he - You know I love. you. dont you? He was terknow I worship you. Dont be fright- faced straight ahead. en I just had to tell you today. ribly afraid that the girl beside him I should have gone mad if I had tried was preparing to shed tears of Joy to kep It up any longer. He waited and relief. He could feel her searchfor her to speak. She sat ing in her jacket pocket for a hand' " silent and rigid, looking straight be- kerchief. Wvnt Is It hopeless? he Mrs. Courtney was not only curl fore ' Must I ask your ous but apprehensive. She hadnt the on at 8 1, huskily. faintest idea who Miss Cameron was, forglviness for my presumption and nor where her brother had picked her and go away from you? She tamed to him and laid her hand qp. But she saw at "a glance that she was lovely, and her soul was filled upon htf arm. Am not like other women? Why with strange misgivings.' She was like should f forgive you for loving me? all sisters who hnve pet bachelor Doesn't every woman want to be brothers. She hoped that poor Tom loved? No. no, my friend! Wait! hadn't gone and made a fool of himA moutnt ago I was o weak and self. The few minutes conversation she trembly that I, thought I oh, I was afraid tut myself. Now i am quite had with the stranger only served to See how well I Increase her alarm. Miss Camerons calm and sensible. have myself lu, hand? I do not voice and smile and her eyes! were tremble, t am strong. We may now positively alluring. discuss omuelves calmly, , sensibly. She had had a night letter from Tom OhJ What are you doing? that morning in which he said that he I was bringing a young lady friend down I too wn strong, he whispered. 4ii) sure of my ground now, and I am from the north and would she meet . not afraid." them at the station and put her up He had clasped the hand that rest- for a couple of days? That was all ed on his sleeve and, ns he pressed It she knew of the dazzling stranger up to his heart, bis other arm stole over to the moment she saw her. Immediher shoulders and drew her close to ately after tliut she knew by intuition h'r rVitneiniT)! ldy. For an Instant a great deal more about her than Tom hollow-eye- d ? said he with great significance. And you had them in your pack all the time? You Partly, I had Sprouses most solemn word not tou touch them for a week. He is the only man I feared. He is the only one who could have May I use your telephone, Mrs. Courtney? cried she suddenly. She sprang to her feet, quivering with excitement. Pray forgive me for being so but I I must call up one or two people at once. They are You will understand, I my friends. am sure. Barnes was pacing the floor nervously when his sister returned after conducting her new guest to the room hef. The countess was prepared at the telephone before the door closed behind her hostess. I wish you had been a little more explicit In your telegram, Tom, she said peevishly. If I had known who she Is I wouldnt have put her in that room. Now I shall have to move Aunt Kate back Into It tomorrow and give MisS Cameron the big one at the end Which goes to' prove of the hall. that Toms sister was a bit of a snob in her way. Stop walking like that and come here. She faced him acHave you told all there Is cusingly. to tell, sir? Cant you see for yourself, Ede, that Im In love with her? Desperately, horribly, madly In. love with her. fy pen-poi- , . y , ; i at my elbow a bill. It ought to be ample payment for the damage done to your faithful traveling companion. - Have the necessary dies taken in the gash and you will find the kit as good as new. I was more or less certain not to find what I was after, but as I have done no irreparable injury I am sure you will forgive my love of adventure and excitement. , It was really quite difficult to get from the fire escape to your window, but it was a delightful experience. Try crawling along that ten-jnc- h ledge yourself some day and see if it isnt productive of a pleasant thrill, I shall not forget your promise to return good for evil some day. God knows I hope I may never be in apposition to test your sincerity. We may meet again, and I hope under agreeable circumstances. Kindly pay my deepest respects to the Countess Ted, and believe me to be, Yours very respectfully, , SPROUSE. P. S. I saw ODowd today. He left a message for you and the countess. Tell them, said he, that I ask Gods blessing for them forever.. He is off tomorrow for Brazil. He was very much relieved when he heard that I did not get the Jewels the first time I went after them, and immensely entertained by my jolly description of how I went after them the second. By the way, you will be Interested to learn that he has cut loose from the crowd he was trailing with. Mostly nuts, he says. Dynamiting munition plants in Canada was a grand project, says he,, and It would have come to d women had something if the d d men alone. The only left the d expletives are ODowds. two-doll- . brea-Jklessl- nt he wrote: It will be quite ohvlous to you that I called unexpectedly tonight. The week was up, you see. I take the lib-- ; erty of leaving under the paperweight box-offi- , outstretched arms of the exile. "A very brief New York engagement, he whispered in her ear, he Her knew not how long afterward. head was pressed against his shoulder, her eyes were closed, her lips parted in the ecstasy of passion. Yes, she breathed, so faintly that he barely heard the strongest word ever put into the language of man. Half an hour later he was speeding down the avenue in a taxi. His blood was singing, his heart was bursting with joy his head was light, for the feel of her was still in his arms, the voice of her in his enraptured ears. He was hurrying homeward to the diggings he was soon to desert forever. He was to spend the night at When he ishis sisters apartment. his from forth diggings at halfsued past seven he was attired in evening clothes, and there was not a woman in ail New York, young or old, who would have denied him a second glance. Later on In the evening three of the countess friends arrived at the Courtney home to pay their respects to their fair compatriot and to discuss the crown Jewels. They came and brought with them the consoling information that arrangements were practically completed for the delivery of the jewels into the custody of the French through embassy at Washington, whose intervention they were to be allowed to leave the United States without the formalities usually observed In cases of suspected smuggling. Upon the arrival in America of trusted messengers from Paris, headed by no less a personage than the ambassador himself, the imperial treasure was to pass into hands that would carry it safely to France. Prince Sebastian, still in Halifax, had been apprised by telegraph of the recovery of the jewels, and was expected to sail for England by the earliest steamer. And while the visitors at the Courtney house were lifting their glasses to toast the prince they loved, and, In turn, the beautiful cousin who had braved so much and fared so luckily, and the tall wayfarer who had come into her life, a small man was stooping over a rifled knapsack in a room far downtown, glumly regarding -- the result of an unusually hazardous undertaking, even for one who could perform such miracles as he. Scratching his chin, he grinned for he was tle kind who bears disappointment with a grin and sat himself down at the big library table in the center of the room. Carefully selecting a : , the-'lirs- t sisters arm, he led her from the room. Then he came swiftly back to the Yes," She Breathed. Dont giggle like that ! I couldn't have told you while she was present, could I? That Isnt what I want to know. Is she in love with you? Thats what Pm after. said he, but frowned anxYes, iously. She is perfectly adorable, said she, and was at once aware of a guilty, nagging impression that she would not have said It to him half an hour ear-lie- r for anything In the world. She was strangely white and subdued when she rejoined them later on. She had removed her hat. The other woman saw nothing but the wealth d of hair that rippled. Barnes went forward to meet her, filled with a sudden apprehension. What is It? You are pale and what have you heard? She stopped and looked searchlngly into his eyes. A warm flush rose to her cheeks; her own eyes grew soft and tender and wistful. They all believe that the war will last tw'o or three years longer, she I cannot go back to said huskily. my own country till It Is all over. They implore me to remain here with them until until my fortunes are mended." She turned to Mrs. Courtney and went on without the slightest trace of Indecision or embarrassment in her manner. You see, Mrs. Courtney, I am very, very poor. They have taken everything. I I fear I shall have to accept this kind, generous proffer of a " her voice shook slightof a home with my friends until ly the Huns are driven out." Barnes silence was more eloquent than words. Iler eyes fell. Not until Mrs. Courtney expressed the hope that Miss Cameron would condescend to accept the hospitality of her home until plans for the future were definitely fixed wns there a sign that the object of her concern had given a thought to what she was saying. You are so very kind, stammered the countess. .But I cannot think of Imposing upon Leave It to me, Ede," said Barnes gently, and, laying his hand upon his sun-kisse- Presidential BeesAre Buzzing in Many Bonnets Never in American history have so many men aspired to presidency of the United States. .Neafir two score ellgibles can be mentioned now who are willing to undertake the task of piloting the ship of . , state through the breakers ahead. '''They' Include United States senators by the dozen, governors of states, cabinet and members, a former others "in varyand soldiers president, ing fields of activities. Of the Republican booms the most active today are for Frank O. Low- -' den, governor of Illinois; Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio, and Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, commander of the Central department, U. S. A. On the Democratic side everybody Is wondering what President Wilson f going to do. Some of the Democratic leaders say that it may be necessary to smash all precedent and nominate him for a third term in order to finish the peace job. If President Wilson refuses to be a candidate for a third term the Democratic scramble will be as lively as the Republican. " In the senate the most formidable candidates are Gilbert M. Hitchcock of Nebraska, former chairman of the foreign relations committee; of Ohio ; Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma ; Oscar Underwood of Alabama, and George E. Chamberlain of Oregon, who gained especial prominence in ' resisting the administrations preparedness program. Outside the senate leading Democrats insist that former Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo of New York, the crown prince," still is to be reckoned with, although Mr. McAdoo has said he is not a candidate. In the cabinet are two possibilities. Secretary of War Newton D.' Baker and A. Mitchell Palmer, the attorney general. rir ASHINGTON. ff . - Atleb-romer-en- ' 1 Vast June Exports Stagger Washington Experts figures' on exports for June, showing a total of, $200,000,000 in excess of the record month in the history of the country, have staggered government officials here. While it was realized that exports were climbing by leaps and bounds, even the department of commerce experts who tabulated the statistics were not prepared for the tremendous showing indicated by the figures. The June exports totaled as against $484,000,000 in June, 1918. The record mon.th previously was in April of this year, when the otal was more than $700,000,000. The 'June figures bring the total for the fiscal year ending June 30 up to the Luge sum of $7,225,000,000, as compared with $5,920,000,000 for the. fiscal year ending June 30, 1913., This is more than three times the exports for 1914, the last normal year. Exports since the signing of the armistice are estimated at about $5,900,000,-00The excess of exports over imports for the fiscal year 1919 was against $3,000,000,000 the previous year and less than $500,000. iu Imports for June were valued at $293,000,000, a falling off from the total of $329,000,000 recorded for May, but an increase over the $260,000,000 for June of the' previous year. .... Total imports for the fiscal year just closed are placed at $3,096,000,000, a; against $2,946,000,000 for 1918. I am frankly shocked by these figures, said Secretary Redfieid. There might be a little tendency to exult over them, but the real significance is a deeper one and more of a serious nature.,, The figures involve a tremendous-responsibilitand opportunity. , . We are loaded with wealth. We have got gold, goods, credits, and equipment everything the world wants. The worldis starving for what we have. A A DVANCE , $918,-300,00- 0, 0. $4,129,-000,00- ... , Y. M. C. A. 0, .... .... y Statement Shows Scope of Its Operations i del ailed accounts of the receipts and, expenditures, of ,the Young Christian association show that $125,282,859 was received by it between April ' 26, 1917, and March 81, 1919. Total expenditures aggregated ' in ' the period . named, $97,817,005, leaving a balance of $27,465,854, a sum estimated to be sufficient to carry on the work here and abroad until December 31 next. Slightly more than 2 per cent of the total- - funds' contributed by the American public were expended for religious purposes in the United States and overseas, while approximately 80 per cent was devoted to the purchase, transportation and distribution of canteen supplies and to entertainments, education and athletic sports. In addition to' the provision of free athletic supplies, which included, nrpong other things, in the'United States camps, alone, 557,096 baseballs' and 20,000 sets of boxing gloves, the Y. M. C. A distributed overseas $36,832,449 worth of ' merchandise. Of this merchandise $1,794,771 worth, or approximately 5 per tent, was giVen free to the soldiers. This does not include overseas Christmas gifts and entertainment work, $051.-96Of the $97,817,005 expended, more than $30,000,000 wns spent In the home camps,' more than $43,000,000 with the American expeditionary forces abroad, and $14,409,175 for work with the allied armies and prisoners of war. More than 97,000 concerts, vaudeville performances and other entertain-' ments were staged by, thaY" in American cantonments to an aggregate audience of 43,500,000, at a. cost Of $1, ICC, 767. Ilf addition, free motion picture shows in the home camps, necessitated ail' outlay of $2,328,271. Erection of 950 huts for men in training 'camps on this side cost $7,698,984 and the outlay for maintenance was $3,965,736. The 1,900 or more Y huts and tents built or leased for the use of the Ten hours before Barnes found this American expeditionary forces cost $4.801;271. ' illuminating message on his library table he stood at the window of a of the Prince of Wales Agitates Coming lofty Park avenue apartmpnt building, ' ' 3H- -. ' ' ,i' . his arm about the slender, yielding of heart is Washington to society beginning of the only eteer occupant of rHE palpitate visibly over the figure of the visit of the prince of Wales. The prince is not till the room. Pointing on- over the black some time in October, but it Is undetAtood that Bicckenridge Long, corning the asfst-m- t her attention housetops, he direeu-to the myriad lights in she upper floors fallssecretary of state, to whose office the duty of carrying out and in of a great hostelry U he south and me measure suggesting the enterwest and sold: begin to formulate a "That is where yva ire going to tainment, aswill soon as he returns from program live, darling. 3ar Harbor. , THE ENDj Reports come from, London that the . American embassy is Injven Crees Wonderful Ca, pelsta. volved n the desperate strategy of. "The Ojlbwny, the Ci- -e ' and the Newport and New York society lead-r- s Montagnais are the mon. wonderful to secure the coveted honor of J ennoeraen in the world. says 8. the prince of Wales during E. Sangster, writing of "Vhe Woods its American visit. If only for 15 minin Boys Life. Indian They posutes at a garden party or at some NewpdH pn1iUo,w'rh wuH oiauumg the and designing dames of the 400," and no stone is left unturned. sess a sixth sense In rapld-rnnlnif they say run it you can safely lay a all sorts of cables are received by Ambassador Duls from 'It Is said-thabet at odds Hint they will jn It and New York, Newport and Washington pleading or demanding that the urotm-sadcome through dry even through water secure a modification of the prince's plan' to stick to his warship while the mere glimpse of which makes your In New York. . . , , hair stand up and sends chills chasing Some have gone so far its to bring inllncnm to bear upon some pet up and down your spine." senator at Washington to get him to send a persona) coble to Mr. Puvls urging that he swing the deul. It is a safe bet that somebody will ry to reach Mrs. Even Then. Wilson, hoping that shell put it across with the president. Even the man who thinks twice beIt is reported that even Queen Mary is receiving dallies,' sometime a fore he speaks is often sorry he said undiplomatic terms, urging her to let her hoy grace seme Newport holiday Boston FIRST . - , the 400 - g t of It Transcript |
