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Show i', lY -- - ..j t' i irij ( )' it tiniwl UNCONSCIOUS ROBBERY there waa a her on the head with the club when What wu ahe leta out a veil and he get a scared. He tried to choke her, but it's no go atolen?" The Cleopatra ring. ex plained and ao he backs out and runs for It. the waiter. "She wu n lady that And he took the ring?" demandlived n long time ago and they aay ed Guilford. that ahe uaed to wear thla ring. It Sure. Thats what he waa there belongs to Hiu De Coursey, the for. Juat wanted that, I guess, for of Harold De Coureey. the rest of the stuff wasnt touched. The old man uya that If they catch the thief he'll ahoot him for frightening hia Bister. He'll do it, too. He had almost killed a waiter once for spilling a plate of soup down his back, and another man had been crippled for life because of some slight accident. If they could trace the Invasion of Mlsa De Coursey's room to himself the shot would probably come first and the explanation afterward, if. Indeed, he would be rapable of explaining after that. He pushed aside the remains of hla breakfast and let the waiter take the tray. He wanted to be alone for a time and think. If he moved he might attract suspicion to himself. If he stayed he might be recognised. With a shrug of hia shoulders he started up and began to complete hla dressing. He affected low collars and net he caught up the latter to ties and change to a fresh collar hla fare blanched. Caught in the meshes of the neckwear wu a ring that needed no second glance to be recognised the Cleopatra diamond. If he took it bark tbe chances were that no one would believe that he had not stolen It and brought it back through fear of discovery. If ha sent It by mail It might go utray HAROLD DE COURSEY. unless he registered the letter, and Whate the aleter of n millionaire in the Utter rase they would have a to hla Identity. Express doing In a room on the aeventb clear rlue floor? he drmanded. I should think packages were open to the name obthey would have one of the lower jection and he could not bribe the chambermaid to slip It back. suites. He shook himself together and deSure, the old man has, wu the reeponae, but the old girl thlnka the cided to risk taking a walk. Perair la better higher up. and ahe took haps the freeh air might dear his n room there. 8he put the ring on bead and enable him to hit upon some the bureau and went to bed. Dong scheme. He was Just slipping on his coat about morning ahe woke up and there waa n big man atanding over her with when the door opened softly. He saw n club in one hand and a gun in the the movement in the glass and wheelother. Ho wu juat goin to crack ed about with blanched face. Per l didnt know that WISH you would U m .- Mid tha Clerk robbery. uld Guilford. MUjou he handed Guilford the 'The lady In the neat la very HI and the doctor My he ST nnhea ahe can sleep tonlhtwill cannot tell what turn the dineaae u hey. aia-t- ttJhfe" nd nt ever to the elevator. Since CM. he had been arguing with ackK-Wallace over the Mle of iheBtarllghl 4. He ranch, and It wn now nearly nlfhta three the previous apent Ud with eleeper and ha wu dead JjUpL Hla one thought waa to reach bed. hia room and tumble Into and The ear etopped with n Jerk turned down the dlmly-l- f cited hall in the direction of hla Almost without n aound he unlocked the door and entered. The hand, electric awitch waa done at button though he worked the and forth he could not turn ou of the lights, and with n grunt he made tor the bureau. There waa enough light from the to tieet lampa to enable him to get about bedand Ifhe made n complaint for the light they would he tooling threw an hour with the awitch. He and hla coat and veet on one chair moved to hia hat on another; then he the bureau. He bad Juat thrown down hla colhla lar and tie when n nolae attracted attention. He turned in the direction of the aound and from the bed he aaw rising a ghoatly figure la white while a ahtill femenlne voice demanded who waa there. Cloning the door Guilford looked at the number. It waa Ol, not Ml. The boy had let him off at the wrong floor and ho had been too aleepy to notlre the fart. He gained hla own room without mln-ate- a encountering anyone and In ten wu In bed. Now that the danmla-ha- p ger waa over ha chuckled at the and regarded It aa a rather good joke, but when the boy brought- hla coffee and rolla and the morning paper to hia room. It took on another The waiter wu Inclined to an pert. be chatty and proceeded to give an account of the robbery the night beJamee Guilford nodded aleepjjy Sk dla-cu- iit er u u u - fore. haps they had found out aud had That's just what it did do. he from the opposite side of the room didnt know it until 1 a lib a request that he stop at the Then a girl stepped into the room larit-- to drew this morning. Thcu De Coursey's table on his way out. and softly shut the door. With a gap I found it in uiv tie. You see how Ten minuies later he approached the he recognised her as the girl he bad easily it catches." table, aud a as greeted by a smile seen with the De Course) s. As he He drew the ring from bis pocket, from Eliza belli. This is Mr. Guilford, fsiher. she turned she looked for the first time pulled off the lie and let the claws come for him. suilli-d- . 1 lu his direction aud with a murmur- catch in the soft fabric. ed apology made a retreat. Guilford He handed her the ring and she sprang toward her. moved toward the door. As she put "Are ou Mine De Coursey? he her hand on the knob hla band closed asked. The girl nodded. "Will you over hers and checked lta movement. please come in just s moment? he pleaded. What do you mean she cried. "Let go of my hand. You were going to your aunt'e room were you not? he asked. "How did you guess? she asked, wonderingly. "Thats just the point. he cried. You see you got off r the wrong A nine looks tery like a six floor. and vice versa. "Did you briiyt me here to tell me that? ahe asked, coldly. "What do you mean? 1 cannot fblnk very rapidly, he You see 1 have said, confusedly. had an awful day. IT you had not coma I think I should hava gone craxy. You looked like au angel standing there In the doorway. We will dispense with compliments." she said, aa ahe glanced down at her white dress, tun you explain the reason for your most unusual request ? Im trying to, ha Mid. Pleaae be patient. You see it Is this way. I made the mistake lu reverse. You mean that you were the man who broke Into my aunte room last night? she cried as she half rose. Yes. he confessed. But you see yourself how easy It was to make the mistake. It wu early In the morning, and ,1 had been talking business for about alx hours. I just glanced at the door. My key fitted and when I couldn't turn on the light I waa Juat going to bad in the dark when aha yelled. I was foolish not to stay and explain, but you know bow you do something on ini pulse that you are sorry for afterward, and I Just ran. But ths ring? sbe asked. Did that ny with you?" Just one thing more." he Mid. emYou do believe that I am telling the truth, dont you? barrassed!-. Certainly, she said in surprise. He stood aside and she passed out. Late that evening he weut into the restaurant for something to eat. The place was rrowded with the afler-theaiparties, and he had some trouble in finding a table, hut at last the head waiter led him to a tiny Lalile lu e corner. He had slipped into a chair before he realized that he waa so placed that he almost faced Elfzalieth l)e Course)'. She nodded pleasantly to him aa he caught her eye. and went on chatting with her father while he turned to ihe bill of fttra with hia brain reeling with emotions. There was more than recognition in the nod; there was friendliness, and Guilford realised that all was well. Guilford went to bed with a swimming head. It was aparent that he had gotten out of one difficulty only to fall lato another. He was in love with the daughter of a He had a comfortable fortune built up front the sale of western rest estate, but be was no match for Elisabeth De Coursey. He tossed restlessly through the night, and the dawn found him still A cold bath helped him wakeful. aomewhat, hut he was still feeling badly when be went down to breaker a. fast. The I)a Course)! were at table In the corner, where they had sat the night before. He took n table on the other aide of the room and made pretense or eating a grape fruit, though he had to choke the soft pulp down hla throat. Then a waiter rime toward him will be a long lima before I add ths wings and harp. ahe laughed. "Well, we go tomorrow morning, It hae been a perfect week. he Mid. Let's walk out to the edge of the bluff aud have a last look at ths gulch. said, as she moved her chair to perThey passed out of the room tomit him to place a seat. My father gether aud slowly made their way wants to consult you about some down tha single street of the town, 1 was sure land. she added. you in the valley beneath were the mines, could give him the information he and for a few momenta they stood wanted. winching the scene. Then ahe looked The elder man turned to him with up to encounter hie Intent gate. a question, and after that there wae Are the thoughts worth the trauo time to even look at Elisabeth. ditional penny? she asked. 1 dont Harold De Coureey wae a direct think ao, he Mid. They were day dreams, and esstles In Spain have no marketable value." But aonte times they become real. she smiled. Not this sort, he declared. Mine fly too high. What are they, pray? ahe asked. You seem to have the faculty of getting all you want. Save what I want moat. ha smiled. 1 went a private angel. And why not that? ahe Mked. Would you have me ask an angel to leave heaven to dwell on Mith? he Mid. tha Perhaps the angel liked earth, aha suggested. If I were you I should at least ask her: for, of course. It is a girl angel you want. The same angel I met at the hotel. he explained. That angel would be glad, aha Hid. 1 know how ahe has felt ever since that night. Sha wae afraid that aha might hava to stay In heaven. ELIZABETH. Til try to make her one on earth, if she will hare me' he Mid, soberly. She placed her hands in hla and man. and ha plied Guilford with questions as rapidly as they could be an- their lips met. A step caused them swered. At laet be rose from the to turn aud (hey faced Harold Da table. Coureey. "It seemed to me, he said, that "I must bg off, he said. Got an Dine with us tonight, for a hustler like you, Guilford, It'a engagement. will you? I want to hear more about taken you two an awfully long time waa that Montana tract. You'rs the first to coma to an understanding. man Ive met that knows hla bust afraid that my matchmaking wu goneaa, and with an approving nod ha ing to be a failure. "Then you are willing? uked had stumped off This ia heaping coals of fire, on Jamee In surprise. anxious, Both willing and my head." Mid Uuilford. turning to I waa afraid chuckled the old man. Elisabeth. soma blamed She smiled and blushed as sha re- Eliubeth would marry membered the night before I hops It dude Inatead of man." , THE SCRIBBLED ADDRESS fingered the the book. It was EDGERTON very Interesting volume, and ha wondered why it wu that authors would write that sort of a book. Then hla eya caught anma penciled words on the margin of one of tha pages. Curiously ho road tha address, "Dorothy Gay, Blaine Helgbta, written lu a rounded feminine hand. Edgerton liked the writing, none of your angular fashionable scrawls, but a primly precise formation. He wondered what had Induced her to do eurh an odd thing. It would erve her right If ho should write He Bought through hla friends to . make her acquaintance, but somehow, Are you the man who wrote that he could not find a single person that latter to my alster? waa ths surpris- knew the Gaya, though many knew ing reply to hie conventional speech. of them. It wm not until Thanksglr-lu- g that he met her. "Not knowing who you are, how Hia mothers pet charity had been may I know? laughed Gene. 'I am Paulus Gay," waa the angry the dinner to tbs poor on Thanksgivresponse. I guess you remember that ing and Christmas. Every year since her death he had sent a large conletter." Bat I didn't eend that one, tribution In her name and had volunHow did you come to teered hla services Just as ha had amlled Gene. dona when ahe wm alive. find out about It? This year waa no exception, and Then you admit writing It? when the long line of destitute ones screamed Gay. He raised hla whip and was about filed into the armory. Gene stood at to strike. Gene reached out a long the head of one of tha tables. There had been a strike In the arm and caught hla coat collar. "Sit down and listen sensibly, he factorlM that formed the town's leadcommanded. Then briefly he sketch- ing Induatry, nnd the line waa longed out the ehaln of incident, laying er than usual, and Inclined to be unstress upon the loneliness of the aft- ruly. The tablea could only accomernoon, the dullneM of the book and modate 600 at a time and some 1,500 were compelled to welt outside. the necessity for some occupation. T41 show you the book, he conEverything wee done to expedite cluded m ha roM to hia feet. Come the service, hut those left outside began to grow uneasy, and presently Intp the library." Guy followed him unbelievingly the rumor spread through the ranks Into the room, but when he saw the that only those already inalde would writing he looked pu axled. That Is be fed. I Up end down the line tho news not Dorothy's writing," he Mid. flashed and presently with no apparnever aaw It before." "Taka It along and see If your sla- ent Impulse the crowd strained pan ter can recognize It. suggested Gene. the police Udm and made a rush in"She can probably find the aolntlon. side. ThoM within sprang to conIn the daya that' followed, he front the mob, and the men who had thought often of the Incident, and charge of the various tablea faced when, about a week later, he received the invaders. Most of the women fled, shrieking, a dainty note with the Blaine Heights to the kitchen, but one girl, who had postmark, he blushed like a girl. It was only a formal note In the attracted Edgerton attention from third person explaining that her ad- the first, nought to hrgue with the dress had been given a stranger and mob, SMurlng them that all would noted In n book just purchased. be fed If they were patient. For a moment It seemed aa though Through an error this book had been laid oa the counter and another she would succeed in turning them fel back, but suddenly a heavy-staken up. Edgerton - Idly l her. . Gene Edgerton was a clever correspondent, and he took real pleasure In framing a letter that would contain Just exactly the right note of respectful admiration. Had ha been Intended to send It he could not hive taken greater pains. The fireplace had been hla poat-ho- x then, for he had sublime belief In the childish theory that In some occult fashion tha ascending smoke of tho letter would carry hla message to the old Hint. With twinkling area he carefully sealed and addressed the letter. Then the telephone out in the hall began to ring and he burrl. d to answer it. Bobbie Davids was at the other end and the announcement that hla new automobile had come drove all thoughts of the letter from Edger-ton- s head. He hurried Into hla coat and slipped out. It was brought forcefully to hla attention a few days later. Hla man came with the announcement that a gentleman who would not give hia name was waiting In tha parlor, and leisurely descended the Ire.- et low sprang toward her. The rush almost carried Edgerton off hie feet, hut he managed to keep hla footing and let the mob sweep him diagonally toward the side of the armory. The girl had fainted and hung limply against hla elds. Hla left arm wm of no use, every movement of the crowd waa an agony as the ragged ends of the bone grated against the flesh, and at times a feel, ing of faint neae swept over him. The fight lasted only n couple of minutes, but It seemed hours to Gene A pitcher of water end some glasses stood on tha table, and be lightly her face. Presently she sprinkled stirred slightly and opened her eyes. He wm afraid that ahe might be hysterical, but her first speech dispelled his fears. "Did they hurt you? she asked, her mind going bark to tha moment when ahe had fainted. He mussed me up n bit," be smilI think my arm ia broken. ed lurk. With a little cry sbe sprang to her feet. Let me help you off with your coat, she Mid. "I hava taken tbe first aid course. Slowly and tenderly she helped Mm to slip off tbe coat, and with a gentle touch ahe stripped hla sleeve to the ehoulder. If I only had something to make splints of, she murmured, I think I could net It." This la G companys room, be Dr. Cappa keeps a field kit Mid. here." GENE AND DOROTHY. he wm poshed out of the and flung against the door of the company rooms. first door wss locked, and so wm tha next, but the third had been left unlocked for the use of tbe committee In charge of the dinner. It was awkward opening the door with hie good hand, for he still bad to support the girl, but somehow he managed it and slipped inside. before crowd one of Tha She sprang to a cupboard and threw It open. "This must be It. ahe cried ae ahe dragged out n heavy box. "That's It, he confirmed ; "but It'a locked." There waa a trophy of arms on the wall, and with a smile she took down Here la the key, she a battleax. smiled as aha deftly forced up the lid. Then with white face she went to work, and presently ahe gave the last touch to tho outside bandage and regarded her work with Mtlsfactlon. That may not be as good aa Dr. Capps would hava done, she Mid, but it'a lota belter than letting the poor arm awing around and Inflame the tissues. "It feels good, he sighed, as ahe lipped the sling about hla neck, and took the weight of the arm away. 'Most gtrla would have fainted." 1 have seen a great deal of charity work, ahe explained, "and I took a short hospital course." "I am deeply grateful It you. Mlaa lie paused for a name. "Gay," she supplied. "Dorothy Gay. "I am Gene Edgerton," he laughed. I think you "I know," sbe nodded, blushing I aaked to be put at the softly. table you captained." "Did you? he cried, hie face glowing with pleasure. "I wm afraid you might not want to know auch a clumsy boor." It waa such a funny mistake," ebe cried, and you wrote such a charming letter." "It was a horrible afternoon," he defended, "and I wove a sort of romance about tbe Incident. I didn't know, you see, tbat it was merely n nieippiandum of an address. Mrs. Caatoa made It," aha explained. "She met Daley Dannie, and Delay told her that If aha would write me I would nerve at thla dinner. It wae not until aha had seen Daisy again nnd wrote that I could trace the mistake." And I fell in love with the writing, first," he laughed, as ha recalled the elderly and auster Mrs. Caston. "I am afraid that yours Iq a hopeless passion," aha laughed la return. Gene groped hia way to Dorothy and unconsciously threw hla arm roar with a dull Bound. Gently ha drew her Into a corner m the first shot waa answered by other. "Bullets might coma through the door, he explained. We are perfectTbe walla are three ly ufe here. tfalckneeees of brick." It seems ao horrible," abe murmured. "If I were alone I think I should die,1- It will all be over soon," he assured. It will not taka long to clear tha hall." The fight seemed coming to their side of the armory, and once or twice bullets crMhed through the paneling of ihe door. Then the lights flashed np again. Through the door they could hear the sound of cheering, end as this died away the noise began In the street outside of the window. "Some sort of reinforcements have come, he Mid. "They have driven the mob out of the building. Stay here a moment." "It ! all right bow, he uld, with a wistful emtio. "Tbe siege ! raised and wa are back to commonplace times again. Sbe caught something of his spirit. Out of tha land of romance back to tha workaday world." Something in her tones eaught bin r . attention. "Back to tha workaday world," he repeated, "but not out of tha land Must It ha that, Doof romance. rothy?" "Not If you want it otherwise, about her shoulder. ao aha Mid gently, "and I hope you aha What ia It? whispered faintly that ha had to bend hla head don't deer." to catch what ahe wu Hying. She I married you for pity, and be an"1 think it's the police, now swered. He You don't get any, for all Ruth clung closer to him aa the aound of a pistol shot pierced the our friends lavish it on me. PARLEZ VQUS FRANCAIS walked bravely into CLARABEL Swarthy men curiously at her from under shocks of thick black . nair that swept over their brows In what was Intended to be artistic contusion. but Clarabel looked neither " he right nor left, and kept her straight ahead to where there n unoccupied table. The welter bowed obsequiously as placed her chair. Ladles who came lone to the Cafe Celestln well tor service, and he hoveredpaid around ie table she gaxed blankly at the of u fere. Have you thniFrenh . an English bill? ahe t0 decipher 1 Anfllaie?" echoed Non. the waiter, aoft-y- - 'But I can't read this, she ex"i want a luncheon. atared doubtfully at v. r. then slipped away. Presently he turned with another man who itemed to be the head waiter. Ciarabel repeated her request, with ,ucreM-- The answers were voluble, but entirely In French, and nMr they sought to make her .n..w,,lin1, 'he more rapidly Ihey and the leva chance there waa ! h might catch an occasional Ll.,,whlch "nwtnad to her of her hoarding arhool French. '""t "he began to cry. It was ot disappointing. Here she bad irted out to celebrate her :aden.1-- d t the very ou-- t she had plained. lrl,r lecture her It wm better that the split should come before than after marriage. It waa over thla very cafe Celestln that they had argued, and In soreness of spirit ahe had determined to celebrate her fredom by Inncblng there. Tbe outside of Ihe quaint little place had attracted her. and ahe had begged Algte to take her there some time. I don't want you mixing In with that aet," he had explained. "If I take you there I shall have to introduce yon to some of the chaps, and I dont want to do that. They are all right in their way, but their way ia not yours." It wm with a delicious sense of daring that ahe had entered the place, and now tha tears fell softly. Hia The waiter was In despair, torrent of French only made the tMra flow faster, and at last with a ah rug of the shoulders he went softly away. American women were moet InPerhaps, after ahe comprehensible. had done crying, the would go away. Meanwhile, what waa there to do? To the proprietor he related the ojd occurrence of the young woman who waa ao unreasonable as to demand that the language of the conn-tr- y be spoken. Barton, who had Juat come In, pricked np his Mrs. "I wonder. he Mid, softly. "I'll bet it is. Here. Francois, he added, "I will see the young in French. lady. Perhaps I can atraighted It h'ffht before ahe had given lout." the ring he had slipped He (trolled past the desk, followed Aieie Barton expedition," be explained. "You see people speak no English, and they think you are craxy. They are liable to send for the police and make a dreadful scandal. "Dont any of them apeak English?" ahe asked. "Not to be noticed. You see, tbia Is an ultra-Frenr- b place. Artist chaps and fellows like tbat come here because they like to keep their French up. When a waiter gets ao be ran apeak English they fire him." "I think Ita horrid, she sobbed. "I told you you wouldn't like It." he smiled. "Im glad that you decided to see for yourself. How do you like being relieved from the lecture course? It isn't kind to remind me, she said, her lip beginning to quiver. "You should be Mtlsfled with the trouble I am In. "I am. he agreed. 'Amply content. 1 knowbat you realise that I am. right. Now. I'm going to order the very beet they can put up. and you will see that even their best Is not as good as that little place uptown." "Id like to be there right now, she Mid. wistfully. "We'll have a celebration dinner there this evening. he promised. "I got a check from the Carroll today, and was going to drop in for you. anyway. Can't we go up there now? she 'HAVE YOU AN ENGLISH BILL?" SHE STAMMERED. pleaded. Barton shook bis head. Better for you to see this him all and he softly sank Into the I think youre horrid to come and taunt through." he declared. "You want and finish off a job when to bo gsme 'me. seat across tbe table. ' a aa ft nice time?" he asked, "Having "Im not a taunter; Im a relief on her finger last June, nnd had told by the grateful glance of Francois. I cheerfully. him If he 'was going to continually One bllmpm of the golden bead told I "Go away," sobbed Clarabel. "I these Clarabel leaned back in her chair while Barton gave the order. The place wu quaint In appearance, and the Paris atmosphere wm wonderfully preserved, but the cooking wu but ordinary, and the men who formed tbe greater part of ths patronage were loud and boisterous In their manner. Sbe wu glad when the coffee came, and Barton purged hla chair back. "Ia there anything else you want? he asked, aollcltlously. "A cprdial, or eomethlng? I just want my ring back, ' if I may have It," ahe Hid, meekly. Please, I'll be good now. Southern Tragedy. beautiful damsel of Katchex Went roaming through nettleweed A patches. Now ahe alts in her room. With a heart full of gloom. And scratches, and scratches, scratches,, and THE PRIVATE'S PRIDE. The late Gen. Joeeph Wheeler. Mid a southerner, vu one of the braveet men who erer llred. He wu wounded three times during the cItII war, and sixteen hones were shot dead under him. "Yet it wu not hia military, but hla literary achievements that he took most pride In. He knew thla was foolish, but he conld not help it. He Mid once to me, apologetically, that he wu not the only man whose pride was misplaced. He uid that, in a certs Is engagement In hia youth, ha once heard a private swearing and cursing moet frightfully. "Lieut. Wheeler, he wu then, went up to the private and Mid, sternly: Where did you learn to awear like that? "The private, at thla question, smiled modestly. 'Ye can't iMrn it, ha auwered. Ita a gift. Ho Danger. From Erin. Look here. Mid tbe barber to tbe "Juat from Ireland, are you?" askIf you ed the lady la want of a maid to the restleM man in the chair. don't keep still I'm liable to cut your applicant for the post, "and war you throat." trained across the water? "Shure, ye must know better nor Oh. Cm not afraid of that, rereplied the girl; I plied the helpless victim, ao long as that, ma'am," across." wa rasor. use shipped to that continue yon Mrs. Naggers 1 should Ilka to Pearl Helen married! Why, she told me that the wouldn't accept know what you had before I married you? the best men tbat walks. Mr. Nagger Well. I had a fttch- Ruby Well, Jlerry doesn't walk; car. motor a he's got V -- V |