THE 8ALEM CAPITA! JOCTBNAL. SALEM. OHM' SATTOPAT
.TTTTTB WH,
THE
MASTER
MIND
Novelized by Marvin Dana,
Author of "Within tho Law,"
From the Successful Play
by Daniel D. Carter
Copyright, 1913. by the H. K.
Fly Company
Tin? day of doom, then, was near at
li.md.
It tool: all tho lover's strength of will
In hide f ruin his brlile tho shock ho
liirl Hiisluiiii'il, but Bomehow he cur-
I, , c,V
11 ! 1
I Am
1 1
mmm :
lovers They Were.
ricil Ihe effort through to success, iiihI
1 , 1 1. 1 1 1 ( 1 1 1 1 no suspicion Unit nil wits
Hot well with tin; man she so wor
shiped. Hut. at once on his return
iiom llin Wi iti in lt Journey, Wnliiwrlght
Hiiiiiiiioni'il .Marshall, the I'liiki'i'toii
Mc-nt, ami directed I In; lcl i'i-I I vo lo
in-.o every resource in iui endeavor lo
discover I lie mysterious I nc.
Nevertheless he wax happy In his
lire, happy lievnnil aiijit that lei hail
ever coni -el Veil as possible, for I lie lovo
between li 1 tn Mini his wife was a per
iod love. The vengeance that threat
eni'il lil in was not one to make a bra Ml
man weaken, for II was undeserved.
He had no sin tin his conscience. He
could hold fast to his happiness un
dismayed. It was otherwise with Luoenc. The.
burden of null! drained her forces.
Site had pleaded Willi Andrew In vnln
for Ihe privilege of open confession, of
Hie whole I mill concerning her past
lite, lo her hiisliaud. Such candor had
lieen the Insllnct of her Innocence, mid
licit Instinct was never slain, though
i linked to silence by the specious
h tptilst rles of Ihe Master Mind, lie
succeeded, however, In convincing her
impel llelally that perfect frankness lo
ln-r husband would repel, would drive
Hie lover from her nrins.
If Wuluwrhiht was the one most
happy in wholesome wise It was th
Muster Mind himself who round an
unholy linppluims In the bizarre sllua
t mi lltat he had connived so cunning
ly for the ullluiale iieeomillslnnent o(
his revenue. Thus far In truth his
success had been uueoulvocal. There
hid been no failure anywhere In tin
u iccnscs lie hud evolved for the coll
minima i Ion of his revenue against the
in in he hated.
In Hie drawing room of the Wnln
wrkht iiiinslon Hlount was pacing to
and fro souiewhat nervously, branding
over many things ami wondering
mightily as lo when he should be per
muted to lelurn to fie Irainpill pleas
ures of Laramie, Vt'yo., where he knew
tiol fear ami where lie was respis'ted
of all men. Mrs. ltlounl and l.iicene
sit near h nth -r by 'he windows,
looking mil oer the fast darkening
laudsiaie. Hut presently Mrs. Ul.nint
loi in d In her husband
"My iMOilucfS, .Inliii!" she exclaimed
leprnai hfully. "I do wish son In law
would hurry up. Why, I'm so horri
bly hungry I'm fading away to a
nil ailow."
111. .ant hailed.
"Von really hungry, mother?" he do
linindcd. "Hungry, mother'?" she cried. "Well,
I guess yes: Why. 1 n'n't had i nioi th
fnl since din-lunch. And I didn't
think much of that If you ask nut-- so
(here! lileer old soup!"
"You had boiiio fried smelts he-Ides
the soup," thi husband reminded her.
I.ncetie, also, turned Inward Ihe two
in id smiled demurely.
"And yon had Ihreo lamb chops,
Invaded."
"And some creamed polutoes." Blount
added.
1 .ucene nodded n'sellt.
"Yen, mid Kuuie fruit salad."
"And three piece of punklii plo,"
yuulh the hunbuud.
" "And a pot of chocolate," declared
tho mistress of tho house, Inughlug
outright.
"Dearie mc!" Mrs. Blount snld huf
fily, facing the young wife. "To hear
you tulle anybody 'd think you be
grudged me enough food to keep body
and skirt together."
Parker, whom Andrew had brought
on to the new establishment, appeared
with the announcement that dinner
was served.
Mrs. mount boiled In the direction
of the dining room, lint the westerner
turned courteously to his hostess.
"Come on, I.uceiie," he said kindly.
The distressed girl, however, refused
with a shake of the head.
"You go, please," she directed. "1
prefer to wait for Cortland. He's In
the library talking politics with his
campaign secretary, but he must come
soon."
"With Mr. Marshall, eh? And does
he think lie's going to be elected?"
I.uceiie forgot her trouble for u mo
ment lu her Interest over the political
fortunes of the man she loved, as
mount had hoped she might.
"He's not sure," she replied animat
edly. "Mistress of the executive mansion
nt Albany!" Blount said, half bauter
ingly. "Hum! Pretty soft for you If
he pulls it olf, eh, daughter?"
I.iiceni! laughed happily.
"(Jo to dinner," sho repeated. "I
think I'll go and hurry Cortland up."
mount went his way obediently
since lie saw that such was her pref
erence. The dilatory husband made
his appearance to be greeted with an
exclamation of pleasure by his wife,
"I was waiting for you, Cortland,"
she said fondly. "I couldn't bear the
Idea of going In without you, for I was
worried. You must not work so hard.
You'll get sick."
"Nonsense!" he answered gayly. "I'm
us strong as an ox." He stooped and
raised her to his side, drew her close
and the lips of the two met In a ten-
der caress.
"Hut even oxen get sick sometimes, I
suppose," r.nceno suld, will) a pout
"Anyhow, we must go In to dinner.
You must have food for work, like the
beasts of the Held, you dear, big, silly
man!" the wife said, with a huge con
tent in her voice.
"Oh, you udorable, lovely little wo
man!" he said affectionately.
Of a sudden he released her, put her
from him, to her hurt surprise. "That
poem," he muttered, and picked up a
book from the nearby table, with
which ho returned to I.uceiie, "Do you
know, I've found some verses here that
might have been written for you and
me. Somehow It .seems that one takes
to poetry naturally when In lovo.
Listen, dearest, lo this stair.a:
"I have leil her home, my love,
My only friend;
TIutu Is iinnu liku her nonel"
A kls made sweet caesura. In tho
rhyllim of the verse.
Then he rend on:
"And nevi r hu warmly rnn my blood,
And HWeelly on and on
CiiliniiiK llsult"
The soft palm of the girl on his lips
brought the reading to an end.
oh, please, please-you mustut-
you niiiMtn t; l no low voice was
pleading.
Whv not';" Walnwrlght demanded.
greatly surprised by this Insistence, a
illlle grieved.
(Hi, If you only knew! If you only
knew!" The words came walling. As
she ultered them, Luceiie sprang from
him and turned her face aside.
"See here, dearest," Walnwrlght ex
hi I nit d, In much distress over her sud
den dejection. "You're not not wor
rying over anything, are you'"
"There's nothing Ihe mailer nothing
whatever, (Inly sometimes I- I'm so
happy Unit 1 Just know It can't possl
lily hist."
Walnwrlght smiled gently.
"Vdii menu you're so happy that
you're troubled?"
"Yes," hIic said, but she (lid not yet
lift her eyes to bis.
"And (hat's all?"
"Yes, thal's all," SUM the eyes re
nin! mil downcast.
In
dainty face nnd demuro manner, was
Inclined to think that he might make
himself n safe position In the world
and secure a satisfactory living with
out work by marrying this bread and
butter miss, t'nl'ortunately, however,
he soon found that the carrying out of
his design was beset with ditllcullles,
for somehow latterly it seemed that
he whs never to see Helen for a mo
ment alone," much less given oppor
tunity for an elopement even were the
preliminary arrangements made.
As he meditated now, It was clear
to him that he must appeal directly to
Lu. cue for aid lu the execution of his
purpose. I'udcr this necessity lie was
Irrltuled hy the fact that already, un
der Andrew's compulsion, he had set
himself before bis putative sister In a
remarkably bad light. He had been
forced to pretend financial distress to
her and beg her to help him In saving
him from exposure and disgrace. Nat
urally, to save the possibility of lair
ing the whole hateful truth to her hus
band, Mrs. Walnwrlght had yielded to
his demands nnd supplied hlui repeat
edly with money without her husband's
knowledge. The fact Increased her
self contempt. Hut Walter's sole con
cern in the matter was dissatisfaction
over the effect these transactions must
have lu tanking her hostile to himself
and so un obstacle, not u help, lu his
plan to possess Helen.
Walter scowled as be reflected on
the fact that this flniinclnl intriguing
with I.uceue was iiltogether an annoy
ance to him since even the money In
volved did not remain with lilm, but
was Invariably turned over to Andrew
by that taskmaster's orders. "Devil
ish poor pickings, I cull it!" was the
thief's unspoken comment, with a
sneer. Anyhow, ne deemed ne must
muke the effort to enlist Lucene's as
sistance in his wooing of Helen. With
this resolve he looked up to behold
Parker In the doorway.
"A gentleman to see you, sir," was
tho announcement.
Walter was astonished nnd nlnrmed,
for he knew of no acquaintance likely
to bo within miles of this neighbor
hood and certainly none aware of his
Identity as Waller Hlount. But be
fore he could determine un answer to
the waiting servant Andrew himself
appeared,
"Pardon me, sir," ho said In tones
of the utmost respect; "but perhaps
you had belter leave the matter to me.
I think I know the man's business. It
Is really not of the least importance,
sir." lie gave a low order to Purker.
"Oh, nil light, If you say so," Wal
ter returned, grumpily, concealing the
relief be felt In learning that this was
probably nnolher of his tyrant's con
trivances rather than a pursuer on his
own trail. "Who Is the guy?" ho ask
ed, as l'arker disappeared ufter the
1 low tnuUeu command from Ids employer.
Andrew regarded the young man
with wlnlery eyes, through narrow
lids.
"That," he Raid gently, but with an
Inflection that was convincing, "is one
ipicslloii loo many." Then, ho turned
slowly, and went out of the room, un
mindful of the scowling thief, who
(TilUcd helpless under his domination.
Andrew, after leaving the library, as
cended directly to bis own room nt
Ihe toll of the bouso and there found
the caller whom Parker had Just guid
ed thither.
"My eye!" the somewhat rough ap
pearing Individual, remarked amiably,
us the Master Mind entered, "This Is
some swell Joint, hey?"
"Mr. Walnwrlght will be pleased
wllb your commendation, sir," An-
CHAPTER IX.
Tho Advant of Creocjnn,
A I. T Kit fought the library Im
mediately after dinner, to
snioKe and lo brood over vil
lous personal concerns of
Ills own. lie found, Indeed, that his
moods were tickle to such an extent
thai he hardly knew from hour to hour
whether he were glad or wretched. Al
ways, at Ihe h of Ids thought, there
was Hie hauiillng dread of Ihe de
tectives that sniiuht his trail.
Hu aeuiulit of litem be was grateful
for this refuge. Hul, on the other hand,
he experienced a growing alarm over
this Intimate relation with Walu
wrlcht. the renowned foe of criminals
siii h us he. There was something niou
strous lo Walter In Ihe fact that lie.
Ihe Ihlef, was here posing openly, If
not boldly, us the brother In-law of Ihe
uiosi clTectlie district attorney New
York had ever possessed, v hose popu
larity thus seciinsl bade fair now to
make the man the chief executive of
the slate. This association w ith Wain
wrlglit kept the youth In a constant
tremor of apprehension lest the worst
befall. He eXMisiilaled III vnln with
Andrew, who treated hlui and Ills ar
guments with a galling couleuipl. Ills
oh" id to the disdain of the Master lay
In the patent admiration accordiil him
hy Helen Walnwrlght, (he great man's
sister, who, to be sure, win merely a
schoolgirl of sixteen, on her vacation,
yet the heiress to n tidy fortune nnd
remarkably pretty, If not especially
burdened with brains. With something
of her brother's power of Idoallautluii,
though with a less worthy subject, she
was able lo see In Walter excellence
enough lo make lilm (he hem of her
lirst foolish maidenly dreaming.
On his part, Walter, drawn by her
1 t
..s
it
"Who
ii the fluyf
wllh a manner of hu
drew answered
blind servlllly.
"Say, don't you get fresh, old gee
iter!" the visitor exclaimed angrily.
"And, anyhow, why am I tucked up
here In the attic. What's the game,
eh?" lie stood for a moment, blink
ing thoughtfully ut the butler of Ihe
household, and n sudden recollection
assailed him. "Walnwrlght's Just got
married- what?"
"Yvs, sir," Andrew replied, Rtltl lu his
assumed character. "Mr. Walnwrlght
was married about nix months ago,
sir."
"Some class to lilm!" the caller de
clared, with much respect, If little ad
miration. "Married and nominated
for governor nil lu the same month.
That's going nmne, believe mot" He
nodded toward the window, uud there
ivna n noticeable nnnreheuslveness
his voice when next he spoke. "Siy,
'bo, what's that big building off across
there on the hill? Ain't no Jail 'round
here, us ever I heard."
"No, sir," Andrew said. "That Is the
Powhuttan Asylum I'or the Insane, un
der tho direction of the celebrated Dr.
I'orbes." Abruptly a clause came Into
the manner of Ids address, and he
spoke to the stocklly built man facing
him with an Incisive directness that
caused the sharpened features of his
listener to express a new, suspicious
alertness. "You ore l'i"m (-'hicago,
sir?"
"What's that to you':" the fellow
snarled, his small eyes lowering.
Andrew wasted not time.
"Your name Is Crcewui," lie said
coldly. "You were sent here hy Mr.
VVhllcomb."
"Well, now, Mr. Know It all," was
the Insolent retort, "maybe I was. and
maybe I wasn't What's ihe answer?"
"You were to inquire for Walter
Blount, but another person was to give
you a sign." Andrew set the lltigers
of his right hand to the familial' sym
bol of protection against the evil eye.
The heavy face of tho visitor relaxed
Instantly, nnd he breathed a sigh of re
lief. "So you're the guy!" he growled.
"I'm the man, yes," Andrew cor
rected. Creegan went close and spoke In n
wiilsper, his face lighted now with n
glow of avarice.
"Listen!" he snld rapidly. "The boss
said this wim a pipe, that there d be
ten thousand In the haul for me, nnd
even if I was pinched they wouldn't
do anything to me. That gets my nan
ny. Say, Is It on tho level
"It Is."
"Just the same," Creegan Insisted
violently, "you got to show nie. I tell
you I ain't n bit stuck on It. Yep, you
got to show me. If It's such a pipe
why did you send all the way to Chi
cago for me wheu New York's full of
smooth propositions Just askln' for the
chance?"
Andrew made no answer In words,
but went to ills bureau, from which he
toolt out n Japanned tin box, which he
unlocked with n key from Ids ring. He
brought forth a photograph, which he
passed to tho curious Creegan.
A single glance stillh ed the man. He
stared nt Andrew In stark amazement
"Well, I'll be !" ho gasped.
Maggie-Maggie Flint!'' He regarded
the photograph again, astounded.
Say," he demanded curtly, looking up
again, "how did that come here?
Andrew putVorth his hand, possessed
himself of the photograph and restored
It to the box, which be carefully locked'
and replaced lu tho drawer beforo an
swering; then nt last lie turned to tho
Impatiently waiting Creegan, whose
thick lips were twitching from nervous
excitement.
"Now suppose," he hM evenly, "for
example, that you planned to steal
some valuable Jewels you have heard
spoken of?"
Creegan's eyes grew furtive.
"Llko the Walnwrlght sparklers,
hey?"
"And let us supposo further," An
drew continued Impcrtnrbnblv, "that
you were apprehended In the net."
Tho supposition appeared to discon
cert Creegan, if one might Judge by
the thick furrows In his forehead nnd
the savage tightening of his lips.
"Say, you," he grunted. ".lust you
pnrailo the kind of talk I know. Get
that?"
"Suppose you get pinched, collared,"
Andrew amended ' tranquilly. "And,
furthermore, let us suppose that the
owner of Ihe Jewels was of nn old nnd
honorable family and nt this particular
lime n nominee for high ofllco. Now,
do you think he would risk scandal by
prosecuting you If It so chanced Hint
you recognized In his wlfo Home one
you had known In very different cir
cumstances, some one named, let us
say, Maggie I'llnl?"
A silence fell, lii which Andrew stood
immobile, Impassive, regarding his new
tool wltli n calm yet piercing scrutiny,
and ('reegan rested ngnpe, his widened
eyes fast on tho other, striving dymbly
to digest the bewildering fact that the
girl with whom he had wandered fond
ly In the streets of Chicago yenrs be
fore was become lu very truth tho mis
tress of this mansion. At Inst he shook
his head Incredulously,
"No," he miiltered, "it can't bo Mag
gie -the wire of that swell guy, Waln
wrlght!" "Hut It Is!" Andrew retorted shnrp
ly, and the words carried conviction.
"Cee! Maggie!" h0 mumbled con
fusedly. "Weil, I'm a son of n gunl"
"I am to uuilersiaii 1, then," tho Mas
lor Mind suggested suavely, "that you
know the lady?"
Creegan's dull fa -e lightened Instant
ly. Something of the bestiality bred
out of evil years fe'l from hlui.
"Do I? Why, I knew her from 'way
hack. Otiess sh. come from pretty
good stock, though her old man was
down and mil when I knew 'em. She
had darn poor pi. kin's. Maggie had.
Any oilier skirt with her looks would
have gone to the bad llcketty split; but
tint her! Worked In factories nnd then
got n Job after her father died ns nurse
girl. Kept Ntralghter'n a string all tho
time. I got foolish over that kid my
self. I'd Just about made up my mind
to marry her when Hhn was ennght
with the goods and ,.nt to stir. Never
could see why Mlie did It. It wa'u't like
her to steal. I tried 0 llnd her when
she come out, but there wn'n't nolhlii'
doln'. And 1 was di,llv OVOr her. (ice!"
he concluded sheepishly. "Can you see
Ul: belli' dl""y over a "skirt?"
Alidlew then said;
"And, If you should bo caught, for n
furl her defense you might perhaps say
th it robbery was not your Intent, but
Unit Instead you were here for a meet-In;-
wllh the lady-iit h,r request."
mice again Creegnn gaiKit sheer
inianenient. Then, swiftly, the light of
understanding twinkled In his Uttla
eyes.
"I'm wise, 'bo I'm wise!" he chuck
led, with n villainous smirk. "Now,
whero do they keep the sparklers?"
Forthwith Andrew entered into a de
tailed explanation concerning the plan
of the house, with particular reference
to the library, In an alcove of which
the safo was set
"And now," ho concluded, "as to the
time tonight w hen you should start op
erations, I have only to niuko a sug
gestion. This room of mine, as you
perceive, Is situated In the cupola of
the house, with windows ou euch side,
In its way it's a sort of beacon nt
night. The lodgekeeper says that when
I put out my light lie is sure that every
one else in the house is sleeping."
"I got ye, Steve I got ye!" Creegan
declared. Then, In another moment
he spoke with n half shamed eager
ness: "Say, she didn't send for me,
did she?".
"That Is a leading question," was tt.6
answer, with a noncommittal smile.
"I say, rarker: lust tell mv oiuio. im
llko to see her for a miiiutn first
you?" Then as the servunt wlth,i,,
he faocd Andrew eagerly. "Look here "
he urged desperately, "I dou't want to
quit Just yet I've come across for
you. Now I want you to coma across
for mo. Won't you? I want i ,.,,,.
Helen." '
The Master Mind contemplated hi
puppet with n supercilious stare.
lou grow ambitious. Walter. Mr
Walnwright's sister a child!"
"The kid's dippy over me," the
young man contended warmly. "Any-
now, sue s sixteeu. Of conrsin r Un,
kTV ' w
if' '''
"That's leading question."
"I shall put out my 'light tonight prob
ably about 2 o'clock."
"Yes, yes!" Creegan agreed, hastily
"I got all that. Hut nbout her, now
Ho you think there's u chance of her
sklppln' out with me? What?"
"A truo lover should never be dis
couraged," came the cryptic reply. As
he spoke, Andrew opened tho door,
and motioned that his visitor should
leave the room. "Till 2 o'clock," he
said,
A
I.uceue sank down
I! taller ap,....
gresslvely. u Aolrew aj.
-Now, look ,.,,.,
"Icily, "i ,".. ' ...H:wclW4tn
.....e worth.
or two.
Drill I'm n.l..:
111 UU V S hT .i
K light too. lii f'tki
He grinned evilly
Andrew regarded hi. ...
"lib undisguised UN ' w to
"Very well. Wnit." '..
shall comes wo .., .', uen Uar-
coi,;,ul him ,,r'Z'0.allowIo0
CHAPTER X.
Family Affairs."
S Creegan, the thief, went out
of the door opened for hlui
by Parker. Walter sought An
drew and addressed him
Jocularly.
"That guy's my visitor. I'm hep.
What?"
"He usked for you yes," Andrew
conceded. "Ho will call ngaln, later,
to verify certain Information I have
given him."
"Being some more of that stuff that's
nono of my business, eh?"
"Your powers of discernment show n
decided Improvement, Walter," the
Master Mind snld dryly.
"Come Into the library a minute,"
tho thief suggested. "I've got some
thing for you, you know." Then, when
they were alone together In the room,
Wnlter took n shenf of banknotes from
his pocket, and gave them to Andrew.
"There's four hundred more I got
from sister I.uceue. Say, she's sure
easy, Same old story. Told her I had
to have It was In trouble. And you
see they're marked, llko the others.
Walnwrlght Is getting wise, that's
cinch. Did you notice, ho only began
marking the money two weeks ago?
Say, Andrew, what's the Iny, anyhow?
Put mo next."
"It doesn't concern you, Walter," was
the sharp answer.
"Oh, the devil!" the (Mef exclaimed,
n exasperation. "You make nie sick.
Well, anyhow, that makes forty-six
hundred I've got from her, nnd given
to you In the last month,"
"You shall be reimbursed, sir, to
morrow," Andrew promised, gravely.
"Oh, there's no haste," Walter re-
Joined carelessly.
"ltoully, you nro Improving greatly,"
the butler said rotnniendlngly. "Envi
ronment has worked wonders In you.
It's rather n idly that you cannot re
main here to complete your sadly neg.
lected education In tho niceties of
breeding. Y'oit go tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!" Walter repented tho
word with an Inflection of Incieduloug
dismay.
"Yes. You and the mounts hnvo
boon the guests of the Walnwrlght
now for n month. There Is such a
thing ns abusing hospitality."
"But-but where nm I going?"
lierever you please." Andrew
turned curtly toward Ps?ker as the
servant entered the room.
"Mrs. Wiitnwrbilit wishes to see Mr.
udrew."
Wnlter 1'iterposed excitedly:
munwriguc wouui uo Bore on the
game. But I believe tho kid would
slip out to tho parson with me at the
drop of the hat it only Luceue would
pass tho word. Now, 1 want you to
speak on my side to Luceue. Be n
good pal, won't you, Andy?" He elnp
ped Andrew funiillarly on tho shoul
der.
The Muster Mind started back as
one would retreat from some noxious
pollution.
"If you please!" he said. His toDe
was dangerous.
Walter cringed abjectly. "I'm sorry.
I forgot" ho stnmmered.
Without another look toward him the
Master Mind went out of tho room.
Luceue entered.
"You wished to speak to nie?" she In
quired indifferently.
I want to spenk to you about
Ueleu."
"Ii Is absolutely useless, Walter,"
Luceno declared promptly, with weari
ness In her voice. "The Idea Is absurd.
Ueleu Is only a child."
Shes old enough to know what
Blie's doing, anyhow," Wnlter argued.
Luceue shook her bend emphatically.
"That s Just It, she said, resolutely
"She Isu't" She welcomed tho coming
of Mr, and Mrs. Blount, which put an
eud to this intolerable teto-lt-tete.
Mrs. Blount spoke to Luceno with a
half serious playfulness
He's such n naughty boy! Has he
been worrying you, dearie?" Suddenly
her greedy eyes fell on a bracelet that
the young wife was wearing for tho
first time. "Oh, what a lovely brace
let!'' sho exclaimed, and now her tones
were wheedllngly soft and sweet She
placed n hand on the ornament caress
ingly, but the slender, skilled fingers
were busy.
Luceno, however, was in no mood to
bo patient under the Impositions of this
woman. She drew her unu nwny
quickly.
No. you shan't have it," she de
clared spiritedly.
"Why, dearie!" Mrs. Blount cooed
phicatlngly, the heavy lids drooping
low over bor big, slumbrous eyes,
only wanted to"
Luceno was ruthlessly frank.
"No, I tell you. You've taken almost
everything I have nlready."
The husband fairly glared nt his wife.
"You told mo sho guvo 'em to youl,"
he growled bitterly.
"And you did, didn't you, dearie?"
the wife persisted, alarmed.
Hut nny hope of help from the girl
as uu ally was dissipated ou the in
stant "1 did not!" Luceno exclaimed with
a vehemence rare lu her.
Tho cold voice of Andrew sounded
dominant through the roctu:
"Mrs. Blount!"
All turned to face the speaker where
he stood Just within the doorway, hut
the woman ho addressed turned much
nmro slowly than did the others.
Blount, nevertheless, made hold to
speak up manfully In behalf of his
erring spouse.
"Oh, thut'll be all right," he declined,
with an effort toward assurance.
"She'll give them back, of course."
Andrew, however, made no answer.
For that matter, he was no longer giv
ing uttentlou to tho woman or her hus
band. Ho was, Instend, listening to
tho dialogue between Walter nnd Lu
ceno, for tho young nuin had seized
this opportunity to continue his plead
ing with the girl.
"Sny, If you'll do this for toe," he
was urging, "I'll never bother you
ngaln. Come on now! Won't you?"
"No," wns the steadfast nnswer, "1
will not During tho last month you
hnvo made my life mlseralilo by forcing
mo to get money for yon from my hus
band to save you from disgrace, and
Incldentnlly myself. But you inny
threaten me ns much ns you llko you
shan't have Helen. No, no!"
"Why not, I'd ilka to know?" W alter
demanded blusteriugly.
Tho reply wns explicit:
"Because you're not lit."
The contemptuous words caused the
thief's fury to pass nil bounds.
"Oh. I nln't eh?" ho stormed. "Wen,
I'd have you know I'm Just ns lit for
Helen as you are for Walnwrlght. See?
And, If you don't help me, why. mj
flue bulv. I'll .lust"
Anilivw's votco broke off the nan
spoken threat
That will do, Wnlter," ho command
ed. "Luceno Is right"
Tim von on man nroteslid.
"But 1 only want to marry Helen."
"It is impossible," Andrew tetonou.
Walter flared again.
"So. Hint's the iranie. Is It?" ho sneer
mi "u-.ui I iloii'i no tomorrow I" the
thief rrlnd wrathfnllv.
Amlrnw turned blandly toward
Blount.
"Wlmn rnn 0il out. will 5"OU be SO
cood ns to send Tarkcr hero ns your
son will wish to givo some orders
about his packing. Hy tho way." no
added carelessly, "yon nnd Mrs. Blount
also will be lenvlng tomorrow. Have
you by nny chance nu objection to
mnb.i"
"lllilnpllnn? Vol" BlOUHt Wild Vlg-
orousiv. "Lord, we'll be tickled to
itnnlh to rrrt hnmp.
Blount led her from tho room. But
lmfr It,., nntr Inlil nllltO reached tnO
door tho Master Mind called again to
the westerner
"Aw, let him ,? , : Pwe."
ed valiantly. "v..;:, "cr aiis.
WUeredoM,,egetoS
" Aimrew replied In ,
'Mr. Marshall i. '. T. hl'P.
'Ink-rton Bervii-e,- uelect-ta th,
alter was unable to control..,
""" Alette fell (nTl!J
trembled. Andrew "V t
"P. nnd as ho
Wing man he added lu uls b
servient manner: ub"
Tardou me, sir. , i, ... . .
- it uiv ntBk
".uncss, an, you pertap, ,
nervous, Sr?" Again, he rl,'.,T
tone and ni,nt.-n "
Mind, turning
"S the M,ut
l"""iu me
1 btlikU;,
-.- ii. sra
,. , . '"uu inn
Ihlef with q.-ww..!
;! -Id, .Waller.' I slioL'
'Diamond Wil'"- wi
The thief's hand cnuzit. m m. ...
mentor's arm in agonized IimhI.
CO, UO, AI1UIPW " ho e,t,l 1
11TIII 1 v 1
in uo any thing you S11y.
u may m too late."
Walter's face wns white jiltt ,,
"Don't give me UPi Andrew," be her.
Bed. "On, for God's sake don't jriT.
mo up! Lu-.onel" he called in desi,
ut.H nun inoveu.
"Let him go, Andrew."
ed. "1 dou't want nnr Irnnku
own sake.
TI:o Master Mind made no direct
swer to her pica. Instead, be turned
nnd spoke to rurker, who appeared In
tho doorway, following (be message
ue ii. ei i-eceiveu rrom mount.
"I think It was Mr. Wnlter wbt
wanted you, Parker," Andrew m In
nn expressionless voice.
Waller assented with feverish hut
"Yes, rarker. I'm going away lo
tho morning early, I want ycu to kelp
mo pack,"
Luceno. left alone with AnJrew;
gazed at him with miserable ejei
"Oh, those dreadful pcopk1" the
cried distractedly, "I can't under
stand how you"- She checked b
outburst with an effort oul of respect
for tho man sho esleerard so highly,
Andrew wulkcd to ber tad stood
looking down commlserniliisly al the
delicate face, In wlich ust bow the
bluo eyes shone I Utile more dlmlf
than was thel wont He roprWted
profoundly that the necewWw ot Ml
vengennco must thus Involve In svite.
Ing the girl whom lie hud com to
cherish very fondly-more fomUy tbu
nnv other liVUlK tliltll SouiCllM
oven there stirred In the mmi'n hcarti
suspicion that perhaps he was grortii
to lavish on her n love like mat ne m
borne his brother. But
. . . .,. . ,i .ii Bftiiinthlnf
crushed unci; iiieuiuusin ""--
wickedly disloyal to that brown
was deiid-dead at the hands ot sn -
. . .,.,1(0 tlintl!B
eniy who must pny om
It were to wj'hw tuis gin
though It were to destroy ber every
hope of happiness.
I'm sorry yon nave w 7,
more sorry than I can y.
waste a I nought on Walter. He 1 not
worth II." .. . ,,
"It Is all horrible," me gm
ed. "Sometimes l-B',B u
Is nil so false. ,h
Andrew viewed this entfUM "J
alarm. At whatever cost thU W
W
ill i' 1
- Hi
I'm torry,
h it"1""'
r.4
uiiit b
..1 . , rpllltrC
nwm m ' . ., hear of
now, viicii in
close.
cento'
victor)'
'out iniif .1 i't.
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mi
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