The evening world. Newspaper, January 14, 1915, Page 17

‘A New Yorker’s Odd Fight to Keep From Winning the Girl of His Heart Ba EARL DERR BIGGERS Rose's arrival and asking for infor- mation about her, Next he sought an mary interview with the Gaiety lady. ik CHAPTER X. Two Birds of P : le assage. \UT—see here!” ried O'Neill. “But me no buts,” said Meare again. “Neary a question, I beg of you, Take our jobs, and if you ink of us at all think of gleaming gj; dls and a speeding train, Once more ‘The door slammed. O'Neill looked ‘at Hows. “Dreams!” he muttered, “or the D. * Ta, What is this, a comic opera or a town? You are managing editor, try.’ I shall be city editor. Is [there @ city to edit? No matter.” Yo,” aaid Howe. “He reached for the greasy pack of cards. “Wo draw for it. Come on. High wins.’ “Jack,” announced Mr. O'Neill. “Deuce,” smiled Howe. “What are your orders, sir?” They looked up suddenly ten min- utes later to find a man standing be- tween them. He was a little man, clad all in white, suit, shoes, stock. His sly old face was a lemo! low, and Lae ag Co gg aia igh 3 “Gone. Vamoosed. You are now 0° the managing editor of ae, merely dropped in. I am Manuel \ Gonsale, owner of the Mall.” lord!” cried O'Neill. “Dent not be disturbed. I me on oe, replaced d Elliott. glad. Let gee You i ike bright you ite Sright enough, it fears Be fm: ae stammered the manag- Dor aes mention It. Here s Madame On Dit’s cotumn for to-morrow. It runs on Hye first page. As for the pod per, suit yourselves.” took € the copy, and glanced trroug 1 “are hee no libel laws down asked. material in that column,” said * fd ite man, his eyes narrowing, only me. You must under- mone < that at once.” Madame Ne em the Madame,” said the owner ae se ve ity. py from O'Neill's ‘tad git nd pide rien it into the othér had he disay ppeared the door door was opened furiously S venting we man Keg) inside, Mr. keen eye surveyed Meare—Billott?” he cried. ‘re not the Seance, are you?” O'Neill ba interest. 4 m,) funny,” roared ‘r footing for the editor Sseaets fe ended.” se See itr Te got are, sory for wis wi ay arms,” ‘orted O'Neill. Lord Harrowby has been V geo room glided Manuel recognizing Hi, Mn ‘and er poured into his ear th: 's disappearance. Mr, Gon- hands. i we 4 ce z Thank myself ‘will writs scornful giance at the two ore Mr. Trimmer went out, and Gonzale sat down S his desk, paper must go to pre: at a diamond-studded watch—“iri an bogs Only four . Please vee te the make-up. My SirCule Hoe TAR per Hl aeeies Boe je distri the door he paused. may be low. Seventy-five dollars a week for the managing editor. Fifty for the city editor. Allow me—ten dollars each in ‘advance. Tf you need ore pray remind me.” Ente eee hands he put crinkling And then, gliding still like the he looked, he went out into the it. Sister,” cried O'Neill weak: ies are abroad to-night. "An hour later they sent the paper and « the grill room of Hotel ‘Aimeda, As they came ind pily away from that pleasant spot Ot Weill spied a fruit stand. and made a few purchases. over to She pings be aie ae over feed that alligator. CHAPTER XI. Tears From the Gaiety. IDAY morning found Mr. Minot ready for whatever O'Neill re- t An hour later in a p! chi Gabrielle Rose. “You come from Lord Pg ohne ty = bid emile that LJ decora! Mm million t ge tony oe “T have come to ask that you Lord Harrowby some leniency.’ The chi ne~bive hardened. a have © come on 8 nencnee ane or rand “Mrerer— Minot. show Harrowby any conslacration Did he show me any—when he broke his word to me and made me the laughing stock of the town?" iss Rose,” he pleaded, “grant us one favor. Do not make public your qult against Harrowby until I have geen you again—say, at four o'clock ‘this afternoon.” sno looked more cloway st atinot ana 6 100 at found he was good to look an ree to a beauty of the theatre he w: a seemniistiog —, She rose ed to @ plano in one gorner the room. Minot followed. hee Gi “When Harrowby first met s 2" ff nid, er fingers on th the ke; ‘Just a ie.” ph ret dear song—en, Mr, Minot, { was happy In another minute she began to eing—softly—a be a ttle love @ong, and in spite of himself Minot felt his heart beat faster. She teaned forward and sang at Minot as she had sung at Harrowby five years Nias > =p ie @ Uthe—tf you You cold, feel your heart go pite-pes inside”—— Really, she had a big with hert “Dear, it’s easy tf you Cross your heart and Re Don't you love me just a ‘That baby stare in all its pathos, {ta appealing helpl ed full on Minot, He. of his chair, saw. Had she made ving ‘captive? Be it seemed. She felt very kindly toward the world. “Promise.” Minot leaned over. His voice was hoarse. “You'll meet me here at four. oy aside from my i—quite asi everything— T want to see you atew ig “Do you really?” She continued to hum beneath her breath. “Very well he: “An t four.” '——— he hesitated, fearin; ta break the spell. “In the mean t! “In the mean time eo said, “Th think only of—4 o'clock.’ Minot was at sea as to what he was going to do at 4 o'clock. Of what good was the delay if he could not make use of it? And at the moment he hadn't the slightest notion of what ould do to prepare himself for the noon interview. for Jephson's cat that would ive him an idea. Lunch time came—two o'clock. At half past two, out of London, Jephson spoke. Said his cable: “Know nothing of G. R. except that she’s been married frequently. Do best you can.” At a quarter to 4 Aine rene Jeph- son's cablegram again. As he plan ridiculous in its ineffectivenses occurred to him. And eince no other came in the interval before 4, walked into Miss Rose's presence di termined to try out hie weak lit Nila Rose," he sald sharply, ‘I brs] discovered that hate cannot sue a oe for con- tract to marry you. Ma “Why—why not?” she stammered. Laer gre sraile-thougl ip We a Cy umphant le—though it was a s! in the dark. already had a hu those letters were writ Rose had turned livid with 1s twitched, her china- 10 fire. If only her been by her side the! And #o she crit ‘The little brute’s to de ttle—nows" blu lawyer Yad ‘wasn't. "He's told! Minot felt his knees A shot in the dark—had it mee the target after all? “If you refer to your homens." eald pped. “No, of course not—not since the divorce,” Minot answered. “But hi ry was when these letters rere written,” began to Exe Gaiety lady's chin “And he promised me, on his wo. of honor, that he wouldn't oem. t suppose ig found Ly jonor could one sree to ina Persian carpet dealer’ reian carpet dealer? Into Mi- Bot’s mind foated a uu must remember,” he ven- ued “that ay ‘also a “Yes,” the woman, “that’s what I thought when L married him. Hes the Prince of Liars—that's as far as his royal blood goes.” Nervously Minot rose from his chair and stood looking down at her. He fee to answer, but his voice seemed It was at this ini pant grt’ Mr. Minot, looking past the beaut!- of that parlor, a She disapeared on Minot rose and went ent on the avenue. ‘There @ newsboy gave him a hand- bill. He read: WHO HAS KIDNAPPED THE REAL LORD HARROWBY? AT THE OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT Mr. Henry Trimmer Will Appear » Place of His Unfortunate Friend, Lord Harrowby, and Will Make a Few WARM AND SIZZLING REMARKS. NO ADVANCE IN PRICES. Mr, Minot tossed the bill into the strect. Into his eyes came the at ~ like semblance of a emile. After all, famous weddigg had CHAPTER Xll. Exit a Lady, Laughingly. a cigar and descended into the hotel gardens fer & stroll. Ate distant corner {fom ot the meer the ra want aia FTER dinner Minot lighted ‘ which tea was served of an afternoon. Into this Minot strolied, to finish bis cigar and ponder the day’s develop- ments in the drama he was playing. As he drew a comfortable chair trom moonlight into shadow he heard a'lit- rae ee tle gasp at his elbow, and turning, be- held a beautiful vision. Geferielle Rose was made for the epotlight, and that being absent, Peete served a: iypeed Under its ft merciful rays eh revealed the beauty ‘Thousands of plays knew and worshipped. Dick Minot gazed at her in awe. He was surprised that she held out her hand to him, a sinile of the utmost friendliness ‘on he: face: He low fortunate,” she sald, as ‘though speakin, 4 cue for a lovely wong. “I ata: p—-¥ this old Spanish a very blood—and ‘only t ‘th tack- ing in the picture la—a man. And then, you oe “ae of servi bee tossing away his p Meat sale uted. ePhen you Sie at follow? Unro- the it ap I was meeting is splen- My train goes in an hour—and 1 wanted so very much to see you in.” you pte ne into @ chair. to see you—to put your conscience at 4 all turned Sut happily, after ae “What do you mean?” asked Maing new apprehensions rising in is min vie I could, only tell you.” She tt was laughing at him now—an experi- did “But my is ‘aia a ‘ “That's what makes have n eaid Minot, rising. ‘But I perceive clearly that it now devolves 0 on little Dicky Minot to up and don bis fighting armor once more.” He went down into the lobby and tore sore Paddock away from the el Omaha beauty. “Sach ; Pinot sa, ‘Tm golng to confide in yor go! to tell you why I am in San Marco. of “Unbare your secrets," Paddock answere Crossing the qu pees » Minot ex- plained to hi rien the matter of the insur policy written by t! romantic Jephson ia Ni York, le told of how he had come South with the promise to his employer that Miss Cynthia Meyrick would change her mind only over his dead body. In- credulous exclamations broke the flippant Paddock as he listened. “Knowing your love -< tumor,’ Minot said, hasten add th crowning touch. The moment Teaw Cynthia Meyrick I realized that if I couldn't marry her myself life would be an prieterenting fe ger ares after, Every time I've since I’ been surer of it. What's the answer, Jack?” “Children, eee the Christian martyr! If it was me I'd chuck the job and elope with—oh, no, you couldn't do that, of course. It would be a low trick, You are in @ hole, aren't you?" “Five Ly Hy fathoms deep. There’ nothing to do but see the w . And you're going to me. Just ni Mr. Manuel Gonzale has a packet of love letters written by Harrowby in his salad days, which the he proposes te print on the merrow Dali Well, your victory was not sdeotate, Let that thought console you.’ ‘You are teo kind,” owered. "And Gan Minet an- rou are glad I am net leav- ‘Oh, an vid with pl ‘ea pee Pleasure.” “Re a is eweet of you. I am go sorry mt part. The moonlight, the pal the distant music—eli so romantic, But—we unkind—when she isughed outright pow—a ail’ 44 joyous laugh. And, refusing baffled Minot’ to the hotel, path. back Pinto bis pals, lighted 5 seer, Ce ie tw 1] je y, laughing merri 8 a was the meaning of that? What new Complication must he meet and get For bis anawer, he had onl: turn to the hotel. On t os be was met by Lord Harrowby’e man, agitated, puming. ‘Been looking all about for you, " he announced, ‘Is lordship 19 bee you at once—most h'im- “More trouble, Mini was Lord Harrowby's sigomy Greeting. “sit down, old nasty visitor.’ “Sorry to hear it.” tle Brown toner, Lm e 7h proprietor o! 1 ld boy, ane eradded I 40 mean. bunch etary, to Mr, I How the thought You offer to take ber back 1 @ fled away from him Hi uniees he is id not to to-night. and I are four ‘way to take ‘em away tom atm.” oan atts ar, Eve. been hearin ings abeu nzale mm; Gg to ser" ? ig groped bp ty in a dark hall- F and opened the ay oe eh 26574 wat behind « before him, for the morrow’a ue. Mr. hammered at a Serycier. Bok of the newspaper men Idoked up at the “' intrusion. “wi you? “What? Can it be? Is my name not @ household word in San Marco? what you want “Very humorous,” said Minot. “But a wants are far different. I won't t y he adored—at the mo- going to print tham in to-morrow's Mail unless my friend is easy enougb to pay you ten thou- sand dollars, He isn't going to pay you anything, Wi come for those lettere—and we'll them or run you and your boss out of town in twenty- four hours—you raw little blackmail- bad @ very er newspaper business and nobody ever called me a black- mailer and got away with it. I'm in & generous mood. T'l! give you one chance to take that back”—— “Nonsense. It happens to true"-——— put In Paddock, "m talking to your friend ere ‘ed O'Neill's breath came fi ate be ff tend to you, you lily of the field. Ina appears winuio You--you |) rare you going back?’ te self to meet the attac! man at the typewriter le: welzed O'Neil rom hag = o vee you ‘know this felow fan’t “right?” “Unmooountably the warlike one col- Cod ages ine into @ chair. know he's right,” groaned Howe, a me rave, Why didn’t It yeu jet_ me would have been Of course he’s right. I had a bunch this was a blackmailing sheet from the moment my hot fingers c! Gonzale’a money. But #o long as no- body told us, we were all right.” He glared onelly Minot, “You—you killjoy,” he cried. “You skeleton at the feast. You've put us in @ lovely fix.” “Weil, I'm sorry,” said Mino’ 1 don’ t understand these heroic; “It's all up now, Harry,” moaned O'Neill. “The free trial is over and we've got to send the mattress back to the factory. Here in this hollow lotus land, ever to live and lie re- clined—I was putting welcome on the mat for a fate like that. Back to the read for um That human fish over in the Chronicle office was a prophet —You look unlucky—maybe they'll e you jobs on the Mail.’ Remem- punch him? “but Howe sald. He ind Paddock. “Of course you don’t understand, You wee, we're strangers here. Drifted in last night broke and hungry, looking for jobs. We got them—under rathei unusual circumstances. Things looked suspicious—the proprietor parted with money without screaming for help. But—when you're down and out, you know’— “I understand,” said Minot, smiling. “Ana I'm sorry I called you what [ did. 1 logize. And I hate to be a—er—a killjoy. But a matter of redding fact, your employer is a blackmaller, and it's best you should know it.” “Yes,” put in Paddock. “Do you gentlemen happen to have heard where the editor of Mr. Gonzale's late now: » published in Havana, is now?” “We do not.” aaid O'Neill, “but He's in prison, doing ten * years for blackmail. I understand that Mr, Gonzale prefera to involve his editors, rather than himself.” O'Neill came over and held out his band to Minot. “Shake, son,” he said. “Thank God didn't waste my strength on you. will be in here in @ min- ute"—— anes those letters?” said Minot. “They were written to a Gaiety actr®&s by a man who fa in San Marco for hia wedding t Tuesday—Lord Harrowby.” His ludship aga i re- Howe in- , marked, “Say, I always thought the ‘we owe youl nething for putting us wise, We've stood for a good deal, but never for blackmailing, As @ matter of fai "t brot the letters minute, When he comes—tako the lettera from him. [ shan't interfere. How about you, Bob?” “I'll interfere,” said O'Neill, “and I'll interfere strong—if I think you fellows ain't leaving enough of Uttle Manuel for me to caress—" The door opened, and the, Ratio culate proprietor of t came noiselessly into the room. file eyes narrowed when they fell on the strangers there. “Are you Manuel Gonzale?” Minot al The erywhire, ‘ Proprietor of the Mall?" “Yeu. “Tho gentleman who visited Lord Harrowby an hour back?’ “Man! Man! — You're wasting * O'Neill cried. amiled Minot, “Un- ure you.” He seized Spaniard augdenly by the little eyes dart- ed some satisfaction. | “We're waiting,” “Waiting for our turn. your promise, son, Baous of him left for me.” Minot and his captive alld forth across the floor. others watched, O'Neill In bi jame On Dit you're waltzing wi! 1 for the next dance, eres & zane wel fro e Spant and in it wae a packet of perfumed letture, tled with a cute blue ribbon. He released his victim. siare. Thief!” he cried. auniled Minot. “Jack, ut concludes our busi- Mail.” He turned to Howe and O'Neill. “You boys look me up at the De ja Pax. I want to wish you bon voyage when you atart north. For the presont—goodby.” And he and Paddock departed, “You're a fine pair,” snarled Gon- zale, when the door had closed. “, fine pair to take my salary mon stand by and see me ‘You're not strangled yet O'Neill. He cam employer, like “Did you get my emphasis on the paled beneath te lemon got behind a deal “Now, boys,” he ree “I didn't mean anything. I'jl be frank with you-I have been a little indiscreet here. But that's all over now. It would be dangerous to try any more —-er—deals at present. Ang I want you to til f cam get “Save your breat said O'Neill through his teeth. “Your work has been excellent—ex- ent,” went on Gonzale Bestily “1 feel | am not paying you enow pier on with me until your week I will give you a hundred each ‘when you go—al ve you my word I'll attempt nothing dangerous while you are here.” He retreated farther from O'Neill. “Wait a minute, Bob,” said Ho “No blackmailing stunts while we 8 shouldn't call them stunts?” the militant O'Neul. the matter with you? We ought to thrash him—now--and"-——~ “Go back on the road?” Howe in- quired. “A hundred dollars each, Bob, It means New York in a parlor car.” “Then you will stay?" cried Gon- ¢ “Yea—we' said Howe firmly. “See here” — Pleaded O'Neill. “Oh, e? This dolce far niente y only on the terms you name,” stipulated Howe. “It is agreed,” said Gonzale, amil- ing wanly. “The loss of those letters cost me a thousand dollars—and you stood by. However, let us forgive and forget. Here--Mme. On Dit's copy for to-morrow. Timid] hd held out a roll of paper toward O'N O'Neill snatched ing to edit it from now on, Tor"instance, there's a comma T don't like, And I'm going to keep an eye on you, my hearty. “As you wish,” maid Gonzale hum- bly. “If am going out for a mo- ment." ‘The door closed noiselvssly behind him Howe and O'Neill stood looking at each other, “Well--you had O'Neill, shamefacedly. to be the mas f wee “But I'm your way,” sald “1 don't seem It wanes Bs be i of tl "ONeill pondered. “pat a Sy <i fellow, % ps unch, oe it you eee belteve Howe. A coat moment Biase, eared othe’ Harrowby euite, He =< de eal dias el let- “There they are!” he cried, ‘ ite of etairs, th the lobby, and out Into the ao " “Where to?” panted Paddock. * Minot eried. Aw they passed the opera house they eaw a crowd forming and heard the buss of many volces. CHAPTER Xiil. “And On the Ships at Sea.” M two young men Ii on the water-front who had ped into it, Pad- R. PADDOCK knew of a man ' Mock atarted the engine, and they dei sipped with reassuring speed over t dark waters toward the lights of t! Lileth. ‘The accommodation ladder of the yacht wi wn, and leaving @ m¢ ber of the crew to make fast ¢ the deck. Mr. Marti the black cavens wept.a sheot 0 jashed ing rain, frail tossing boat with cruel bacured the feunct, Minot and Paddock climbed © jed!; " gested Mino! member im Mr. Wall drawied, “What juggest? Shall we Grown iar & ex to lke George mlshty lantern in bow. eee o ey emiled broadly. “Not bad for an amateur kidnapper,” ‘he sald, “Will 1 turn George over to your, ‘Will a duck swim? A good idea.” “Hurry!” oried Minot, “Look!” inted to the largest of San’ ‘he moon was lost » but the electric cabin. “Lord Harrowby!” he cried. turned to Minot and Paddock. call him cy ims to cheer him In cap- it he explained. The tall weary Englishman strode get 1) in deck, “Lord Harrowby,” sa i, “these two itlemen have pies te take you for a boat ride. Will you be rived enough to step into launch ? root old George pulled himaelf to- wre ya" Pa | I Ye, he “aid. “T take it i 1, gentlemen, a, the ‘rato, erasp his hand when ‘he boards the boat will be the chap who now addresses you,” George in revolt. Then Minot t1 and per. ‘& rowboat putting off from on the, “shoulders of th the title, Paddock and lowed. it re hi pi n tugging at bis coat. odds were three to one against felt a ter- ot tinres the They stood gasing doubtfully at aE urned faithful engine, and, Mr, sean the canvas cover of the Hoty A yie in, Roe oti no rod i Boeri “All replied Paddock fumbled about that doa! ‘at last, nt, and all day, to-morrow Primamer, “ie “There isnit any such boat!” dares » Martin Wi “Tell all. it to the marines,” remarked lighting @ fresh cigar. 4 imme: Just es woll that the the heat conld wet ane the plore, tgoked meet. out at the rain, and Mleven-thirty came. And hat Grissle y eee Ti ly, the yet bad the ace and in fifteen s° fin his fhm, and at wal. Paddock's of three out a the only way I could get friend Harrowby, and finally he was craaeea Ne and pushed into the launc! Paddock started th odd boat load drew away from the Lileth. ‘They had gone about ten feet when poor old George #1 \d out from un- der Minot and Jes to his feet. “Hi — Trimm: me — it's George,” he thundered in ingly Minot put his hand over ‘st ips, and they locked in con- The smal! launch danced wild- raters. And fortunately for Minot’ lans the moon atill hid behind the clouds. With a stretch of Tarragon’ tation between them and ict = r, Pedeass mapoet the engine Cy ae paddock lighted a Clsarettn utilizing the same match to consult his watch. ‘en o'clocl aid, “Can't say e follieat | itis party I was * replied Minot chi ‘It oe take Trimmer sition isn't on board, slip back and look Yor the ‘The “proposition” in question eat up and straightened his collar, “The pater and T spli he said, ver the matter of my going to O ford. The old boy knew best, 1 wi now I'd gone, hen | might have to he deste chaps what | think Ci ‘Trimmer was to set out ork.” howl, and just before way Mr, Trimmer ag party into their rowboat and Mare splashed a nding North tor some time, mand new I've started, 1 plendid you'll keep on cried Minot, %, Mr, George seemed in He slapped Minot ea