Mary Louise Solves a Mystery

perhaps, but as the clock ticks on the ache i

or it had been arranged by "Mamma Tone." She did not consider, in those first weeks, whether she cared for her newly found father or not. Her mother's statement that he was a "goo

drawn, but every night before she retired to her own little room the child would steal in, in the dark, and feel her way to the empty bed and kiss the pillow on which her dear mother's head had rested. Miss Gorham, the governess, was aware of these evening excursions, but offered no objection. Indeed, the woman objected to nothing that did not interfere with her own personal comfort and convenience. Under the eyes of Mrs. J

d would have been glad to befriend her little girl were such services needed. But it was known that Alora's father had now appeared to guard her welfare and there

her and accepted their platitudes in good faith. It was indeed

e came in for a few minutes, in the morning, and sat down and stared at the girl in a way half

nable apparel and to the child's amusement affected the manners of a lady. She talked more with Miss Gorham than with the little girl and was keen to know what arrangements had been made for their future. Miss Gorham adm

in a hired automobile. The two seemed engaged in earnest conversation and neither noticed Alora or her governess.

ed in his hands. Judge Bernsted attended to all the necessary details and, while he did not admire the artist and secretly believe

but Judge Bernsted declared it was not his duty to criticise character but to see that the wishes of his clients were obeyed. In this case doubtless the man's wife knew him more intimately than anyone

He was quiet and unassuming; he made no friends and few acquaintances; he never mentioned himself or his personal history and never referred to his wife except when forced to do so by some of "her meddling friend

were complete. Alora, a sad-faced child with no especial interest in life, kept no track of time and plodded along in her morning-studies and took her

ing and said to the governess

n, sir?" was the

s place by Saturday. Also pack the personal belongings of Mrs. Jones. Put them

tance," gasped the be

-or a porter-or

awakening interest. A change of any

?" she asked, as he

ham wanted to ask, too, but Mr.

ere many big trunks in the storeroom of the hotel belonging to Mrs. Jones, and these she ordered brought up t

lofty air of superiority; "these person

ning Mr. Jones

ing ready?"

Jane," replie

ing was packed, even to the sui

e going?" inquir

ase," said Jason Jones. "I do n

discharge me?" sh

already d

ory? Who will attend to her edu

. I have paid you a week in

ed by the year," asser

a written

contract is

law. Take your tra

tely calm and determined. Instinctively sh

, but had never won the smallest corner of the girl's heart. Although she was not aware of the fact, the woman's constant presence and lac

terse "good-bye" she gave her pupil, the girl's f

rove away from the grand hotel where she had lived in luxury for so long, and where so many indelible me

up at a railway st

ing town, th

d; "I am returni

nse of elation. The old life, in which her adored mother had played so promine

ory was not sure she could be happier elsewhere, but her crushed and dispirited nature responded

the guardian selected by her dead mother, and in obeying his wishes she might find her futu

e most of the time in the smoking compartment, only appearing to take Alora to the diner for her meals. T

hat were neither residences nor business establishments, but hovered between the two. There were several little tin signs nailed beside the entrance and Lory noticed that one of these read: "Jason Jones. Studio. 3rd Floor." It was an old sign, scarcely legible, while others beside i