Kelly Florence Finch - The Fate of Felix Brand стр 11.

Henrietta bent toward the girl sympathetically. I dont think you need to be so anxious, she said reassuringly, although her own heart misgave her. Im so glad to know about your happiness, she went on, stroking Mildreds clenched hand where it lay upon her desk, and Im sure this will come out all right. He went away very suddenly. Did did you know that he was going?

Mildred nodded and wiped some hysterical tears from her eyes. It was a moment before she could control her voice: Yes. He had promised to come to our house on Sunday evening. But instead he sent me a note the dearest little letter and her hand involuntarily moved to her breast as she paused and smiled. Her listener marveled at the light that played over her countenance for a moment. He said he had been suddenly called out of the city and might be away several days, but would see me again as soon as he could get back, and in the meantime I must not be anxious. But I cant help it, Harry! Im wild with anxiety! Oh, if anything should happen to him I couldnt bear it I couldnt live!

There, there, dear, dont be so alarmed. Calm yourself and Ill tell you all I know. Mildred was hysterically weeping and Henrietta moved to her side and with an arm about her shoulders soothed her and went on:

Sunday morning he motored over to my house to tell me that he might have to be out of the city for a few days and to give me some directions about matters here in case he should have to go. He said he didnt know how long he would be gone but hoped he would be back inside of a week.

Sunday then you saw him after I did. Did he seem well? Was he all right?

Yes, except that he looked anxious and disturbed.

Oh, I knew there was something wrong! Why didnt he come to me and tell me all about it! I would have comforted him! Id have done anything for him Id have gone at once and been married, whatever father might say, if he had wanted me to!

I dont think it could have been anything very serious, dear, nothing more than just a temporary depression of spirits, because well, you know what a merry little piece my sister is and how she jokes and laughs and says nonsensical things until you cant help being cheered up and laughing, too. She seemed to amuse Mr. Brand and he was very kind and took us all for a ride in his auto. And, oh, Mildred, you should have seen how lovely he was with my poor, frail mother! He insisted that she must go, that it would do her good, and he carried her in his arms out to the auto and back, and was as tender and careful with her as a son could have been!

How like him! the girl beamed. He is so good and kind! Harry, there isnt another man like him in this whole world! It would kill me to lose him!

We had a delightful ride and Mr. Brand seemed to enjoy Bellas merry talk. She sat with him, and when we came back and he returned to the city he was looking quite himself again.

Oh! said Mildred, drawing back and looking at Henrietta with narrowing eyes. She was too absorbed in her own intense emotions to perceive the embarrassment which suddenly gripped her companion. Henrietta, wildly groping about in her own mind for something to say which would relieve the momentary strain, chanced upon what her employer had said about Hugh Gordon and her own subsequent suspicions, which had been made sharper by the charges in the morning newspapers.

Mildred, dear! she exclaimed. Has Mr. Brand ever said anything to you about a man called Hugh Gordon?

Hugh Gordon! The girl straightened up, her color rising and her eyes flashing with indignation. Why, hes that dreadful creature who is responsible for all that horrid mess in the papers this morning, isnt he?

The committees report says that he gave them their first information and told them how to get the rest of it.

Horrid creature! I know its all a mess of lies! No, I never heard of him before. Why do you ask? Do you know anything about him? Did Felix ever speak of him to you?

Only once last Sunday, Henrietta hesitated.

What was it? the other demanded. What did he say? Oh, I knew you were keeping something from me! Tell me, Harry!

Truly, dear, it wasnt anything of any consequence. It wasnt about himself, or his business, so I suppose its all right for me to tell you. He only asked me, if any letters should come signed Hugh Gordon, not to read them but to put them aside for him when he should return, because this man was likely to write confidentially about his own affairs. Thats all Mr. Brand ever said to me about him the only time hes ever mentioned the mans name. But I thought maybe it was just my own conjecture, you know that maybe this Gordon is some dissipated relative, some black sheep of his family, whom Mr. Brand is trying to help.

Oh, I see through it all! Its as plain as day! cried Mildred impetuously. This Gordon is a blackmailer who is trying to force money from Felix! I knew all the time there wasnt a word of truth in that disgusting story! Felix has been helping him perhaps hes a cousin, or something, and he has demanded more and more money, and Felix has refused, and now in revenge he has done this! And hes got Felix shut up somewhere to make him give in! Thats why I havent heard from him! Oh, its perfectly plain! The thing to do now is to find this horrible Hugh Gordon and make him tell where Felix is!

The office boy entered to say that some reporters wanted to see Mr. Brands secretary. Henrietta was about to send back the message that as she knew nothing whatever of any consequence it was not worth while for her to see them, when Miss Annister interposed.

No, Harry, let them come in, she said. Perhaps they will know something that we dont.

While the reporters questioned Henrietta they stole many a covert glance at Mildred Annister, who sat beside her, dignified and beautiful, her cheeks glowing and eyes brilliant with excitement, listening with intense interest.

Henrietta soon told them the little that she knew about the matter. Mildred waited until they had asked all the questions they could think of and then, leaning forward in her absorption and gazing intently at one of the group, she said: Now tell us all that you know about this Hugh Gordon. I want to know all you can tell me, because I have a theory about him.

Her intensity and eagerness roused the hope that perhaps here they might find something with which to embellish a story in which, so far, they had uncovered little to add to that of yesterday. But first they must know who this lovely girl was.

You are a relative of Mr. Brand? one of them hazarded.

I am Mildred Annister, Dr. Philip Annisters daughter, and I am Felix Brands promised wife.

The instant ripple of interest among the reporters caused Mildred to shrink back in sudden self-consciousness, her face scarlet.

But please dont put that in the papers, she went on. Its of no interest to anybody but us, and we dont want the engagement announced yet. I told you so you would understand how much right I have to be interested. I am perfectly sure this dreadful creature, Hugh Gordon, is at the bottom of the whole business, that these charges in the papers this morning are nothing but revenge for his failure to blackmail Mr. Brand, and it is just as certain as can be that he has got Mr. Brand imprisoned somewhere, maybe drugged, and the thing for you to do now is to find this Gordon and make him tell where Felix is. Oh, please do! she ended, with a sudden drop in her manner, her voice choking.