A life For Sale
BY SYDNEY HORLER C
"My lather is a highly re
spected Cicil Servant. He oc
cupies an important position
at the treasury. Your sug
gestion that he is dishonest
Is ludicrously absurd."
“Very well. 1 will not argue.
I wijl simply say that 1 have
proof — convincing and over
whelming proof — that your
father has been helping him
aelf to state funcL for a num
ber of years. A word of this
In the proper quarter-”
The girl shivered.
Site felt the charge to be
grotesquely false, and yet —
who was this man, and how
did lie get such information?
The Colossus answered as
though he could read her
thoughts.
“No doubt you will wonder
how I, a stranger to you—
and, yes, to your father; I
do not mind admitting that—
am able to make such a pos
itive statement. I have not
time to explain further now
than to say I am seeker of
*ecrets. The secret of your
father’s dishonesty has been
brought to me-”
i “The man who told you is
a liar." But even as she said
the words a lump came into
her throat. Was it possible
that her father, from whom,
through no fault of her own,
she had been estranged since
her mother’s death two years
before, had become reckless
through that secret falling
of his? But, no; she couldn’t
realize this: it was too hor
rible.
“The man Who brought me
this Information is absolutely
reliable," was the unequivo
cal answer. “But I will not
have any more of my time
wasted," he went on. in a
quick change of tone; “you
have been brought here to
obey a command-"
“I am not accustomed to
obey commands from strang
ers. Once again let me warn
you most seriously that unless
I am allowed to leave this
house immediately the po
lice-”
A hand shot out. It seized
her wrist.
“Sit downl” The Colossus
roared the words. Feeling all
her strength suddenly leave
her, Margery was forced to
comply.
“I will tell you briefly what
I wish to do," said the man.
Apparently he had ignored
her threat. “Being the pri
vate secretary of Lord Bel
shaven, you are, of course,
In his confidence. Isn’t that
•o?”
She made no reply. Light
was beginning to illumine
her former darkness.
“Being in his confidence,”
went on the voice “you will
naturally know where Lord
Belshaven’s private papers
are kept. It is certain of
those private papers that I
want.
She laughed scornruuy.
“And do you think for a
moment that you are going to
obtain any of Lord Belshav
cn’s private papers through
me?”
The Colossus smiled ironi
cally.
“I certainly do. In fact, I
•m sure of it. That is why
I had you brought to me here
to-night.”
She sprang to her feet
again.
“Who are you?” she de
manded.
Again that ironical smile.
“I have already told you. I
am a seeker of secrets. That
must suffice, I am afraid.”
“You will not obtain any
secrets through me. I abso
lutely refuse."
"We shall see. There will
be a time-limit. If at the end
of that time you are still
TEXANS SEEK
> SEA TREASURE
Wilmington. Del. — (UP) — A
prosaic inler-departmental corre
pondence of the United States de
partment of domestic and foreign
commerce has packed within It ro
mance galore.
John J. Ferrell, head of the Dele
ware office of the department, re
ceived a query from Houston, Tex.,
c
obstinate, the necessary proof
of your father's guilt will be
passed to Scotland Yard,
where, I assure you. it will
receive the most earnest and
careful attention."
“You would be afraid to go
to Scotland Yard, even If
your information was true,
which, of course, it is not.
For you are a criminal," she
said boldly.
“And naturally, while you
are making up your mind you
will remain here,” said the
Colossus finally, us if he had
not heard her words. He
walked to the door, unlocked
it, stepped outside, and then
slammed it again.
Fvr a few moments Mar
gery remained motionless,
staring at the locked door.
Then, realizing at last her
hopeless position, she clenched
her hands and turned away
towards the window. But es
cape through that, barred as
it was, was as impossible as
by the locked door.
Then a thought came to
her. That man to whom she
had made that appeal for
helo through the telephone.
He must have heard her.
Would he respond?
It was a faint hope, yet it
was the only one she had.
CHAPTER IV
“You have offered to sell
your life: I’m inclined to buy
: It."
The words, beating upon
Martin Creighton’s brain,
made him want to laugh.
There was such a ridiculously
bizarre quality about them.
It seemed almost inconceiv
able that they could have
been soberly uttered.
Up till now he had not re
alized the position In which
he had placed himself. His
extraordinary action had
prompted by a sardonic mood
and in a fit of rebellion
against life. The only thing
he had left was his life. Well,
he would sell that if he could
find a buyer!
Now, as he looked at the
man who had uttered the
above arresting words, he felt
his body tingling. This amaz
ing scene was r*al: this man
actually was offering to buy
him, body and soul!
“Should you wish to go back
upon your word. Mr. Creigh
ton, of course—”
“I have no such wish.” The
contempt with which the
words of the colossus had been
edged to taunt him to quick
and reckless reply.
“Very well. Now you will
please listen to me: I will give
you the sum you name—
*5,000. In return, you shall
yourself absolutely and com
pletely at my bidding for the
period of at least twelve
months. During that time you
must obey unquestloningly any
wish I may express. If I send
you into danger—and I may
—you will fulfil that particu
lar duty to the best of your
ability. In other words, you
will regard me as your em
ployer—but, remember, I
shall be one to whom you
cannot give notice! I admit
tha tthe agreement which I
shall presently get you to sign
would probably not be valid
in a court of law, but there
are other ways of enforcing
the bargain. Naturally, I am
•not a fool.”
Creighton did some rapid
reflecting. He was about to
plunge into very deep waters
—his native common sense,
as well as his knowledge of
the world, told him that—and
the probability also was that
in doing so he would place
himself outside the law. That
was what the man had
hinted; what else could his
words about there being
regarding a legend of millions of
dollars in gold, silver and diamonds
sunk in the ocean off Cape Henlop
en, Lewes, Del. While the query
does not say so, it is intimated a
group of Houston gold hunters are
planning a search for the pirate
gold.
Parrel has learned from the
archives that In 1798, the brig,
DeBraak, a Dutch ship converted
into an English sloop-of-war, was
heading up from the Spanish
Main with a prize loot. The loot
Included gold, silver uul diamonds
other ‘ways or enforcing the
bargain have meant?
There was still time for
him to draw back from this
fantastic arrangement. He
had not yet committed him
self definitely to anything.
“You are still weighing the
chances, Mr Creighton?”
This time it was the wo
man who spoke. Her curved,
voluptuous lips were parted
in a mocking smile; she blew
a cloud of smoke in Creigh
ton’s direction. Plainly her
eyes said: “£5.000, and the
pleasure of knowing me: isn’t
it worth a little risk?”
“I am not concerned with
the chances,” he replied; “I
am prepared to take what
ever may come.”
“Well said," the woman re
plied. with a short laugh;
“then, w-hy are yau hesitat
ing? Believe me, my uncle is
a most generous man to those
who work for him.”
“Exactly what work would
you expect me to do?”
Creighton asked, turning to
! the man.
The Colossus boomed:
“Are you the buyer, Mr.
Creighton? I am afraid I am
not agreeable to answering
too many questions at the
moment. You either accept
my terms — which, as my
niece hsa pointed out, are
somewhat generous—or you
you don’t. If you do not, then
you will be blindfolded again
1 and taken back to the Cafe
Rimini or wherever else you
may choose. It is for you to
say.” He turned away, as
though he were rapidly los
ing interest in an unsatisfac
tory subject.
This was a challenge to
Creighton’s manhood, and he
accepted it. Having gone so
far, his self respect would not
allow him to draw back.
What was more, he realized
| that if he left the house—
which he would never be able
to find again—he would lose
trace inevitably of the girl
who had made that mysteri
ous and startling appeal to
him for help. He could not
utterly fail her; he had al
ready promised himself that
much.
“I have no further ques
tions to ask or objections to
raise,” he said; ‘I realize my
position perfectly. It is a case
of Hobson’s choice—and I ac
cept.”
The manner of his future
employer changed.
“I am glad you have seen
reason,” he said, in a more
friendly tone than he had yet
used; ‘‘now, for the present,
I shall want you to stay in
this house. You need not be
afraid that anything will
happen to you—on the con
trary, everything will be done
to make you feel comfortable.
I have work to do myself, but
but my niece, Xavia, will be
pleased to entertain you.” He
turned abruptly, and walked
out of the room.
‘‘Do you play billiards, are
you interested in wireless, or
would you prefer to talk?”
The situation made him
feel inclined to laugh, but he
controlled himself with an
effort.
“A game of billiards ap
peals to me—it is so long
since I played,” he added
quickly. He would have liked
to ask his companion a heap
of questions, but he guessed
it would be so much waste
of time: not one of them
would be answered to his
satisfaction. Until he had
been approved, no confidence
would be reposed in him—he
could scarcely expect it to be
otherwise. The Colossus was
no fool, as he had himself
explained.
“Now that we are com
rades, we must be good
friends, yes?”
The woman, whose physical
allure was so potent, smiled
up into his face.
“Certainly,” he replied.
Mere politeness made him
answer, but, in spite of him
self, his voice broke a little.
He could not fathom what
this woman’s game might be,
and in tow was the Spanish gal
leon, La Platte, from which the
treasure had been taken.
As the ship was putting into
Lewes for supplies, a “sudden
slew of wind laid her on her beam
ends, she immediately filled and
went dowr. with part of the crew.
The earliest attempt to salvage
the treasure was made in 1305 by
Gilbert McCracken, a Delaware
river pilot, who said the spot was
a mile from the Lewes Breakwater.
Another and more systematic effort
•u made in 1387 bv the Interna
but she seemed determined
to be pleasant. He guessed
that being pleasant to men
was an art which she prac
ticed assidiously; but all the
same, the spell of her made
him bite his lip. It would be
so easy to make a fool of
himself in that direction.
Xavia—he did not ask her
other name, and she did not
supply the addition—handled
a cue with wonderful skill for
a woman. The billiards-room
was splendidly appointed,
and as he watched his com
panion compiling an admir
able bread of forty-five
Creighton found himself
marveling more and more.
What was the rest of the
night to bring forth?
“I congratulate you,” he
said when, by missing a dif
ficult run-through cannon,
the break came to an end.
There was invitation on her
red lips as she smiled her
thanks.
“Now that you have de
cided, there is no reason why
you and I should not play
more games of billiards,” she
replied.
Then a servant came to
announce that supper was
served.
Creighton heard the clock
on the mantelpiece chime
again. That must be half-past
one. He turned once more in
the bed.
That evening from 0:30 on
ward, had been so phantas
magoric that his brain re
fused to be pacified. Sleep
simply would not come: he
was forced to go over and
over in his mind the aston
ishing events of the day.
There were so many ques
tions to be answered. The
first, of course, was: Was the
girl who had appealed to
him over the telephone stay
ing in that house? Who was
she, and why was she being
i 11 - t reated or detained
against her will? What did
the Colossus intend to do
with her?
Lying there in the deep
silence of the night, Creigh
ton clenched his fists as the
words of anguish which this
girl had uttered returned to
him. She had been in dire
peril: there was the agoniz
ing ring of it in her voice. A
cultured voice, the words
must have been literally
wrung from her.
From the unknown girl,
whom he swore to meet as
soon as possible, his mind
went to the remarkable man
who had bought his life. How
ever outrageous the phrase
sounded, is was practically
literally true: the Colossus
had said in so many words
that he would have the power
of life and death over him,
and that he intended to use
it. Who was this man with
the wonderful frame and the
magnetic personality? What
was his name, and what was
the work he did? Something
sinister, he felt convinced.
Unless he were mistaken, he
had allied himself to a
dangerous if subtle criminal;
perhaps a very king of the
underworld. Yes, that must
be it That was why, no doubt.
Luigo, the head waiter at
Rimini’s, had given him that
warning as he left the restau
rant. Luigo knew everyone;
he would have the faculty of
singling out the crooks from
the honest men among his
patrons.
Martin felt his heart take
on a quicker beat; whatever
the future had in prospect
for him, it certainly did not
promise to be dull. Before he
had heard that mystery-girl
appeal for help over the
phone that evening he had
been desperate enough to
turn crook himself. New—
He made another turn in the
wide, comfortable bed, and,
in doing so, he noticed the
door slowly opening.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
ional Submarine company ol Phil
adelphia.
•-— ♦» -
IN SPITE OF THE DEPRESSION.
A recent ad—“We’ve glasses which
Almost defy detection.
They’re tinted pink and so. you see.
Blend in with your complexion.”
Mere ma n may keep his old time
“Specks,”
But with each year that passes,
More women folk will view the
world
Through those "rose tinted glass
es.”
—Sam Page
I Glorifying
..Yourself
_ By Alicia Hart
THERE’S ALWAYS ELBOW
ROOM FOR BEAUTY
Elbowing your way to beauty
vghas nothing to do with subw'ay
jams, or the manner in which you
reach the bargain tables at a sale.
It refers merely to the beauty
of an elbow as a feature of your
arms. One thing is certain. You
cant arm yourself for lovliness
if you are going to let leather el
bows spoil the picture. Your man
icure may be radiant, your skin
may be firm and white, but if that
peculiar place in the anatomical
structure of your arm, where one
joint meets another, is rough and
dark, the picture is spoiled.
First of all, cleanse your elbows.
Use a good soap and a soft brush.
Much of the loose rough skin will
come off in this way. If the skin
is too dark a little lemon juice and
salt will whiten it. Use it every
night for a weeek or two.
A cream massage will stimulate
circulation as well as nourish
your elbows. This service should
be performed e\ery night. A skin
food that is applied with a rotary
motion helps, too. And an astrin
gent which is put on the next
morning makes elbows take a
more attractive view of the beauty
situation.
II your elbows are freckled,
don’t laugh and say that it can’t
be helped. It can. The freckle
remover that assists your neck and
arms will be just as gracious about
helping the elbows.
Sleeveless chesses are worn
merely bccauce u.ms are attractive
enough to be seen. If yoru arms
aren’t lovely, cover them up until
they get that way.
There are certain beauty grains
which often help when you want
to make your elbows show. The/
are effective in revivifying an el
oow that has decided that it can't,
complete in the beauty line-up.
Don’t forget that a foundation
cream and powder add a luster to
elbows. Make up your entire arm.
Don’t skip an inch. Especially if
that inch is in the elbow area.
Now and then a woman whose
elbows are unusually attractive
adds a dash of rouge to her arm
make-up. Unfortunately there
aren't many elbows that are pretty
enough to win honorable mention.
Most of them are happy just to get
by without casting a shadow on
the arm.
Gandhi Garb Barred
For High School ‘Frosh’
Woodland, Cal., —(UP)— Wear
Tig of the Gandhi garb in Wood
and high school must stop.
Such was the edict issued by
school authorities, as nine upper
elassmen stood suspended today
lor sending freshmen boys to
school wearing loin cloths and
safetly pins.
To impress the new students
with their status in school, tha
seniors forced them to undress.
The edict followed.
OLD DAYS ON THE RIVER
In connection with the impending
revival of steamboat service on the
lower Missouri river, it is recalled
that the decade from 1850 to 1860
was the “golden era” on this im
portant inland waterway, but the ex
tent of the river traffic then is
hardly realized. In 1857, according
to one historian, about 60 steam
boats regularly plied between Kan
sas City and St. Louis, while 30 or
40 “tramps” made occasional trips.
In that year, it is said, more than
700 steamboats arrived at the port
of Kansas City.
The wharf master in those days
was one of the important city of
ficials, being empowered by ordi
nance to “exercise complete super
vision and control over the wharf,
river bank, landing and Front
street.” His duties included di
rection of where boats should land,
registration of the date of arrival
and departure of every water craft,
“except wood and coal boats,” col
lection of wharfage fees and super
vision over wrecks in the harbor,
Not many persons, perhaps, rea
lize that Kansas City still has a
wharf master. But he should as
sume something of his old im
portance as the river traffic re
vives.
WISE JUSTICE
Houston — Julius J. Salmon, 82,
feeble and almost deaf, walked be
fore Judge Kennerly on a liquor
charge. Questions put to him had to
be shouted. “I am 82, judge,” Sal
mon said, “and this is the first
time I was ever arrested. I just
sold a little whisky to get some
bread and meat.” The judge let
him go after getting his promise to
report back to court for an ac
counting next September.
YEAR'S CURFEW FOR PAIR
Dedham. Mass. —(UP)— Curfew
will ring nightly for the next year
for two 18-year-old Norwood boys,
When Thomas O'Day and John
Concannon were arraigned on
charges of disturbing the peace,
Judge Clifford B. Sanborn sus
pended sentences, but ruled that
the defendants must be in their
homes not later than 9 p. m. fox
;he next 12 months.
Judge Rules Husband
Can’t Be Indian Giver
Oakland, Cal. —(UP)— Gift*
are gifts, and may not be take*
back, Superior Judge T. W. Harru
ruled here recently.
He ordered Anthony Chaves
who was sued for diverce by lili
wife, to return to her the diamond
ting, the watch, and the bracelet
he gabe her before and durint
their marriage
»
MercolizedWax
Keeps Skin Young
Get aa ounce and UM as directed. Fine part tries of sicl
•km peel off until all defects such as pimples, liver
spots, tin and freckle* disappear. 8kin is then aoft
nod velvety. Your face looks years younger. Mercoliaed
Wax brings out the hidden beauty of your akin. T»
remote wrinkles use one ounce Powdered Sax oil to
dissolved in one-half pint witch haael. At drug 8torso.
Find Appropriate Stone
for Bjornson Memorial
After searching for two years
among the forests and rock-strewn
valleys of southern Norway, Herr
Sjur Fedje, an oetogenurian member
of the Storthing (parliament), bus
found a natural megalith of granite
suitable for erection as a “bauta”
stone for the Iljornson centenary
celebrations this summer. In Viking
times these “bauta” stones were set
ip to commemorate the illustrions
dead, often being dragged for weeks
on end to the chosen site. The stone
measures about 23 feet wide, 18
inches thick, 15 feet high, and
weighs seven tons. A portrait of
the famous Norwegian poet is to be
carved on the face of the stone
found by Herr Fedje, after which it
will be taken to Bjornsou’s estate at
Aulestad, and erected i> the grounds.
Bjornson, massive and rugged in his
person, as in his heart, could have
desired no more fitting memorial.
Reduced 30 Pounds
Never Felt Better
Safe Way to Lose Fat
Take the case of Miss Madelona
Crowley, for Instance, who lives In
Little Rock, Ark. Just read her
letter:
"I have used Kruschen Salts for
one year — when I started I weighed
140 pounds—now I weigh 110 pounds
and never felt better in my life."
That’s the big reason a host of
neu and women take Kruschen to
lose weight—as the fat goes you
gain In health—skin clears—eyea
grow bright—activity replaces in
dolence.
Take one-half teaspoonful of
Kruschen In a glass of hot water
every morning before breakfast—
cut down on fatty meats, potatoes
and sweets—a Jar of Kruschen that
costs but a trifle lasts 4 weeks—get
It at any drugstore In the world—but
for your health's sake demand and
get Krusch^i Salts.
Too Smart
The late Julius Rosenwnld, the
Chicago philanthropist, said in an ad
dress in Roanoke before one of the
4,000 Rosenwald colored schools:
“Smartness Is al right provided it
is all right. Give me the straightfor
ward smartness of John D. Rockefel
ler. I want none of the tricky smart
ness which resembles little Willie’s.
“ ‘Did you eat your caramels?’
Willie's mother asked him as they
left 1 lie picture palace.
* •Yos’m,’ said Willie.
“ ‘What did you do with all the
sticky paper wrappings?’
“ ‘I put’em,’said Willie, ‘In the coat
pocket of the fat man on my left.’ ”
Cuticura Talcum
Cools and Comforts
Fine, soft and smooth as silk it
keeps the skin comfortable
twenty-four hours of the day.
It also does much to prevent
chafing and irritation.
Price 23c.
Proprietor*: Potter Drag &
Chemical Corp., Malden, Mass.
Not Fully Dreised
Race horses ure trained dally In a
large held In front of five-year-old
Billie's home. He watches them
every day. One day he saw them
blanketed after being unsaddled.
“Daddy, are those their coats?" he
questioned.
“Yes, you might call them that,”
father replied,
“Where’s their pants?" Billie asked.
i?^i i m
fii \ T
H
Among Friends
Kathryn—Very Plain says that last
season she was a mere society bud.
Kittye—And this season she’s a
full-blown wallflower. — Brooklyn
Kagle.
ALMOST
FLAT ON
HER BACK
Aching back! Will
it never stop? She's
nearly desperate.
Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Com
pound has relieved
"feminine troubles'*
lot over 50 years.
Sioux City Ptg. Co., No. 31-193^