THE MYSTERY GIRL By C.VBOLVtt WDUJ._(Copyright, !>«■> K ontlnurd from TrUnday.l Miss Bascom put in the drawer!" "Yes—that is, she must have done so, or—how else could they have been found there? You kno wynurself, now, don't you, Mr. Cray, that I’m not h burglar—or a bandit or a aneak thief? You know 1 never went into Dr War ing's study and took those things. So, as 1 say, isn't it the only plausible theory that Miss Bascom, who found the valuables so readily, first put them there herself?" "That matter can easily he settled,” Cray said, and going to the door he asked Mrs. Adams to send Miss Bas com to them. With an important air the spinster on; -:ed the room. Holding herself very erect and even drawing aside her skirts as she passed Miss Adstln, she took a scat on the Other side of the room. "Now, Miss Bascom,” Cray began at once, "what made you thinl: of looking in this lady's bureau drawer for that money?” "I didn't look for It. Mr, Cray. I merely felt that she had done wrong and 1 thought perhaps some evidence wiatld be hidden away in her room. And a top drawer is the place a woman oftenest hides things.” • 'ray gave a short laugh. "Rather clever of you, I admit. But Miss Austin says She did not put that money there, herself—that It was a plant.” “A plant?” Miss Bascom looked puzzled at the word. "Yes; she thinks some ill-disposed person put it there to implicate her, falsely.” “Oh. I see. Well, Mr. Cray, let her say who did it, and who could have S'd that money to do it with.” The hard old face took on a look that was almost malignant in its ac cusation, and little Anita Austin gave a low cry as she saw it, and hid her face in her hands. "Take her away,” she moaned, “oh, take that woman away." "You hear her,” Miss Bascom went on, unrelentingly. "Now, Mr. Cray. I'm a hit of a detective myself, and while you’ve been down here talking to Miss Mystery, I’ve been searching her room more carefully, and I've found a few more things, of which I should like to tell you.” Cray was nonplused. His sympa thies were all with the poor little girl, who, clinging to the arms of her chair, seemed about to go to pieces, nervously, hut was bravely holding onto herself. Yet, if the Bascom woman was telling the truth, he must beware of the "poor little girl.” 'Tin not sure you’re within your rirMs, Miss Bascom,” he began, but he was interrupted with: ."Rights! Indeed, the rights of this matter are al>ave your jurisdiction! The blood of John Waring calls from the ground! I am the instrument of justice that has been chosen by an overruling Providence to discover the criminal. She sits before you! That gill—that mysterious wicked girl is both thief and murderess!” Oh. no. Anita cried, putting up her arm as if to ward off a physical i blow. Then she suddenly became quiet— almost rigid in her composure, i "That is a grave accusation. Miss ! Bascom." she said, “you must prove | it or retract it.” Cray stared at the girl In astonlsli ment. Her agonized cry had been hu man, feminine, natural—but this sud den change* to stony calm, to icy hauteur was amazing—and, to his mind, incriminating. Miss Bascom. however, was In no way daunted. "Prove,it I will!” she said sternly. "In another drawer, Mr. Cray, I found the rolls of silver coin—exactly $100 worth—that we have been told were in the desk with the roll of bills. The ruby pin. you know about. And so, these thefts are proved. Now, as to the murder—I admit. It seems Im possible that a girl should commit the awful crime—but I do say that I have found the weapon with which it was done hidden in Miss Austin's room." Again that short, low cry—more like a hurt animal than a human be ing. And then. Anita Austin, the girl of mystery, fell back into the depths of her chair, and closed her eyes. "Vou needn't faint, Miss Austin— or pretend to,” admonished Miss Bas com brutally; “you're caught red handed, and you know It, and you may as well give up." "I didn't—I didn't—” came in low moans, but the girl's bravery had de serted her. Limp and despairing, she turned her great eyes toward Cray for help. With an effort he looked away from her pleading face, and said: "What is th<5 weapon? Where did you lind It?" "It is a stiletto—an embroidery sti- i letto—and I found it tucked down in ; the crevice between the back and seat of a stuffed chair in Miss Austin's I room. Did you put it there?” She turned on the girl and tired I the question at her with intentional suddenness, and though Anita uttered a scared "No,” it was a palpable un truth. "She did," Miss Bascom went on. “You can see for yourself, Mr. Cray, she Is lying.” "But even if she Is, Miss Bascom. I must ask you to cease torturing her! I can’t stand for such cruelty!” Cray's manhood revolted at the methods of the older woman who was causing such anguish to the poor child she accused. “You are not a legal Inquisitor. Miss Bascom,” ho went on; "it is for me to establish the truth or fnlsity of your suspicions.” “Yes, you! You're like all the other men! If a girl is pretty and alluring you would believe her statement that white Is black!” "I believe no statements that can not tie proved to my satisfaction. Miss Austin, do you own ap embroidery stiletto?” "Yes.” was the hesitating answer and the dark eyes swept him n be seeching glance that made Miss Bas com fairly snort with scorn. “Where is it?" "I—I fear I must admit that It is Just where Miss Bascopl says it Is— unless she has removed it. Tell me Mr. Cray,” and Miss Mystery sud denly resumed her most Independent air,* "must I submit to this? I thought accused people were entitled to a—oh, you know, counsel—a law yer, or somebody to tnke care of them.” "Walt, Miss Austin. You're not ac cused yet—that Is, not by legal au thority.” "Oh. am 1 not? Then—” and she gave Miss Bascom a glance of unut terable scorn, "I have nothing to say.” • "Nothing to say!” the spinster al most shrieked. "Nothing to say! Of course she hasn’t! She kills a man. SATURDAY MUSICAL FREE TO ALL December 30, 1922 3:30 P. M. The twelfth, this season, of these free musicals will be held tomorrow, and one hour of real enjoyment is promised you. Come and bring your friends. The following well-known Omaha artists make up the program: Celco solo played by Teresa Carreno, vocal solo by Elmer Parsons, pupil of Adeline Kelstrom; violin |olo by Marie Rasmussen, pupil of J. E. Brill, accompanist Mrs. .1. E. Brill; piano solo by Miss Helen Jacobs, pupil of Elinore Rentz; Spanish dancing by Gwendolin Johnson, pupil of Dorothy Devere; Celco played by Rudolph Friml; reading by Betty Steinberg, pupil of Amy Woodruff; piano solo by Ralph Ream, pupil of Ruth Miller; vocal solo by Miss Velma Robertson, pupil of Miss Kelstrom. Schmoller & Mueller Dodge St. Piano Co. aSS”.”* j PRE-INVENTORY SALE OF U. S. Army Goods I Saturday, a real harvest of bargains, everything priced for quick clearance before inventory. We must reduce our stock and we have spared no pains in cutting prices to the lowest ebb. Buy now and save 20% to 30%. . ■■ . Army Shoes (J. S. Army officer's shoes, s solid leather shoe made especially for wear and dJO Q C comfort. Saturday only.V«^e*7^ U. S. Army Defiance unlined russet shoes, made of solid leather. d*S OQ Saturday . U. S. Army field or hobnail shoes, dJO the best work shoe made. Saturday Navy Specials U. S. Navy blue wool watch caps, ideal for ■hating or other sports, fine for chil- >yft dren. Saturday only. • wC U. S. Navy all wool blue slipover sweaters, cost the Navy approximately He Continued Monday.1 Ottt 17 Million Ion LW Yto.ly m V Continuing You Save Omaha’s One-Half Supreme Value-Giving Event—This Sensational Half-Price Sale of Coals, S ‘Is, Furs, Dresses Package after package of our Gigantic, Spot Cash Purchase of Winter Ap parel is being unpacked and will be placed on sdle SATURDAY. This, together with the thousands of Coats, Suits, Furs and Dresses of our magnificent Omaha stock, will mean for you better selections and lowest in Omaha prices. It means you can actually save OnelHalf And even more of the price you would have paid for same quality in mid-selling season. I \ of Prices—Only a Few Mentioned Here COATS i25.00 values $12.50 29.50 values 14.75 39.50 values 19.75 49.50 values 24.75 FURS $195 Muskrat Coats, now - $ 97.50 325 Seal • 162.50 750 Beaver 375.00 DRESSES $15.00 values $ 7.50 25.00 values 12.50 29.50 values 14.75 35.00 values 17.50 Better Coats $ 89.50 values - $44.75 95.00 values - 47.50 125.00 values - 62.50 150.00 values - 75.00 175.00 values - 89.50 195.00 values - 97.50 SUITS $69.50 values $34.75 59.50 values 29.75 45.00 values 22.50 35.00 values 17.50 • • Better Dresses $89.50 values 44.75 79.50 values 39.75 69.50 values 34.75 59.50 values 29.75 The selections are so numerous, you'll surely find here the Gar ment you want, and you &4 VE ONE-HALF.