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 <J» 1 QO
96.00. Saturday only.V* #90
U. S. Navy pea coats, brand new QB
and a real bargain.«P9#90
■■■ ■■ ■' ■ ■ ■ I
Blankets
Double Woolnap blanket*, in plaid shade*,
full sime and good weight. dJO QQ
Saturday only.ei70
U. S. Army O. D. wool blankets in dJO QQ
perfect condition. Saturday at...
Large sise Esmond Indian bathrobe blankets,
•ise 72x90, with cord. Saturday d»E Oft
only..
Underwear
U. S. Army wool underwear, shirts and ’IQ _
drawers. Saturday only, per garment. • 5/C
All wool union suits, easily worth &Q QC
$6.00 per suit. Saturday only, suit sPa/s^i/
Wool union suits, guaranteed 50% dJO ACk
wooJ. Saturday only.tPfcs*!^
u. S. Army Regulation, O. D. Wool Shirts; do not confute these
I Q with imitation; these are the genuine regulation shirts; $3.45 j
Aviators’
Helmets
Just received a small
shipment o f these
popular helmets( an
all-leather helmet
lined throughout.
Saturday only—
Mackinaws and
Overcoats
U. S. Army officer’s wool
O. D. mackinaws, belted
all round and with patch
pockets, made to sell at
$15.00. Sat. (7 QC
urday only...
U. S. Army regulation 0.
D. wool overcoats, every
one in perfect condition;
new they are easily worth
$40.00. We offer them
X”1"$6.95
Breeches
U. S. Army O. D. wool
breechea, guaranteed per
iir..5*’": $1.98
U. S. Army O. D. wool
breechea, new; Saturday
.$3.95
U. S. Army O. D. wool
aerge breechea,button leg.
Very apecial d» A AC
Saturday at. .
Caps
Men’s khaki colored
moleskin caps with fur
lined earlaps, Saturday
at only—
98c
U. S. Army motor transport
three - fingered horsehide
gauntlets, wool lined, easily
worth $3.50. 1 'fP
Saturday at only vlst O
Mocha leather dress gloves,
flannel lined, made to sell
at $2.50 per pair. d»1 ^ C
Saturday at only V * • •
Sweaters
An all - wool sport
sweater, Kelly green,
two pockets. Originally
sold for $4.95; Satur
day at only—
THE ARMY GOODS STORE OF OMAHA
i
L _2
°’“u.«'V^.V‘,k' = 1619-HOWARD STT= 0p"u„s,r."l;.'MN',,,‘
lakes his valuables, and then declares
she has nothing to say."
"Now. now. Miss Bascom, he care
ful! Why did you put your stiletto tn
such a place. Miss Austin?"
"I don't know.” i
The dark eyes gave hint a gaze of
childlike Innocence, and Cray couldn't
decide whether he was looking at a
deep-dyed criminal or a helpless vic
tim of unjust suspicion.
"And where did you get the money
and the ruby pin?"
"I don’t know—I mean I don't know
how they got In my room. This lady
says she found them there—that's all
I know about them."
An indifferent shrug of the slim
shoulders seemed to imply that was
all Miss Mystery oared, either, and
Crav asked:
"Then, If the valuables—the pin and
the money are not yours, you are. of
course, ready to relinquish possession
of them."
“Of course I am not! Since I am
accused of stealing them. 1 propose
to retain possession until that accu
sation is proved or disproved! Per
haps Miss Bascom wishes to take
them herself.”
"You know, Miss Austin," Mr. ('ray
spoke very gravely, "you are making
a mistake in treating this matter
flippantly ,. You are in danger—real
danger, and you must be careful
what you say. Do you want a law
yer?"
"1 don't know,” the girl suddenly
looked helpless. "Do you think X
ought to have one?"
"Have you funds?"
"Yes. I am not a rich girl—hut,
neither am 1 poor. However. I think
I shall ask advice of someone before
1 decide upon any course."
"Of whom? Perhaps no cue can
advise you better than I can."
"What Is your advice. Mr. Cray?"
The sweet face looked at him hope
fully, the curved red lips quivered a
little as the speaker added. "I am
very alone.” t
Again Miss Bascotn sniffed. Unat
tractive lierself, she resented with a
sort of angry jealousy the appealing
effect this girl had on men. She knew
intuitively that Cray would sympa
thize with and pity the lonely girl.
*'My advice is, Miss Austin, first,
that you dispel this mystery that
seems to surround you. Tell frankly
who you are. what Is your errand in
Corinth, how you came in possession
of Pr. Warlng's ruby, and why you
hid your stiletto, If It Is merely one
of your sewing implements."
Miss Mystery hesitated a moment,
and then said, quietly:
"Your advice is good, Mr. Cray.
Rut. unfortunately. I cannot follow it.
However. I am willing to state, upon
oath, that I did not kill Ur. Waring
with that stiletto."
"I’m afraid your oath will be
doubted," Miss Rascotn intervened
sharply. "And, too, Mr. Cray, even
If this girl did not strike the fatal
blow, she well knows who did! She Is
In league with the Japanese, Nogl.
That 1 ant sure of!"
"Nogi!” exclaimed Anita.
"Yes, Nogl.” Miss Rascom went on.
positively. "You came here only a
day or two after he did. You ha\e a
Japanese kintono and several Japa
nese ornaments adorn your room.
You went to the Waring house tha*
right. Nogl lot you In and out. nnd
though tho Japanese doubtless com
mitted the murder, you stole the
money and tho ruby, and then, your
partner in crime departed for parts
unknown."
Miss Kaseom sat hark In her chair
with n look of triumph on her plain,
gaunt face.
(Ti> 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.
