Th
e
Social
Pirates
Story No, 11 Fangs of the Tattler
"Is this Miss Hartley Mont Hart
ley?" The girl who had picked up the tele
phone transmitter gave a wondering
affirmative to tha question over the
wire, noting that it was a woman's
voice which had spoken a voice
which held a suggestion of hysteria.
"My name is Burton," continued the
, voice, "Mrs.'Amos Burton. You don't
know me, but I have heard of you and
your friend, . Miss Davenport, and
I I wish you could help hie I I am
in desperate trouble 1" The hysteria
in the speaker' voice was rising to
shrill crescendo. "Don't say you
cannotl If' you refuse me, I don't
konw what I shall dol" . ;
Mona glanced at her watch.
"If you will give me your address,
Mrs. Burton, Miss Davenport and I
will see you at . once," she said
briskly. ; ' -
It was shortly after 11 o'clock when
the hired motor of the two girl drew
up before a handsome residence, set
well back in a yard, on which wealth
had lavished much attention. ' Their
cards received an immediate invita
tion from the butler to follow him to
Mrs. Burton's boudoir a tastefully
furnished and essentially feminine
room on the second floor. Mrs. Bur
ton rose from a chaise lounge to meet
them. The newspaper description of
her had not been exaggerated. Her
age could not have been more than
25 years, and she looked even younger
in her lacy negligee and boudoir cap.
under which gfeaifttd heavy masses of
dull bronze hair. Her eyes showed
a sleepless- night, and her fingers
worked nervously as she shook hands
with her visitors, and motioned them
to chairs near her.
' . She need no urging to plunge into
her story. Evidently it was the up
permott subject of her thoughts.
"I sent for you," she. began, "be
cause I need the services of someone
upon whose discretion and honesty I
can absolutely rely.
"If you read the newspapers, she
began again, "you must know some
thing of my married life, and my
husband. The papers printed columns
about us DOtn at ine time oi our i
ding. Mr. Burton is much older than
myself, although we were both de-
- voted to each other. But he is fright
fully jealous, unreasonably ao at
times, for I swear that I have never
given him cause to doubt my loyalty.
And now it looks as though circum
stances had conspired against me, and
. that I shall be branded in his eyes as
a designing creature, unworthy of his
; love, through absolutely no fault of
' my own." .'..-'- -
"Go on, please," encouraged Mona.
Mrs. Burton flushed. "To go back
a short time in my life, I must tell you
- that before my, marriage I was on
: rather good terms with George Alli
son, a young artist. In fact, had con
ditions been different the affair might
have developed more seriously. As
it was, it was definitely at an end even
before I received Mr. Burton's offer
of marriage. You see, Mr. Allison
himself and hil career with
drugs, and about the tirrte I became
engaged, ' ha disappeared utterly.
, A few month after my marriage i
received a letter from him, dated from
South America, saying he was very ill.
Then another letter came, telling me
hr. wu in a critical condition, and
asking if I could send him some
money. Such an appeal, of course,
would have destroyed any love for
him, even if there had been any left,
for it was easy enough to read be
tween the lines of the ravages of hi
own dissipation. But ' I sent him
some money, rather foolishly, per
hapsand then forgot the incident
' until yesterday." : , '! '. .
She paused again, and continued
more slowly and deliberately. "
"Yesterday afternoon I received a
a t v. . ..it ih.
card Irom man lyiing iiiiukh
ner Runkle. attorney, with a request
fnr in interview on a vital subject
Reluctantly I received him and he,
horrified me witn tne announcement
that my letter from George Allison
were 'in the possession of a newspa.
fier, and about to be published un
ess I could 'raise enough money to
buy them back. Of course, I thought
' he was shooting at random, but when
I searched by desk I found that he
had, indeed, spoken the truth, for all
of my letters hid been, tolen." -,
Mona' face contracted grimly.
"I tee!" the said grimly. "And
what is the name of the enterprising
newsoaDer in the case?"
"The Tattler?" Surely,; you must
knfiw it - It has acquired a tremen
dous reputation by publishing the
most sensational scandals o( any
naoer in this section affaift which
no one but a person intimately ac
quainted in society could have known
about. Everyone has suspected for
months that The Tattler was being
supplied with its material by someone
beina1 received into the best homes
of the city ina mere nave Deen ugiy
rumors of other scandal stories, even
more sensational than those it has
4 published, which were suppressed
smnnlv at the last moment When
. I received the proposition of the
lawyer, Runkle, I could understand
how this had been done, and that I
was nor the only victim which The
Tattler had caucht in its toils. He told
me that he had happened to drop into
the editorial offices of the newspa
per quite -by accident, and while there
had seen the proof of the article
about me, which was to have been
( published in this week's issue. Know
ing the injury which such a public
tion would be to me, he had pre
vailed upon the editor to hold up the
article, a he expressed it, until he
could see me explaining that it
would mean considerable lost to the
paper's circulation to stop the publi
cation of such ( sensational ttory,
arid that if I were willing to make up
thi loss, be thought it possible to
oft back the letter for me. He told
me that it might be arranged for
$5,000, and he is to call tomorrow for
k the money." t
"And you have planned to give it
in himF' asked Mary.
"I can'tl I haven't got it! And there
is no way 1 can raise it without carry
ins the whole wretched story to my
husband. You ee, I have already
overdrawn my allowance, and it is
quite impossible even to pawn my
jewels without Mr. Burton finding it
out. and suspecting all sort of, things.
No there is no way out, unlet you
can help mel" ' ' ' -. X.
"You ay the : letter -were stolen
from your private dek?"sked Mona
thoughtfully.. "That fact, at least
should give us a base from which to
work. Who, besides yourself, had ac
cess to the desk and who knew the
letters were there?"
"No onel" said Mrs. ; Burton
promptly.
"But that 1 impoible," remon
strated the girL "The thief must
have known. And we must find the
thief if we are to help you I Have
yon a maid?"
"Of course but Miml ( quite
above suspicion, I assure you. I
would vouch for her devotion."
"Can we talk to her?" asked Mona.
ln answer Mrs. Burton pressed a
concealed call button at her side. It
was quite obvious that -(he thought
her visitor were ' wasting valuable
time. A moment later the door
opened to admit a young, dark-eyed
girl, with unmiatakeable Parisian fea
tures and mannerisms, who stood
silently surveying them at Mrs. Bur
ton explained that her visitors wished
to ask her a few questions.
Mona flung a half dozen searching
queries to the demure maid, who met,
them all without so much as a change
of color. In the end, Mona was
forced to abandon the amateur in
quisition, and gbmg a signal to Mary,
'arose reluctantly as Mrs. Burton dis
missed the servant"
"I am afraid you are right about
Mimi," said Mona, as she stood, sur
veying the room uncertainly. -"She is
either absolutely loyal and honest, or
one of the most consummate ac
tresses I have met" !
At they passed through the hall,
Mona caught a glimpse of Mimi't
face watching them wondertiigly. In
the lower hall, Mona uttered a sud
den exclamation, and started back to
the atair.
"I have forgotten my purse, he
aid hurriedly. "I can get it Mrs.
Burton thank.
At the door of the boudoir, Mona
hesitated a moment and then atep
ped suddenly into the room. Mimi'
was rising from the telephone.
Mona flashed her a auick glance.
and saw that the girl waa flushing
uncomfortably. ,
To whom were you phoning?" she
asked abruptly, '
Mimi tossed her head.
"And what doe that matter to
your , ..- , :
Mona compretted her lip, ' and
picked up her purse. "Nothing per
haps!" the said, and walked down the
(tain thoughtfully. In tha lower hall,
the faced Mr. Burton decidedly.
"That maid of your know more
about thi affair , than the ha'sVold
us I", the said. '(With your permission,
I would like to question her again."
"I am certain you, are mistaken"
(aid Mr. Barton dubiously, "but if
you are to help me, I suppose you
muit hve your own way."
Again Mimi was summoned,' and
again she faced Mona' twiftly varied
questions thit time meeting her in
terrogator with more assurance, at
though realizing that the had her mis
tress confidence to tupport her. In
thjfld.. Mona. wat obliged he
or, to own herself defeated. With
a ihrug he watched the girl' leave
tne room. . "',.
"If I have "-wronged her.- I am
torry," (he (aid (imply. "But I am
more confident than over that (he
holdt the key to the disappearance of
your letters, and that we must make
her tell v the truth!
'Oh, I hope you are wronffl" cried
Mr. Burton. Mona flashed her a
swift glance. The other't defense of
her maid, in spite of her own trouble,
poke mucn tor ner generosity. ; .
"You will hear from, us verv soon
perhaps in the course of an hour,"
promised Mona, at the two girls pre
pared' to take their leave. "I am not
ure yet just now we can neip you,
or whether you have done wisely in
coming to us instead of to a licensed
detective agency. But if it's possible
for u to aid you, be ture that we will
do ttr -. . -. v.--,.
Mary turned to her friend int.
pulsively when the two were alonei
"What did you mean by your prom
ise to let ner near trom us in- an
hour or so?
"Because we are going back again,"
aid. Mona quickly. "First. 1 have
some purchase to make for the bene-
nt ot our mend, Mimi. ,
She instructed the driver to stop at
a drug (tore, and a few minute later
he returned to the machine with
packet of a peculiar black ' powder,
which the exhibited triumphantly.
"Tf tnav u,a,1. h ah Uul "Km
I mean to try it at any rate.
Mrs. Burton met them with
glance in which hope and bewilder
ment mingled. "Have you found any
thing?" the asked,
"I hone to shortly." laid - Mona.
"Have you an eld envelope with your
address r ane asked.
Mrs. Burton' bewilderment deeo-
ened, a she went to her desk, "Here
it an envelope, if it it what vou want."
. Won looked at it and smiled. "It
will do admirably." Carrying the en
velope to the light the duited it with
a portion ot tne black powder the
had purchated. Mary gave a little cry
at the impression of four finger and
a thumb ahowed vaguely on the white
paper. -
M (I.-.. 1-4. H A
jmj iiiibci puma, , cAtwmcu
Mona. "Now if you will kindly call
Mimi again, Mrs. Burton. 1 think I
can promise you tome definite prog-
Mimi t ffaze onenlv nriari fe.
fiance at the answered tha rin.
i am aorry to trouble you," aaid
Mona, adopting a 'more conciliatory
tone than the had uted before. "In.
seed. I am quite ture that I have
wronged you in my suspicions, and
I have called vou in order to tell vnn
t . ...
more jura, Burton mat 1 am ver
sorrv if I have done vou m inin.tir1
ane stepped forward, and in doing so,
dropped her ilver vanity box, which
fell to the floor, almost at Mimi'
feet ' With a (mile, the maid ttooped
m icuvcrcu IK. .
inank vou. smiled Mnm hnlrf.
ing the box carefully by itt edge. "Oh,
iust a moment. Dleuc." h rU.A
Mimi made a movement at though to
leave. At the maid paused uncer
tainly. Mona carried the vanity box
to the window, and dusted more of
the black powder over its polished
surface. Against the silver back
ground appeared the imprint of the
mains lingers and tnumb.
"Will you please give me that- en
velope of Mra. Burton's?"- Mona
asked . Mary. The other obeyed
promptly, and Mona straightened1
with a cry of apparent satisfaction.
"I have caught you red-handed,
Mimi!" she said crisply. "Perhaps
you 'have not heard of the wonderful
evidence of human finger prints? It
has been established that there is no
more infallible witness than the tell
tale marks of the thiefi own hand.
Thit envelope" holding out that
which Mr. Burton had given her
"revealed a peculiar set of finger
prints. And now," producing the
vanity box. "I have another1 let of
finger printl, which coincidet exactly.
At the envelope wat recovered from
Mr. Burton's desk, there it only one
course I can take. I must telephone
for the police, and give you into cus
tody on the ' charge of purloining
documents of your employer. May 1
use your 'phone Mrs. Burton?"
The mistress stared as though fazed
by the sudden development For a
moment Mimi ttood, surveying her
questioner with wide-eyed amaze
ment Then with a gasp she sprang
forward and caught Mona't arm. -
"No no. not the oolicel" the
wailed.. "Anything but the police I I
confess! I will tell you everything
but not the police I" '..
Mona't ingenious ruse had worked
perfectly. The girl twiftly veiled her
tatitfaction and pretended to consider
the maid t request - ; , -,.
- "I don't know that vou can helo
u that we need your evidence," he
aaid dubiously.
"Oh, but you do not know--you
do not know all that I can tell you,"
pleaded Mirril twiftly. ."I can take
you 'to the man 'who paid me the
money for the letter, who "
"You wretch!" cried Mrs. Burton,
who now saw ah e other's duplicity.
Mimis tears redoubled.
"His name is Runkle. and he told
me that he would pay me well for
any information I could give him for
hi newspaper, cut even he is not
the man you want He is only an
agent. The real man i '
Who' mapped Mona.
Mimi smiled craftily. "You promise
me that I shall be protected that I
shall not suffer?"
If you tell the truth . and keen
akh with me," conceded Mona
grudgingly. :'
"Very well, then. ' It it a promise.
The man you want, who employed
D..'.L d.:..m ur.- ,L
Mrt.f Burton gave a cry of in
credulity,
"Impossible I Why, I Jcnow Mr.
Wehtworth well! He it above any
such infamy.- There would be no
need for him to stooo to such meth
ods 'to gain money, for he is rich
in his own nght, popular, and a
caller in all the best homes of town,"
Mona smiled cryptically.
"Doesn't your description tally ex
actly with the. idea you gave me of
the mysterious inforriiant of The. Tat
tler in Society? All but the financial
standing of Mr. Wentworth and oer-
iaps nis income may oe largely oiuirr
Mrs. Burton frowned dubiously. "Of
course, you may be right," she con
ceded. ' "After the revelation of Mi
mi' treachery ,1 could believe almost
anything! She turned on the maid
angrily. "If it were not for Mis
Davenport's promise' of ' protection J
would be tempted to turn you over
to the police myseltl
. ''You forget that you would have
to tell them about the letters I" re
torted Mimi sullenly. .' ,
Mrs. Burton, stiffened. Uh, what
shall I do?' ahe; moaned again, as
the realization-of her situation again
broke upon her. "Even if Mimi ha
told you what he did with my cor
respondence, how .does it help ut?
How are' we to get back the lettera?
And, 'remember, -uplest they can be
returned to me intact, without their
contents; - becoming known, I am
ruined ruined r v , ,'
:. Mona, patted her encouragingly on
the shoulder.- "Mimi is going to re
deem herself by helping. me to make
the 'acquaintance of Messrs. - Runkle
and Wentworth and sunless I am
more mistaken than I ever was be
fore, I think' I can promise, you a
gratifying, report in the very near fu
ture u lo begin with, now that Mimi
is out of your service, she i going
to enter mine--for the time being. .
She scribbled the address of their
apartment on a card, and gave it to
the hesitating maid. "I am trusting
you absolutely! You will report to
me this afternoon. If you so much
as try. to warn either Runkle or Went
worth ot what haa happened, 1 snail
give you to the police no matter
what tne results may oe to Mr.
Burtonl"' . -.- :' N
For a moment the and Mimi
tared into each other't eyes Mona
coldly determined, and Mimi fluctu
ating between a sullen defiance and
fear. In the end Mona': superior
will won, and Mimi moved to the
ooor. -
You will hear from ma in the aft
ernoon, she taid. .
"And now. Mra.' Burton." cried
Mona at the door closed behind the
other, "vou must do exactly aa I tell
you, if you expect me to be of any
assistance. In the first place, you
must plead with the man, Runkle, for
more time. . Tell him anything you
please that you have to borrow the
money or pawn yor jeweii iiycning
to- gain time until I have a chance
to act. Do you understand r
"Perfectly," agreed Mrs. Burton,
dropping into a chair. "I am like a
drowning person - clutching at
straw."
Mona spent the remainder of the
day in a tiient, tpecuiative- stuoy,
from which Mary did not arouse her,
even when Mimi put in appearance,
faithful to her appointment - it was
not until the two girls were prepar
ing to retire for the night-that Mona
unbosomed herself, and before ahe
had spoken a dozen words, Mary
realized - that her friend' quick wit
was beginning to see a solution of
rneir Dromcm. .
"Dick Carlton it dining with ut to
morrow, isn t her she asked. t
- "You mean we are dining with him,'
corrected Mar v. . ,
"I admit the error," miled Mona.
"Well, Dick it to enter our tervice
for the time being. You are to be
mv confidential secretary and com
panion, and 1 am to be a rather
flighty voung married woman, with
a rich husband in .Seattle, and a gen
erous allowance to spend as long as
I behawe myself.- Do you begin to
catch my drift;
, "And I am. of course, to sell in
formation against you to Runkle for
a story in The Tattler!" cried Mary.
"Not exactly. We'll determine that
0
point later. Help me to choose a
name for myself. Whose wife am
I to.be?"
"You want a name that sounds like
money and respectability," laid Mary
reflectively. "Smith tt too common.
So it Jones. How about Douglas?"
"Splendid. Mrs. Steven Douglas
of Seattle, on an excursion here to see
the sights, and have a general good
time, while hubby is sticking close
to the eternal grindstone to provide
the wherewith 1 Now, if our young
friend, Dick, comes up to specifica
tions I think we can consider the cast
tatitfactorily filled!"
Dick Carlton, as the girls had. con
fidently expected, entered into the
spirit of their plans with a relish, and
when Mona sketched the part he was
to play that of secretary to her hus
band, and more than slightly in love
with herself he accepted the role
with alacrity, particularly the latter
portion. . '
The next afternoon Mona, as Mrs.
Douglas, with Mary as her secretary
and Mimi as ner .maid, made a some-
Plot by George Bronson Howard
Novelization by Hugh C. Weir
::: -Copyright Kalem Company
what spectacular appearance at the
Roanoake, one or the select hotels of
the city, and was assigned to a suite,
which only the most generous bank
roll could have stood. The following
day Mrs. Burton, who had been noti
fied of the girl's assumed character,,
invited her to a tea, at which she'
was presented to a group of the city's
socially and financially elect Mona
kept a sharp eye open for Reginald
Wentworth,. but that gentleman did
not make an appearance.
The next morning found several in
vitation to various affairs in her
mail, and at a theater party that eve
ning she met for the first time the
object of her clottings. Wentworth
was a tall, well set up fellow in his
early thirties, with a certain grace of
manner, toward the fair sex, which
bad obviously won mm many mends
among women. He established him
self at Mona s tide, and tne gin pur
posely made herself agreeable to' him
in a frank, open, manner, which kept
Wentworth with her for the better
part of two acts.
Un the following afternoon, xjick
Carlton, registering as Raymond Dan-
ield of Seattle, sauntered into the
Roanoake, and' that evening he es
corted Mona to another theater party,
where he was duly presented to Mrs.
Burton . and her mends, including
Wentworth, who showed ncy too
great a relish when the stranger calm
ly appropriated the rich young Mrs.
Douglas, foe. the bulk of the evening.
It wat a nart of Mona't plan to give
the impretsion that the and Carlton
and the succeeded admirably.
Early, in the following week (he
conaidered her preparationa far
enough advanced to proceed safely
with the next step in her program.
She called Mimi into their titting
room, and inatructed the maid to
make an appointment with the man,
Runkle, for the park that afternoon
at 2 o'clock. , " !
Hold himt there until Miss Hart
ley arrives with Mr. Carlton," directed
Mona.- Uive mm any excuse neces
sary.. Tell him that you see way
which vou can make capital out
rev 'suoDoted indicrettenhy-
thlng to keep him occupied until miss
Hartley is ready. k
Mimi nodded. She was beginning
to hold thi assured young woman in
both fear and admiration. When the
servant disappeared, Mona went over
the final details ef her contemplated
denouement with Mary, rehearsing
the latter until convinced there could
be no mistake. - -.' :
Promptly at 2 o clock Mimi strolled
-i i. i i
lookinc the main driveway, with
Runkle a stockily built, florid-faced
man, with amall, crafty eye, which
surveyed the maid' trim appearance
ineculativelv. - ,- '.-i '
you say tnat tni Mr, uougias
Is young, and pretty and rich?" He
purred at the last word as the servant
nodded vigorously.
','There is no .doubt that " Mimi
broke' off her sentence. . A couple
were strolling down the path, engaged
in an angry dialogue. It wa Mary
hand Carlton. As they reached the
bench, on which Mimi and her com
panion were sitting, Mary suddenly
broke away from Carlton in a torrent
of weeping denunciation.
. "You are ttreo ot mei rou are
throwing me over for herl I know
what 1 in your heart! You ahall re
gret it oon-very oonl" With that
the tried to make a tcornful toss of
her pretty head; Mary ataggered
across to any empty bench, lariton
watched her for a moment in a cyn
ical ailence. and lighted a cigarette.
"Perhaps it is better to have it
over with I" he called after her, lifting
his hat with a flourish. At any rate,
vou know the truth now!" Without
a backward glance, he strolled back
down the path, leaving the weeping
girl alone on the bencbr- for a mo
ment Mary sobbed convulsively, and
then lifted her head to discover that
she was alone, and that Carlton had
disappeared. She rose to her feet
glanced wildly about her, 'nd hesi
tatingly walked to the lake. Appar
ently the wat about to throw herself
.l . r i.i. : ;.t- .
mio ine wiicr. auhkic. win a mut
tered oath, aprang across and grasped1
her' arm.
None of that young woman! he
snapped as Mary glared at him.' "If
he has thrown you over, there are far
better ways of revenge than that!" "
Mary stared at him, as though not
comprehending, while Mimi-- hovered
discreetly in the background. At that
moment the honk ot an automobile
horn sounded from the driveway, and
the voice of Reginald Wentworth
called across to Runkle.. -
"If you will wait Ijere r moment,"
the latter taid to Mary, "I thould like
to talk to you. And I think a little
interview might be of profit to both
of us I"
Mary glanced, quickly - at Went
worth, who was watching the scene
curiously from the car, and dropped
back on her bench, indicating that
she would wait. The opportune ar
rival of Wentworth was a real piece
of luck. She was confident that her
tpectacnlar parting from Carlton, and
consequent desperation at hit de
sertion, had effectually blinded Run
kle and had given her a logical ap
proach into the other't confidence. If
the could deceive Wentworth at well
half of her battle would be won. She
ttole a glance at Mimi, who was act
ing her role of, curious servant girl
to' perfection! A moment later she
saw Runkle's stocky fornfleavt Went
wotth's car. Evidently the two men
V ,.i - t . , .'
had reached a decision - in regard
to her.
"Do you know Mrs. Steven Doug
las?" began Runkle.
Mary simulated a look of deep bit
terness. "Know her?" she snapped. "She is
the creature who has ttolen my
sweetheart from me! If it hadn t
been for her nothing would have ever
come between Raymond - Daniels
and mel"
Runkle gave a grunt of satisfaction.
"I am Mrs. Douglas's confidential
companion," continued Mary vicious
ly. "And I always thought she was the
best friend I had in the world until
she threw me over for Raymond Dan
iels!" , -.'-,'
"Or he -threw you over for her!
suggested Runkle maliciously.
Mary sprang to her feet with a
fresh burst of rage.
"The cat! If there was only some
way in which I could even up with
her, and make her suffer as she has
made me!" ' - . .
. "I thought Mrs. Douglas was the
possessor of a husband," said Runkle
reflectively, "Or is that just gossip?"
Mary looked at him musingly, and
suddenly her eyes snapped with satis
faction. '' ..- .V"' - '"..I', v-'.
' "If Steven Douglas ever found out
about hi young and beautiful wife's
flirtations with Raymond Daniels, his
youthful tecretary " she stopped
short biting her lips at just, the right
point and saw Runkle's eyes gleam.
"Yes?" he encouraged. "And what
would happen if he did?" -
"Happen?" cried Mary. "He would
throw her off without a dollar! But
he would have - to be given actual
proof. He it too wise to take gossip
for evidence and too devoted?"-
Runkle lighted a cigar, and smoked
for a moment in silence.
., "Would he pay for such evidence?"
he asked at length. -;
"What do you mean?" taid Mary
suspiciously. . -, .
Runkle laughed. "Get wiael Get
wise!" he chuckled. "Why not cash in
to Douglas, and at the same time pay,
back the wif&for what the hat done'
to you? It isn t often that a chance
of that kind comet to a girl I"
Mary lingered her hand nag nerv
ously. "If I only dared!" the hesitat
ed. "Yet. I think he would pay hand
somely! But I don't want the money.
I 'would be satisfied if I could pay
back my debt to her the treacherous
hussy!" '
ihe gleam In Kunkle s eye deep
ened. Around a bend in the road
Wentworth' automobile appeared
leisurely, stopping .opposite the bench.
Runkle rose to his feet, and sauntered
over to the road, where he talked for
a moment with Wentworth, and then
beckoned to Mary. The girl obeyed
the summons with just the right de
gree of hesitation, and found Went
worth s eyes appraising ner shrewdly
as Runkle explained tne situation. She
smiled up at him, and Wentworth
moved over to the end of his seat
mixing room lor ner.
- Won t you let me give you a lift?
he invited. "Then we. can talk at our
leisure.'-' '- :,' :l -,
-. Mary veiled her elation, and glanced
at her watch hesitatingly, "I don't
know rhether. -ought -to go'
i "NonsenseP.'protested Wentworth,
and the girl allowed herself to be per
suaded. ' ,''." V '."''" !.
She knew that Runkle had told the
other of their conversation, and that
the roan had taken- this opportunity
to study her for himself. It was evi
dent that he was waiting for her to
bring up the subject of Mrs. Douglas,
but she studiously kept away from it
and at length he Vas obliged to refer
to the topic himself: .
"Runkle tell me that you are living
at the Koanoake with Mr. Steven
Pougiatr he began. And that yous
have been having tome trouble. J. ell
me about it!
Mary glanced' quickly from under
her eye-lashes. There was a , genuine
ring ot interest in his voice, and she
felt his eyes, traveling over her face
and figure approvingly - as she un
bosomed herself, in more detail, of the
details ' which . the had confided to
Runkle. When Wentworth finally- in-
ttructed the chauffeur to stop, at a
point near the Roanoake, he lingered
in hi good-byes, ana torced her to
consent to dine with him the next
evening. ,
She drew a long breath as the car
finally rolled away, Wentworth wav
ing to her from the rear seat. She felt
that the had conquered! With spark
ling eyes she hurried to their apart
ment in the Roanoake,-and excitedly
poured out the details of the afternoon
to the impatiently waiting Mona. The
other girl hugged her impulsively at
the conclusion,, and for a moment the
two. stared silently into each other's
eyes. . , v '
"It is a risky game,, dear!" said
Mona wistfully. v
"But the goal is worth It!" returned
Mary resolutely. .
Three weeks passed three weeks
of varying incidents. Mona's flirtation
with Carlton, or young Daniels, as
their new friends knew him, was be
ginning to attract more than casual
attention,, and more than once Mona
caught the calculating eyes of Went
worth surveying them at the various
affairs, where they chanced to meet
In the meantime, Mary's acquaintship
with Reginald Wentworth was fait
approaching a degree of intimacy., It
wat apparent to the girl that the man
wat genuinely attracted to her, and
the topic of Mrs. Douglas, and the
supposed young wife's indiscretions
was discussed between them now with
a direct candor and speculation. But
there was a vague, indefinable ele
ment of distrust even yet in Went
worth's, manner, which the girl was at
a loss to understand until one evening
when the two motored out to a res
taurant on the outskirts of .the . city
for a Bohemian dinner. ,
During the . ride Wentworth care
lessly toyed with hit wallet, which he
had drawn from hit pocket to refer to
a memorandum it contained. Suddenly
he looked up at her, and tapping the
wallet tignificantly, taid: , Do you
know that itt contenti are almost
priceless to myself and a certain
very much worried lady of society?"
- Mary shook her head with a quiz
zical tmile.
"I dare tay that the lady in quettion
would redeem the half a dozen letter
in thit wallet for a thousand apiece-
and be grateful for the chance!"
The subject dropped, and it was not
until Wentworth received a tudden
telephone call during the course of the
dinner, and excused himself that the
conversation recurred to the girt.
There by hia plate was the wallet,
where in his haste he had forgotten
it! For a moment she hesitated, and
then her hand reached out stealthily
to appropriate it The instinct that
whispered her a swift warning she
could not have explained, but. she
drew back hurriedly, leaving the wal
let undisturbed. Wat it not possible
that Wentworth had laid a clever trap
to test her? It was inconceivable that
a man accustomed to living by his
wits, would be- careless enough to
leave' a $6,000 weapon of blackmail
conspicuously an a restaurant tablet
A moment later Wenworth sauntered
back, and his glance told Mary that
her suspicions had been justified.
With a low laugh he picked up the
wallet, and turning it inside out flung
it back. It was empty!
"Please accept my apologies for
doubting you!" he said in a low tone.
"But I couldn't afford to take a chance
and if we are tq play the game to
gether, i must oe absolutely certain
that we are going to do it on the
square!" '
Mary paled. How near she had been
to a hopeless, fatal betrayal!
When she rejoined Mona that night
her mind was definitely made up. She
would force the situation to a climax
without further delay. She saw now
that every, day -might hold fresh pit
falls and new dangers. Until almost
daybreak the two girls considered the
various elements of "the game, and
when they finally retired it was with
the decision to stage the last act of
their little drama that same night.
It was nearly noon when Mary
called up Wentworth at his apart
ments, and asked' hurriedly for an im-'
mediate interview. When he met her
an hour later she imparted to him the
intelligence that, Mrs. Douglas and
Carlton, alter the theater that night
were together in the former's apart
ment at the Roanoke.
'And I have a plan which I think
will give ut what we have been schem
ing for!" ended Mary enthusiastically.
ror eeveral momenta she spoke swift
ly and nervously, and at the end
Wentworth caught her. hand enthusi
astically. -.'.,
"Splendid r he cried, "I'll be ready
when you are!" The die was cast! For
just a moment Mary heiitated, and
then she straightened her shoulders
bravely. It waa too late now to draw
back.
It was just before 11 o'clock that
night when the telephone in the apart
ment of Mary and Mona announced
the arrival of Wentworth in the lobby.
Mary asked him to come up at once.
She was alone. Mona -had left for a
theater with Carleton shortly after a
7 o'clock dinner, leaving Mary to put
the finishing touches to the last act
they had planned in their little drama.
She receivedWentworth at the door,
and with a show of secrecy, conducted
him through the living room into an
inner bed room.
Wentworth glanced around him cu
riously, and his eyes lighted as he
noted a camera, and flash light ap
paratus, already in position, and
trained on the living room.
"All that we need now is to wait
until she and Daniels are seated at
their tete-a-tete tupper and :then
light the powder. The camera will do
the rest!" chuckled Mary in apparent
giee. M".-vr-, .1, . ,
"And we will tell the 'olate to -this
highest bidder!" taid Wentworth with
a grimness which showed that he at
least was in deadly earnest
"Hush I" cautioned Mary suddenly,
catching his arm. as a kev turned in
the; ball lock. The next moment Mona
and Carlton entered the suite, and
the latter removed hit companion's
wraps witn a snow ot tenderness,
vhich made Wentworth smile again in.
anticipation. A tempting lunch of cola
viands had already been set on a tablef
Carlton tooH the seat which Mona in
dicated and edged his chair closer to
her, as she inspected the articles of
the menu. JN either nad giancea lowara
thevbed room.
1,1 L! I ,
INOWl twnispcreu iury.
Wentworth toftlv struck a match
and dropped it into the powder, aj
Mary nung asiae ine ncavjr Mytsurca,
screening the entrance to the living
room. The bright flash of the powder
mingled with a ,cry of fright from
Vfntia and WntwArtll llftDOed intO
the outer room, smiling cynically. But
his smile was suddenly irozen.
Carlton was facing him with s
drawn revolver. 1
Hands up! snapped the young
actorN
Wentworth whirled about to con
front a second revolver in the hand
of Mary. The girl laughed at the
scowl of rage on hit face. ' '
"Caught with the goods!" the
mocked. .-...
Wentworth bit hit lip. glancing cov
ertly around him in an effort to meas
ure his chances of escape. But he was
shrewd enough to realize that the trap js
was secure.
"You devil!" he growled at Mary
laughed again.
"That will do!" commanded Carl
ton. "The game'a up. We've got you
fair, and we mean to hold you! We
know your connection with The Tat
tler, and your own judgment must tell
you that we have evidence enough of
your blackmailing methods to send
you to prison for more years than you
would proDably care to reckon)
"What do you want?" glowered
Wentworth.
"First Those letters of Mr. Bur
ton, and next your promise to put The .
Tattler out of business and remove
yourself from this vicinity."
"Which means, of course, immunity
from the law?" sneered Wentworth.
"Not quite!" It waa Mary who .
spoke. "You are forgetting the ex
penses of the case and the money
you have made us spend to get you
where we wanted you! I think five
thousand would about cover it You
can give us a check. I think we can
take it for granted that you won't stop
payment!" i
Wentworth swore, clenched his
hands as though meditating a bolt for
it and then bowed ironically.
"You win with my compliments!"
Mona stepped to the telephone and
ordered a taxicab.
"We may as well wind up the busi
ness in hand now. We'll accompany
you to The Tattler sanctum if you
don't mind."
"As you will," said Wentworth in-
The quartet descended by way of
the elevator, Carlton keeping his re
volver in , his outer coat pocket, with
the muzzle protruding through the
cloth at an angle, which dissipated anv
Hhought of a rush for liberty, which
wentwortn might have entertained.
Twenty minutes later they were in
the dingy, paper-littered office, in
which the questionable activities of
The.Tattler were conducted. . .
Wentworth stepped to a safe in the
corner, spun the knob and tossed a
thin packet of letter on the table.
(Tlw End.) , . :
rnoomfortabl Honors.
In lit! in tntlmato friend of Mr. Lin
coln vtiltttd him In Waahtnrton, flndln
htm rather dopreend In iplrlts ai the re'
eult of the reverse! repeatedly suffered by
the federal troop.
"ThU being president Isn't all It Is tup
posed to be. Is It, Mr. Lincoln?" asked the
visitor.
"No," Dished Lincoln x with twinkling
eyes; "I feel liko the Irishman who after
being ridden on a rail said: 'If It wasn't
for the honor av th' thing I'd rather
walk.' "Country Gentleman.
AUCTION SALE
Kountze Place Homes
; ; The following properties will be sold at auc
tion to the highest bidders for cash on Saturday
morning, June 24th, at 10 a. m. It is absolutely
necessary to sell these properties at once, as plans
have been completed for the erection of a $50,
000.00 building for the Old People's Home, and,
. while properties offered at this sale were be
' queathed to the Old People's Hbme Association
for that purpose, the ground space was found to be
. too small, and subsequently a larger tract was do
nated to the Home by George A. Joslyn and wife.
, . 2018 Wirt Street. v
8-roora frame house, all modern with good
; barn (or garage) in rear. " The house could not be
duplicated for $4,000. Lot 50x124, is easily worth
$1,500.' Beautiful shade trees in front.
; ; 2016 Wirt Street.
v : A 9-room, all modern, brick residence, to
gether with brick barn (or garage) and frame gar
age with quarters above for. chauffeur. Fine
: cement driveway up to garage; House is finished
in the finest hardwoods obtainable. Rooms are
large, sunny and well arranged. Improvements
cost at least $25;000 and lot is 75x124 on paved
street, paving all paid. : v . -
Lot 50x124.
. Just east of the above described brick house,
and covered with all kinds of shrubbery-and beau
. tiful trees; easily worth $1,5Q0. . . . . ,
Remember, the. sale takes place Saturday
, morning, June 24th, at 10 a. m. .Terms, $250 de
posit at date of sale; remainder cash on delivery
of abstract, showing merchantable title and war-'
ranty deed. For further information call, , -
- Old Peoples Home Association'
MRS. E. R. HUME, Chairman Building Committee
. ,. Walnut 3307.