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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 9, 1916)
4 C TTIK OMAHA SUNDAY BEE : JULY 9, 1916. The Social Pirates -:- Plot by George Bronson Howard Novelization by Hugh C. Weir Copyright Kalem Company Story No, 14- The Music Swindler A look of ssdncsj tinged 111 hand-1 some iee of l aspcr t arson. Hit young millionaire social worker and i philanthropist, as he paus-eil under I the flickering ravs of the corner street light. ! "Are you satisfied uith your I glimpse of the slums at night?" he J asked Mona Hartley, who. with Mary ! Burnett, had heen making a tour of the sordid streets after dark in !u watchful care. "Of course, I am not satisfied I" she cried impetuously. "Isn't it pos sible to do anything to change all this?" "How would yoti change it?" re turned Carson rather bitterly. "1 given three years and half of my for tune to a study of civic conditions, and I am beginning to think that 1 am going backwards instead of for ward! You have got to change con ditions like this from the inside out not from the outside in. You have got to deal with the individual rather than with the mass. You have got " He broke off his comments with a little cry, and swinging about, raised his voice in a hail to a tall, well set up young man, who had just rounded the opposite corner. The other stared in the direction of the call, his attitude showing amarcment as he recognized ( arson. Then with a swinging stride he crossed the street. "What in the name of Heaven brings you here? he demanded. "1 want you to meet two young ( friends of mine, said Carson smil ing at the other's dubious expression. "Miss Burnett mid Miss Hartley, allow me to present my good friend, Rodney Grant of "The Star," Mr. Grant is one of the most fearless and capable newspaper reporters I have ever known and I have had experi ence with a good many I" "Forget iti laughed Grant, ahak ing hands with the two girls, but still unable to cover his surprise, and studying them shrewdly. The young women dressed for the occasion in rough suits, and hats, which might have fooled a casual passer-by, hut which only accentuated their refine ment to a close observer. "Miss Hartley and Miss Burnett arc much interested in practical so ciology," explained Carson and have been studying the slums at night under my guidance and protection. If you could persuade them to talk old man, you would have some thrill ing stories for "The Star' of their experiences. Won't you join us?" "Delighted," said Grant, "if you don't mind waiting until I call the office." The girls waited while the men went to telephone. For i few moments the two girls surveyed Uie night scene before them, their attention mainly directed to ward the gaudy restaurant scross the street It was Mona who saw first the hesitating young woman, with the white, pinched face, who had paused before the restaurant and stood peeering fearfuly in through the window. The young woman before the res taurant drew out a coin from a frayed purse in her hand, made a movement as though to pass through the door way of the cafe, and then drew back with a shudder. With the coin still clutched in her hand she passed quick ly down the street, entered a drug store and exchanged the coin for a phial of something. Mona and Mary following and watching her. The girl entered a small park and was raising the phial to her lips when Mona caught and held her hand. The un mistakable odor of carbolic acid floated up into Mona's face. The young woman on the bench straggled desperately, but the next instant Mona hd wrenched the phial away and dashed it onto the ground. "Now," she said soothingly, if you will tell me what it is all about, maybe I can help youl" "Help me!" echoed the young wom an with a bitter little laugh. "You are a nice one to talk about helping me when you took the only way out of it all away from mel On, why did you do it? Why didnt you let me take the chance when I had it? Now " she held out her empty purse, and broke into an hysterical laugh. Mona dropped onto the bench at her side. "It is always blackest just before dawn! I know that it is easy enough to tell you that and that you proba bly won't believe it. But if you can persuade yourself to tell me your story I will promise that if I cannot offer a definite way of help to you I will buy another bottle of acid for you without a word!" "Y'ou really mean it?" For a mo ment the young woman sat studying the faces of the two girls, half-revealed in the uncertain rays of the park lights. "I'l chance it!" she de cided abruptly. "I can't be worse off than I am now. That is one conso lation!" She plunged into her story nerv ously. "My name is Winnie Andrews. Oh, I am a good girl what you would call a good girl! Maybe, it would be better for me if I wasn't. I have been foolish, never bad. I was foolish enough to think I had a voice, that I could sing and I was more foolish when I believed a man who told me I was right, that I would some day be a second Melbal My home was in Ohio. There is no need to tell you the name of the town. One day I saw in a newspaper the advertise ment of a concern, calling itself 'The Twentieth Century Vocal Academy of New York City.' It seemed to offer just the courses of instruction which I thought I needed, and I persuaded my father to .draw his savings from the bank to pay my ex penses. With the money I came to New York and met the head of the music school, a man who gave the name of Professor Alonzo Herrman. He tested my voice, or at least pre tended to do so, and said that there was no doubt of my success as an opera singer if I took "his course of instruction. "I stayed at the school for several months, and then my father came on to see me. Professor Herrman talked so enthusiastically about my future that we decided it would be safe to mortgage our home for enough money to finish my schooling. The professor introduced V to a man, calling himself a money-lender, who advanced as (mall sum on our prop erty, taking mortgage as security. Several months more passed. I was becoming vaguely uneay as Proles-1 sor Herrmann inMnirlion slunveil no resiills. lull it was not until 1 re ceived word tli.il niy lather "as ill. that 1 1'ivainc l rally alarmed I went to Professor Heiililall ami aski'il him if lie could not secure me some kind of m position where I could cam ( money wnh niv voice, enough money ; to take care of mv father, hut lie j only laughed in my face, and called : me an easv inaik 1 1 guess he saw that he had gotten about all the I money possible out ot us, and thai , the tune had come to disillusion me. I The tiett week they foreclosed the mortgage on our home, and the shock killed my father! Since then I have been Irving desperately to get work, any kind of woik. (if course, 1 have lost all my wonderful dreams about my voice. 1 have been willing to do anything, but the harder I tried to find a place the worse things seemed . - ..I . i i....... I 1....I hi gri imiii M'lUK'U mun i nail come to inc run oi i(ne rope, i nan a solitary quarter lett, 1 stopped at a restaurant, wondering whether to .spend the ni.ulrr tor food -or poi son I 1 decided on the poison - and then you came!" nunc Andrews slared vacantly into the shadows as she finished her pathetic story, and lor a 4rv moments Mona and M.uy revolved dier narra ! live silently. It was Mona who j spoke at last. "I am glad we have found you - you poor dear! Not only for your own sake, hut for the sake of hun dreds of other girls, who probably have been victunued in the same way. I have heard a good deal about the so-called 'fake music schools,' but this is my first definite knowledge ol them. It is high time that the T wen tieth Century Vocal academy and 1'ro- Icrros Alonzo Herrman were nut out of business!" Winnie Andrews gazed at her won deringly just as Carson and Grant appeared. They discussed the girl's plight and decided to work out sonic plan of saving the girl and breaking Herrman. Mona and Mary took 1 1 i e girl to their home. 1 lie next morning Mary appeared at llerrman's studio. "I I have called to see whether it would be possible for me to he enrolled as one of your students?" she hesitated bashfully. The professor smiled and rubbed his hands. "We are always looking for prom ising students." 11c looked at her again appraisingly. "Have you had vocal lessons before?" Mary shook her head. "No - but I have been told so often that I have a remarkable voice, and that it ought to be developed that 1 would like to have the opinion of an expert like yourself." "JusJ sol Just so! You are acting wisely. It will he a pleasure to test your tone qualities and inflections. Miss Roberts. If you will follow me, I will take you to our private con servatory and will do myself the pleasure of examining your possibil ities myself, rather than entrusting you to an assistant." Professor Herrman closed the door, twirled the piano stool with a flourish, and seating himself at the instrument, asked Mary if she had any favorite piece of music that she would like to sing. The girl named a popular melody at random, and the professor rattled off the refrain, play ing with the exaggerated flourish of a vaudeville "artist." Mary sang through the opening verse and the chorus. She was quite well aware that nature had not given her a "voice," and that the most expert teaching in the world could never have developed any vocal ability from her. But she sang with all the eager ness and trepidation, which she imag ined a young woman, hoping for a musical career, would display. When she finished, the professor swung round on his stool and again rubbed his hands. (1 "Marvelous! Marvelous!" he cried. Permit me to congratulate you, mv dear young lady I Assuredly vou have a tremendous future before you! I .ii see great creait to us trom votir enrollment as a student! Yes, lean see that you have done wisely, very i wisely in coming to us! Atter the necessary arrangements regarding money, etc., Mary departed. ijeveral days after she had heen given her first lesson, Mary felt it safe enough to venture on a more inti mate footing with Herrman. As they were concluding their "lessons." she said in a sudden burst fit confidence. It 1 only had the money I had a year ago, I could organize mv own opera company, and win fame easily!" As the prolesor expressed his sym pathy, she explained that her father had been swindled of a large fortune by two unscrupulous speculators, who had visited her home town, and that she had sudenly found herself thrown on the world, with the necessity of making her own living instead of looking forward to a life of ease and luxury. She dropped the subject ab ruptly, as though unable to endure the biter memories which it called up. Two days later, however, she re turned to it excitedly. "What do you think has happened today, professor?" she asked. "I am sure I have no idea," was the sympathetic answer. "Tell me!" "You remember -the storv I was telling you of the two swindlers who had stolen my father's fortune?" ' Certainly! They ought to be put behind the bars!" "Well, they are in town now, and they have brought with them a girl, who used to be my dearest friend, Hattie Gordon. Hattie thinks she can sing, and they seem to think so, too, for they have told her that they will finance a theatrical company and star her! When she telephoned me this morning, and told me of what they were doing, I could hardly hold my self! Of course, they are using my father's money, the money which ought to be mine, to do it with! The scoundrels!" Mary saw the professor's eyes glisten, and even before he spoke she knew that he had fallen into her trap. He drew closer to her, and lowered his voice confidentially. "Do you want to get back your money and at the same time give your father's swindlers a sample of their own methods?" Mary nodded excitedly. "Oh. if I only could but that is impossible!" "Not at all if you go about it the right way I I think that I can be of real assistance to you, if you want to join force with me." "Of course, I do! I think you are i the most wonderful man 1 have ever known!" Mary looked up at him ad uiiringly, and the proiessor drew even closer. ! "l et me tell you what to do then 1 liet your gill fiiend on the telephone.1 ami tell on thai you have found a; manager, who is much interested in I her plans, ami that you will introduce her to him. Tell her she can bling her friends with her. if she wishes." "But I don't know any nianager," protested Mary. "( If course, you don't, but I do and he is just the man for our pur pose." The girl studied his words for a moment in a pretended puzzled silence, and then looked up with a smile nf understanding. "I think I see now what you mean. She drew a long breath. "I'll do it. I'll get Hattie on the 'phone now," A meeting was arranged for the morrow. t J o'clock, Mona, in company willi ( asper ( arson ami Rodney Grant, who were to act the roles of the two clever .swindlers, slopped be fore the apaitnicut building where the Vocal Academy had established itself, and a few minutes later the trio were ushered ii to the office of the princi pal, flernnan was awaiting them with his hlanilesi and most professional smile, and with him was a sti auger, whom lie duly presented as "Mr. James I'elers. of whom you have heard, of course." "And now." began the professor, plunging into the object of the busi ness without delay, "! understand that Miss Gordon possesses much ability as a singer and actress, ami that she is desirous of obtaining an opportunity to be brought before the public in the right way, and under the right management." ( arson nodded, "Any .suggestion which my friend, Mr. I'cters may make, will be wortli listening to." answered the professor gravely. The theatrical "manager" removed his black cigar, and surveyed Mona deliberately, as though study ing her face and figure reflectively. "I can offer you the most attrac tive proposition, which it has ever been ill my power to present to any one." he began. "Hut I will tell you al once that it means quick action. I am not Ihe kind of man to do busi ness on promises. From what the professor tells me of Miss Roberts, she should make a real star. But she must have the right kind of play, and the proper backing. I have just the sort of vehicle that will fit her, but it means $10,0(10 in cold cash! If you gentlemen are ready to talk busi ness, all right. If not, we had bet ter have an understanding at once before any of us waste time." Carson waved his hand carelessly. "We are in a position to put up $10,000 in ten minutes' notice, Mr. Pe ters. But you have got to convince me that we are going to have some thing for our money. I am ready to be convinced and prepared to act just as soon as you convince me!" "T hen you are the man I am look ing for," Mr. Peters said. "We will put up the $10,000. Mr. Pe ters, just as soon as you produce the contract and guarantee. Is that sat isfactory?" The professor hastily turned to his desk to hide his smile of elation, as Peters nodded and held out his hand. "That goes! I will notify you within twenty-four hours where and when we can meet to close arrangements." lie rose to his feet. "Glad to have met you all! I can only say that you have done a good piece of business, a very good piece of business, not only for the young lady, but for your selves!" He bowed himself out. anil a mo ment later Carson, Grant and Mona also took their departure, the profes sor accompanying them to the eleva tor and waving his hand genially to them as they descended. From the inner room Mary had heard the en tire interview and smiled delighted ly to herself as she saw the progress which was being made. She was on the point of opening the door and stepping into Herrman s office when the hall door was pushed open, and Mona stepped in hreathlessly. Herr man at his desk'turned in surprise as Mona made her way to his side and slipped a note into his hand. Her face was flushed and she was breath ing quickly. "1 want to get better acquainted with you!" she confided, looking up into his face with a glance that melt ed any suspicions which Herrman might have entertained. "Can't you call? I have written down my ad dress for you. I am so lonesome by myself in this big city that 1 would love to have you come and see me." "Of course. I'll come with pleas ure!" promised Herrman. beaming. "But don't let Miss Roberts knowj I have asked you. said Mona hur riedly, calling Mary by the name un der which the other had registered.. "She is a little cat when she sees that men prefer me to her. And you do, don't you?" The professor's smile deepened. "Of course, I do I How could 1 think oth erwise?" Mona flashed him an answering smile and the door was just closing behind her when Mary entered the office from the adjoining room. With out a word she stepped across to Herrman and held out her hand. "(iive me that note!" she demanded, "What note?'' evaded Herrman un easily, and Mary snatched it away, her eyes Hashing. "I thought that yoti were my friends!" she said cuttingly. "I am!" protested Herrman. "You are jumping at conclusions, my dear yuung woman! You are the most re inarkahle girl I have ever met!" He rose from his rhair and tried to 'put his arm around her waist, hut Mary cleverly evaded him. "Then you will have to prove it!" she returned icily. "I didn't bring that girl here for you to make love to! I want you to understand that, and get it straight! It is a strictly business proposition. .And I want you to keep it on that basis!" "Of course, I shall, my dear!" Herr man looked properly crestfallen and humble. Mary looked at him, opened her lips as though to speak again and, then, without another word, stepped into the hall slamming the door be hind her. Her eyes were twinkling when the elevator answered her sum mons. She could picture the profes sor pacing the floor of his office un easily, debating the best course to fol low under the embarrassing circum stances. Mary had hardly rejoined Mona in their flat when the telephone shrilled abruptly. Mona stepped to the in strument, laughing. "Who wants to wager that it isn'f Ilerrman?" She took down the re ceiver and motioned Mary and Win nie Andrews to come closer. "How are you, professor?" she called sweetly. "It is so good of you to remember me so soon! What is that? Will I be at home this even ing? Of course! Yes, indeed, I shall be glad to see you!" She hung back the received and hurst into a paroxysm of merriment. "He will be here at 8. Y'ou will have to leave the coast clear, Mary. Let me see you gave him your ad dress, didn't you!" "1 told him 1 lived in the suburbs. But I think I will call on you tonight, if you don't mind, dear?" "Fine! Give me half an hour with him and I will guarantee to arrange as pretty a tableau as you ever saw !" I he girls hurried through their din ner and Mary and Winnie Andrews made their way to the street to watch for the coming of Herrman, while Mona proceeded to make an elaborate toilet for the event. The professor was on time and flushed with pleas ure and conceit at the warmth of Mona's greeting. The girl told him demurely that her "aunt" was calling on friends and that they were alone. She was an adept in the arts of the coquette and aided by soft candle lights and the sentimental music, which the Professor was drumming out of the piano, it was not long be fore Herrman showed that his con quest was complete. He was bending over her on a cor ner divan when the hall door opened softly and Mary burst into the room with an exaggerated cry of welcome to Mona. Then she paused as she recognized Herrman. The professor stepped forward hastily, holding out his hand to her tenderly, but she ignored it. "I did not know that you had com pany, Miss Gordon!" she said icily. "I bid you good night I" With her head held high and her eyes flashing she strode from the room leaving the discomfited profes sor starring after her stupidly. In the corridor outside she seized Winnie Andrews' arm and hurried to the street. "I want a taxicab quick!" The pro fessor will naturally think that I have gone to his office to wait fpr him, and have an accounting of his actions and he will follow me there as soon as he can get away! You tell Mona where I have gone and tell her 1 will 'phone her!" She sprang into a machine waiting at the corner and waved her hand jauntily. If her calculations were cor rect she saw a daring way by which she could force issues that very night! If Herrman was still unsuspicious of the trap into which he was being led she was confident that he would do anything, promise anything, rather than have the situation spoiled and thus lose the chance for the $10,000 for the make-believe opera company. It all depended on how thoroughly they had hoodwinked him! Mary made her way to the rooms of the Vocal academy, which she knew were kept open until 10 o'clock. and let herself into Herrman s pri vate office. She did not have long to wait. In less than half an hour she heard a step outside and the Moor opened to admit the professor. He breathed an obvious sigh of relief as he saw her figure waiting. "I had hoped you would bhere, my dear young friend! I have come to explain to you certain things which I fear may have deceived you!" "There is no need of explanations!" said Mary curtly, rising. "I wasn't born yesterday, although I may ap pear innocent to you! I have decided that this affair has gone quite far enough. I was only waiting for you to come so that I could tell you to your face! I am going to explain the whole game to Miss Gordon and let her see for herself just what kind of a scoundrel you really are!" I The strode over to the desk and picked up the telephone. I It n man caught her arm pleadingly. "You are hasty!" he protested. "Think what you are doing! Think of the share you arc going to have fori yourself from the $H.iHKt. which is just as good as in our hands now !" "1 don't want the money! I am not going to let you put it over me and j take up witli that little hussy!" stormed Mary. "We are wasting time ! talking! Besides, what assurance have I got that you wouldn't trick me out of the money just as you have I been playing with me before?" i "I give you my word!" said Hcrr-J man eagerly. ' Mary shook her hand. "There is only one think I will do! I am going to get out of the whole matter to-J night 1 If you want to pay me $5,000 j for mv share 1 will let the girl go and keep still! Otherwise, I shall have the satisfaction of telling her the facts!" Herrman drew back, shaking his head, and Mary calmly gave the num ber of their flat to the exchange oper ator. Il was enough. Herrman drew out a check book and suddenly wrote out an order for $5,000. Mary hung back the receiver and Herrman iireatneu easny onec more. I will wait here, she said, while you have this cashed. I prefer the money !" , "You won't get the money," growled Herrman. "Y'ou can take the check or nothing!" Mary shrugged her shoulders and turned again to the 'phone. Herr man hesitated and growling out a curt order for her to wait, jammed his hat on his head and strode into the hall. Mary waited until the door slammed behind him and dropped into a chair, almost exhausted by the ten sion of the scene. She had won tar easier than she had expected. Hr tunatcly for her she was not permit ted to look into the future and see what the next hour held in store for her! Back to the girls' flat, Mona, at. about the same time, was relating gleefully to a little audience, con sisting of Carson, Grant and Winnie Andrews, the details of Herrman's visit and Mary's spectacular intrusion. Carson listened to her story with an unusual gravity. "You don't seem as enthusiastic as I expected you to be I" the girl cried suddenly, looking up at him. Carson shook his head. "I find that man, Herrman, is a dangerous char acterthe kind that would stop at nothing to save himself if he fancied himself in a tight corner. Besides " He broke off suddenly, and stealing to the hall door of the flat, suddenly threw it open. A crouching man out side was almost precipitated into the room, and the next moment Carson had fastened his hand into the oth er's collar and yanked him to his feet. Mona repressed a cry as she saw that the intruder was none other than the so-called theatrical "manager," whom Herrman had presented to them earlier in the day. There was an other cry of recognition this time from Winnie Andrews. "You villain!" burst from the girl, impulsively springing toward him. "He is the scoundrel who posed as a mon ey lender, and killed my poor father!" she cried. Carson compressed his lips grimly, and dragged the man across the room to an inner bedroom, into which he thrust him and locked the door. Without a word he sprang to the telephone and called the office of the Twentieth Century Vocal Academy. A moment later Mary's voice greeted him over the wire, and he was explaining what had happened. In return, the girl told briefly of her interview with Herrman and its re sult. "If you can hold the man for half an hour," she finished, "it will give me time to finish. Do you think you can do it?" "We can hold him all night!" said Carson, but he was mistaken. When he opened the bedroom door he sprang into the room with a cry of dismay. T,he window was open and, as he reached it, he was just in time to see the prisoner leap from the fire escape to the ground below, and disappear into the darkness. Carson darted back to the telephone and again called the number of the Vocal Acadamy, but there was no answer. Frantically he importuned the central exchange to find what was wrong. In the meantime, Mary, , awaiting the professor's return, in Herrman's private office, was engaged in one of the most exciting experiences of her life. It was not due to a defective connection that Carson's second call failed of an answer, for the girl heard the hell, and had even taken the re ceived from the hook to reply when she was held rigid with terror. The door had burst open, and the figure of Herrman's accomplice, the pseudo theatrical "manager," darted toward her. She dropped the receiver, and was, backing away from the desk, when her glance fell upon an open drawer. j in which was a revolver. Desperately I she snatched it, and leveled it toward the advancing man just as his arms i closed fiendishly about her. She felt j herself swaying, and then her finger pressed the trigger of the weapon, and she sank to the floor. It was this shot, echoing dully over the on wire, which greeted I asper ( arson, hack in the flat, as he tried in vain to establish a response from llerrinan's office. With a groan he dashed toward the door, calling to the others lo follow him. What had happened? He knew Herrman's rec ord well enough now to be convinced that the man would not stop even at murder, flad the other, in a burs! ot rage and teiror, killed the girl who had tricked llilll? In the offices of Herrman, Mary Rurnett lay motionless on the floor, her white face upturned to the light. The man. bending over her. sprang back with a gasp of mortal terror. In his eyes was the look of a hunted animal at the thought that the woman at bis feet might be dead. Crushing his hat down on his head, he darted out of the door. Icaing the motion less gir! behind him. As the dqor hanged shut, Mary raised herself dii'y on an elbow, and surveyed her surroundings. She had not been shot hut had collapsed under the nervous shock of the sit uation. Now she caught hold of the desk and managed to scramble uncer tainly to her feet as the door opened again and Prof. Herrman walked in. For a second, the girl thought that he, too, had learned of the trap, but ; she was mistaken. With a snarl, Herinian tossed a bundle of bank notes onto the desk, j Mary tucked them into her hand i bag. and on a sudden thought, drew 'a pad of paper toward her and scrih : bled a receipt. The man took it with , a sneer. Het'ore he could decipher its ; contents, she walked to the door, and pressed the elevator button. Two ' minutes later she was in the street i and in the arms of Mona. who was the first of ( asper ( arson's rescue party to spring from the taxicab that : had paused outside the building. Mary ; disengaged herself from the other's , embrace and. reaching into her hand-bag. extended the bundle of ( bank notes to Winnie Andrews. ' "I think this money is rightfully yours, dear!" : 1 I 1'ivtairs in his office, Prof. Herr- ' man had just finished reading the fol- lowing receipt : ( " Thanks for the return of the five thousand dollars you swindled Miss , Winnie Andrews out of! You will be j overjoyed to know, too, that the wo man upon whom you were calling to- I night is also my accomplice. Cjil! ; again: v e sn.iu an ne waiting you with open arms and an office Herrman slowly crumpled the pa in his hand, and smothered an oa Kven oaths would not do justice i his emotions! HOLLANDS STRENGTH Thirteen Hundred Thotit-Riid Men and Women Could Be Enlisted for Defense of Country. TO TRAIN YOUTH OF COUNTRY (Corr.npondrK'n nf the Associated Press.) The Hague, Netherlands, May 20. An army of 1,300,000 men as Hol land's military strength in any future European struggle is the prepared ness program of the Yolksweerhaar heid, or National Defense association, which enjoys a state subsidy and has 140 branches, and nearly 14,000 mem bers. Under this program every able bodied man and woman would he en listed for the country's defense; there would be universal service in stead of the limited compulsory sys tem which now obtains. The associa tion is convinced that "freedom and independence can be assured only when all who are able, conscious of their duty, prepare themselves in service in the country's defense forces with a view, in case of necessity, to being able to defend those most sa cred possessions of the nation." Compulsory Training. The concrete scheme of the asso ciation takes the form of general com pulsory training, with limited repeti tion training and service, and local and provincial training and organiza tion. Starting out from the principle that the basis of all defense must be the forming of a powerful race, the program would provide physical ex ercise in the schools, and subsequent preparatory training of the youth of the country. After this, the time actu ally spent in the ranks would be com paratively short, the association argues, citing what has been seen in that respect in the present war. Only a few of the large levies thus obtained would suffice to form the field army. Thence the men would pass out into the local troops terri torial defense forces. These latter would be so organized that, together with the strong localized frontier and coast guards, they could be ready to take the field in a few hours. Summary of Forces. While the local troops would, in the first place, serve for defense, the field army would be destined for of fensive operations. The two together would form a force of about 800,000 men, fully trained, while there would still be a reserve in the depots of more than 500.000 men, making up the total of 1,300,000 mentioned. Summarized, this new national army would be constituted as follows; Frontier and coastal troops, 134,500 men; field army, 107,000; position ! troops, 15.500; marine. 5.000; local I troops. 534.500; total, 7,500 men. I Reserve: Local reserve, first ban, 400.000 men; second ban, 170,00(1 men; total, 570,000 men. With such an army', which is repre sented as quite feasible, the old axi omatic principle of retiring behind the famous Dutch "water line" might be abandoned and positions taken up immediately behind the frontiers, the association points out. Support is Given. 1 The basic idea of the program is j said to enjoy wide sympathy and sup- port, and the plan is expected to I conic uji for serious consideration in j one form or another wdien the present crisis is past. In a talk with the correspondent of t The Associated Press, the secretary ' of the association laid special stress' ton the fact that women must also be I organized and trained to co-operate, j presumably largely in Red Cross I work. a . ; , -parr irom us propaganda activity nes, me isauonarueiense association nas oecn instrumental in raising nearly 10,000 volunteer Landsturm troops to reinforce the mobilized army. Japanese Women Are Being Emancipated By Factory Rules (Correspondence of Th Associated Press.) Tokio. June 1. Japan's new factory law. effective June 1, marks the first step in the emancipation of women employes in Japan. From 00 to 70 per cent of the fac tory workers in Japan arc women. Raw silk, cotton, yarn, fabrics, tea, matches, towels and straw braids, which bold an important position in Japan's export trade", pass through their hands. They seldom make com plaints ajid have never gone on strike. About a million workers will be affected by the new regulations. The law prohibits the employment of juvenile workers under the age of 12 in anv heavy and laborious work, of males under 15 and females of any age more than twelve hours a day, or between 10 p. m. and 4 a. m., except on exceptional cases, and provides the granting ot at least two holidays month. It is forbidden to employ boys un der 15 or wo-nen for such work as cleaning, oili r repairing of ma chinery in no. ion or in such danger ous work as the handling of poisonous or other dangerous material, or when the work is harmful to health. Monetary relief in case of accident through no fault of the operative is also provided. CREDIT It is good to have money and the things that money can buy; but it is good also to check up and find out whether you are missing some of the things that CREDIT can buy. Your credit every honest per son's credit is good with Loftis Bros. & Co. No red tape to go through no embarrassing details. Open a Charge Account With Loftis Bros. & Co. just arrange to pay in small amounts weekly or monthly as suits your convenience. Open daily until 8 p. m. Saturday till 9:30. Call or write for catalog No. 903. Phone Domrlas 1444 and our salesman will call with article desired. 17 JEWEL ELGIN WATCH $4 V75 $t iJStn lift 12 No. I Men's Watch. Elgin, Waltharo or Hampden movement in 26-ytar u aranteed double strata sold filled case. Only $12.75 tl a Month. The Old Reliable, Original Diamond and Watch Credit House. RDftt t. f fl Mta Floor, City National Bank Block, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha. DfYUOVUA IBS! Ooooslte Bursess-Nash Co. DeDartmmt Stor.. I0FTS Ea K Throw Away Your Eyeglasses Prominent Eye Specialist on the Witness Stand Swears He is Taking Glasses From Patients Every Day Cyastfht Stranfthanvd 80 In On WcvaVt Tim ta Many InaUncM. Buffalo, N. T- fble tartltnff announce ment wilt sound the keynote of Joy to many who wear (Usee, and alee to thoee who have certain other eye trouble. In a recent trial In the United St a tee Court at Buffalo, one ot the moet prominent eye apeotallats In the elate of New York waa called aa an expert and testified that nearly every dy he took (leasee from aome of hie patient. One of the lawyers In the caee, who he.4 worn flense for twenty years, wee eo Im pressed with the testimony of this expert .that he decided to treat hla own eyes and see If he could ft rid of hla sjlaeeea. After a period of three weeks' treatment, much to his amasement, he laid them alde, and now does not feel the need of them. tne of Ms friends met him on the street aM iikH him what had brought about the .rhetif In hi appeeranre, as he lroki ten '9eers younger. "Getting rid of (lenses Is the cause of It," the lawyer answered When asked how ha had accomplished euch i surprising wonders, he said: "It fa a vary j , stmpte matter, eo simple, in fact, that any- i one can ioiiow me same method. Just tell them to go to any drug store and get a 1 tube of Bon-Opto. dleeolve one tablet tn a quarter glass of water, and bathe the ayes from three to four times dally. It can be firerared and used at heme. It Is abeolute y harmless, and the quick results U glvea la astonishing." Note: When tbs above article was skewn to arwatnent tfliy phnlclea. b said: Tea. Boa-Opt il truly a wonderful eye remedy. I kae used 11 rerr roceetefullr In my pmues en patients whose am were strained through over wort er uieftt tlesaee. I can htftili recountend It In cases of weak, water?. , aebiBf. emirUni. Itching, hurnuiK e.ts, red Uds. I Warred nalee, ere Inflamed treat exposure to smoke. sun. aufi or win a I The manufacturer have such cntindenee t B I Opte that they guarantee It will atrenttheD the eye- j 1 eight 60 par cent in ons week's tiwe la many ta-A i etaiiees. er tbey will rafimrl the tnenay. Since the ! eboe article has been published, the dementi fee i ! Ron-Opt has beat ee great that the Shereiea fj ' UeConnetl Drug Company stores la Oauaa hers keen tkaat bojtr lUlag eiders far IL 4 YEARS AT 1324 FARNAM ST. TEETH . t We Please Yon or Refund Your Money DR. McKENNEY SAYS: "I guarantee my work because I am willing in all cases to make it good, and because I know that it is worthy a guarantee. Beat Bilrer EA I Bast 22k Filling I Gold Crown $4 Wonder Plates worth 815 to $25. $5, $8 and $10 Heaviest Bridge ! Work, per tooth. . .W' Xonrai 8:30 A. K. to r. V. Wdafaa7e and attudsr Till tlOO 9. K. Hot Opes lutit. MciiEIMY DENTISTS 14TH AND FARNAM STS 1324 FARNAM STREET. Phone Dougliw 2872. NOTICE Out-of-town patroni can get Plates, Crowns, Bridges and Fillings Completed In One Day. Free No Student. Lad Attendants.