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Show jam ,,. ,, ie The Girl in the M Bl Ac he looked, he tried to saw the effort and Its failure, and CHAPTER XVI 21 ;. ELIZABETH JORDAS both. With a gesture of " ,nrie he turned his back hopelessness, toward them, and stood with usjbtt o' kn ,s,a" with reassuring muscles and eyes fixed on thesagging empty these, ow. Seeing grate. the Epstein's nerves snapped. -She had breath' For God's sake, Devon," he begged, jrir dPpwht with her, she "cut out the valts! Teli us tot to Ben" you got on your chest, and tell it quick Laurie turned and once more met .Lrlenced a sense of personal hls,eyea. Under the look Epstein's oblique eyes shifted. t -ITa ttnil nnt I'm going to," Laurie said y her eoiupa"'""the most horrible balf- and still in those new. flat quietly tones. that nn --That's why I've brought you here But It's a hard Jot. You lie had renaerea trouiu On voice her for such suffering. again lost its steadiness Tve got to hurt you all of you most awUer nana, ne nw back tO Af" I or, ns fully. And and that's the hardest . - ii.t R,ir,iv it was not for part of this business for me." n . h nin riner in which Doris, now staring up at him, told Cgill at herself that she could not endure done it Laurie was exhausted w"" moment of this tension. She showing h; t .u.i. . nt ber studio nis dared not glance at either of the oth- C did not change. He assisted Wc r.:r: . " see-'-hls- u" i- un-oth- .vi . . .. I t nnnntlllnllsTV MJVtrN elevator and left her to the to do," he lome telephoning nn W "I shall not leave inn r fat- wmi aod I expect io u i. in u. nhnnt fifteen minutes. mIU nomilsslon. I cm asking my Ljvu f tn inept me In roar stu- flvlliMVtwBangs and Jacob Epstein. I J have to ten musi ue ioiu iw nt vnn. and" his voice It in queer fashion "it Is a I donl want to ten more xnan May they come nere? nnrtt " idn. Then I'll wait for them here, and bring them up to your fewhen they come." the studio, with her door shut st the world, Doris again reso- took herself end her nerves in She summoned endless cxpla-- 9 nt Laurie's manner and an bee, explanations which, how- turn and twist them ns. she always left something nnex- .. ft w "There were only two things to do," he said doggedly. "One was to tell you three. Tve done that The other A realized, a strong was, she that he had forced the Shaw. But even the truth bility from make Laurie look and act Or would It? She tried to le It would. Anything would be Dot lhat the thing she feared. t minutes passed ten fifteen K. Save during the half-hou- r of return Journey from Sea Cliff, lad never known such dragging, rMea moments. A dozen times poled she heard the elevator t ber floor, and the sound of and footsteps A approach. limes, she went to her windows pMly eased out on the storm. As Jared, she prayed. It was the prayer, over and 'over. far God, please don't let it be layr The aspiration was the N she dared come to nuttlnz Into I the terror Hint cl,r,,.br ' "vi i. 11,71 lied! L. wnd fifteen minutes were nl- than she really heard Olllck fiintst-on- apwhen the on. there were no ihe three men. If thev were 15. wre coming in utter silence. had time to rap she had r l"e ao' and stood back to let I11' Stop. N her door, hut ry nouoi v.. riter. As thpv ftoto their faces., and as she ramlllar sense of panic, nmeasurably Intensified, again its grip. "sually the most punctilious """le on this occasion nn N extraordinary for hi 11a in Present his partners to their Ut not . niu of in L omission !tJ?J2r. - "iu it "'ethodlcallv a nearby chair, u on "Take it in," muttered Laurie. "Pull yourselves up to it I had to." An uncontrollable shudder ran over him. As if his nerve had suddenly given way, he dropped his head on his bent arm. For another interval Bangs stood staring at him In a stupefaction through which a slow tremor ran. "I- -I can't take It In," he stammered at last. "I know. That's the way I felt." Laurie spoke without raising his head. Bangs, watching him, saw him shudder again, saw that his legs were giving under him, and that he was literally holding to the mantel for support The sight steadied his own nerves. He pushed his chnlr forward, and with an arm across the other's shoulder, forced hlin down Into it "Then in God's name, why are we wasting time here?" he suddenly demanded. "Your car's outside. Fll drive you anywhere. We'll get out of the country. We'll travel at night and He low In the daytime. Pull yourself together, old man." Urgently, he grasped the other's shoulder. "We've got things to do." Laurie shook his head. He tried to smile. There was something horrible In the resulting grimace of his twisted mouth. L - Rodney still spoke in a loud sive voice, as If trying to awaken himself and the others from a nightmare, was to tell the district attorney. I've done that, too." Bangs recoiled as If from a physical blow. Epstein, who had slightly roused himself at the prospect of action, sank back Into a stunned, goggling silence. "Yes," Laurie was pulling himself together. "We're friends, you know, Perkins and I," he went on, more naturally. "I've seen a good deal of him lately. He will make it as easy as he can. He has taken my parole. Tve got till morning." He let them take that in. Then, very simply, he added, "I have promised to be In my rooms at eight o'clock." k Under this, like a goes down with the final stroke of the ax, Rodney Bangs collapsed. "My "My G d !" he muttered. G d!" He fell into the nearest chair and sat there, his head In his shaking tree-trun- "Sit Down," Ha the Ufa Had Said Wearily. Gone Out of All His Voice. ers, but she heard Epstein's heavy breathing and the creak of Kodney Bangs' chair as he suddenly changed his position. -He killed Herbert Shaw," she almost whispered. For a long moment there was utter silence In the room, through which the words Just spoken seemed to scurfy like living things, anxious to be out and away. Laurie, his eyes on the girl, showed no change in. his position, though a spasm crossed his face. Epstein, putting np one fat hand, feebly Beat the air with It as If trying to push back something that was approaching him, something intangible but terrible. Bangs alone seemed at last to bave taken In the full meaning of the curt announcement. As If it 'had galvanized him Into movement, he sprang to his feet and, head down, charged the situation. "What the devil is she. talking about?" he cried out "Laurie! ;What does she mean?" "She told you." Laurie spoke as quietly as before, but wiiiout looking up. "You mean It's true?" hands. As if the collapse of his friend were a call to his own strength, Laurie suddenly sat up and. took himself In hand. "Now listen," he said. "Let's take this sensibly. We've got to thresh out the situation, and here's our last chance. I want to make one thing clear. Shaw was pure vermin. There's no place for his sort In a decent world, end I have no more regret over over exterminating him than I would have over killing a snake. Later, Miss Mayo will tell you why." Under the effect of the clear, dispassionate voice, almost natural again, Epstein began to revive. he croaked "It vas idea as at the He caught eagerly. and obviously beif it were a life-lingan to drag himself out of a pit with he reits help. "It vas I s'pose. peated. "Ymj vim fighting. That lets you out" ' "No." Laurie dully explained, "he wasn't armed. I thought he was. I thought he was drawing some weapon. He hud used chloroform on me once e, Christmas Time Gay With Songs of Birds from the bottom of a Christmas in New Zealand has an whirr coming a loud and rasping note, throat, husky our .eyes wat'K him. the entirely different aspect from cane. Bellblrds, tuls and unmusical. Ka "nu -j of utterly time Is' the OIUeThere it Christmas. PNIIne to toll melodists on Christmas day, brain. ImHr C. " i,- iho, med he dared not tell it. He r time. The simin aZL hy WBS t niuch for his ; ZT "'truns, re" Iortn veil , J from a i - kuu. r,,v.i....iu.iie -vol's it demanded, ll lhhW y u gnt hat U'uJku S"y..you it .i... I . . fcrkM to we nR , sot into trouble? ve can't fix ."""nice, "I guess ve On.,, ' Mi 11 "ver the en, vot H, P ts " uvoiJ to Im-- . l Hta black. nIng 88 8atiu-- t uS:an?: P. fatted rewind Sftrl f 1 ' " eIICt Of nuinAlvui hb th.n:,TJ,Kln the rldi this tne. mantl. Uurie Wv m ' still ran. l of hi. fTJn. Their plumthe singing of birds. their ages at tills season are bright, sweet notes particularly singing In SepMany nests are completed tember and October, and In November they contain complements of eggs. who, Owls,, and ietrels are the waits apthe announce eve, on Christmas comproach of, Christmas day. The bird. mon morepork owl Is a forest Is boding, but few Us whoo-who- o ears, are Zealnnders' New to sounds, Some' petrels 'am" more pleasing. overhead at fly as they mockingly black as flight. The, black petrel as seems that note a Itself-has night a with deep whistle soft a to combine to call the The geographies do right lie K camel the "ship of the desert.' indeed, like a ship that pitch time. tosses and rolls, all at the same In a ttorm. Is put A little skeleton "howdah" leads master his while on his back, unfortuThe him by a long rope. nate passenger sits cross-leggetop ef the camera JdmerfX bone end endeavors to dapt movement to the rolling.. pitching makes many jcron seasick. dlspoaltlM. The camel has mean o quarrel with and Is always tryuig-tV"J?f the other camels In the end kicking them. gruntHig a general nuisvoct of Mmseu. Irt Will It Coma to This? Mistress of House (to prospective new maid) I think you'll do, and I'll engage you. one But dey's Maid Yassum. moab thing Ah wants to make sliuah of. Is dey anyone in de house who's learoln" de saxophone? Mistress Oh. yes; we are a very .and-th- e musical, family, and my ..husband Intwo boys are taking up that J' strument Maid Den stay. Mistress Riding a Camel d other from exquisitely tuned throats, send forth a wild bewildering carol, long before a church bell has climbed. jn Mfs What! a off. Don't Ah you cant like music? yes; Ah likes music all Dat's Jes It Tse learnln' de right kin saxophone mahself. sose Ah meplay all In de lodge bond, an' it busts house de Jn practicotbahs op to have hase to bave It ing all Ue time. Ah Ah practices. quiet where Mald-- Oh, X Beit Syetem of Education before, I was mistaken. But no Jury will believe that, of course," His voice changed and flatted again, nis young figure seemed to give In the chair, as If its muscles sagged under a new burden. For a moment he sat silent. "We may as well face all the facts," he went on. at last "Th mia thin I won't endure Is the horror of a trial." "But youH get off," choked Epstein. e "It's it's It's " "Or a brain storm, or temporary !" Laurie interrupted. "No, old chap, that lsnt good enough. No And I'm not gopadded cell for me ing to have my name dragged through the courts and the case figuring in the newspapers for months. I've got a reason I think you will all admit Is a good one." Again his voice changed. "That would break my sister's heart," he ended brokenly. At the words Bungs uttered au odd sound, half a gasp and half a groan. Epstein, again In his pit of wretchedness, caught It "Now you see the Job ve've doner he muttered. "Now you see how ve looked after hlra, like she told us to ! Bangs paid no attention to htm, "WThat are you going to dor he heavily asked Laurie. "I'll tell you, on one conditio- nthat you give me your word, all three of you, not to try In any way to interfere or to prevent It. Tou couldn't, anyway, so don't make the blunder ot xou anow wnat I'm up trying. against. There's only one way out He looked at them In turn. Doris and Epstein merely stared back, with the effect of not taking In what he was saying. But Bangs recoiled. "No. byG dt" he cried. "No! Nop Laurie went on as If he had not spoken. , "i pronusea FerKins to be in my rooms at eight o'clock tomorrow morning," he muttered, and they had to strain their ears to catch the words.. "I did not promise to be alive." This time It was Doris who gasped nut something that none of them For a moment Laurie eat heard. silent in his chair, watching her with a strange Intentness. Then, in turn, his black eyes went -- to the faces of Bangs and Epstein. Huddled in the big chair he occupied, the manager sat looking straight before him, his eyes set In agony, his Jaw dropped. He had the aspect of a man about to have a stroke. Bangs sat leaning forward, staring at the floor. The remaining color had left his face. He appeared to have wholly forgotten the presence of others In the room. He was muttering something to himself, the same thing over and over and t Proved safe by millions and prescribed by physicians for. 1 Headache Pain "And It's' all up to us. to us." Neuralgia Neuritis .Accept Alplrta to Ow trad Lumbago Rheumatism mark ef Bim only "Bayer", package which1 contains proven directions. Handy "Bayer" boxes of 18 tablets Also bottles of 24 and 100 Druggists. Ifanaftetan f UoaotetUearldnttr of BtUcrUcarl Agreed With Her Improving Phyically The public hentth service says that Jack, 1 love you because you're the sweetest handsomest, most as a whole American children of tofascinating man in the world. day are probably a little taller than He And I love you, dearest, be- the children of the same age were ono cause you are so frank and truthful. generation back, because of Improved Boston Transcript. sanitary conditions and health habits. She Prominent Pueblo Man Quickly Restored to Health WelVknown Contractor a Victim of "Nervous Indigestion, Loss of Sleep and Dizziness Strength Restored Praises Tanlac Pioneer blood flows in the veins ot Frank Good, a prominent But Pueblo, Colo., contractor. even his brawn, muscle and splendid health broke under a strain. "Flu" left its mark and threat-ene- d bis life. "I had almost given np hope of ever getting well," said Mr. Good, "when I began taking Tanlac My strength had vanished, sapped by the poisons that raged through my syBtem eating away brawn, undermining health and leaving roe a human wreck. My arms and legs were so weak they were almost useless. When I walked dizzy spells made me reel. My stomach was so upset that I couldn't eat without bloating and suffering from tormenting Indigestion. "I followed the advice of a friend and began taking Tanlac. I recommend it to anyone ailing. "This tonic worked wonders. Pain vanished. Quickly my old strength returned. I began to bave a great appetite and ate everything without a cign of pain. Tanlac certainly put me on my feet, made me stronger, gave me beUer health than I have had in years." It's all up For au Interval which none of the three ever forgot Laurie watched the tableau. Then, rising briskly, he ostentatiously stretched himself, and In loud, cheerful tones answered Rod, ney's steady babble. "Yes, old chap, It's all up to you." he said. "So what do you think of this as a climax for the play T' Grinning down at his pal, he waited for a reply. It did not come. Epstein was still unable to speak or move. Doris seemed to have heard the words without taking them In. But at last Bangs rose slowly, groped his way to his chum as if through a fog, and. catching him by the shoulders, looked wildly into his eyes. "You mean you mean," he stuttered at last "that that this was all a hoax?" "Of course It was." Laurie admitted, in his gayest voice. "It was the climax of the hoax you bave played on me. An hour ago Shaw confessed to me how you three arranged this whole plot of Miss Mayo's adventure, so that I should be kept out of mischief and should think I was having an adventure myself. 1 thought a little excite-mewas due you in return. How do you like my climax, anyhow? Pretty fair. I call it." Rodney hail He stopped short. loosened his grip on his shoulders and, stumbled to a chair. Now. his arm on the back and his head on his arm, his body shook with the relentless of a complete nervous collapse. Epstein had produced a handkerchief and was feebly wiping his forehead. Doris seemed to have ceased to breathe.' Laurie walked over to her, took her hHnds. and drew them away from her face. Even yet she seemed not to understand. "I'm sorry." he said, very gently. "I've given you three an awful Jolt. But I think you will all admit that there was something coming to you. You've put me through a pretty bad week. I decided you could endure half an hour of reprisal." None of the three answered. None of the three could. But, In the Incandescent moments that followed, the ftice of Epstein brightened slowly. like a moos emerging frotn black cloud Bangs alone, who had best borne the situation up till now, was unable to meet the reaction. In the silence ef the little studio he wept on, openljr and gulplngly and unrestrained!, as llttt he had not' wept since he was Colds Toothache DOES NOT AFFECT THE HEART over: Is The best system of education chief support Its draws which that the comfrom the voluntary effort of Individual efforts of the from munity, of dtliens. and from those burdens Imtaxation which they voluntarily A. bojr. npon tbmsIvfS,-Jm- es pose Si! i iiiuiri ot--) Tanlac often banishes pain that ravages health and builds np strength. It helps free the system of poison caused by constipation and sluggish liver. It Is nature's own remedy made from roots, barks and herbs according to the Tanlac formula. Banish sickness from your life, enjoy the benefits of strength and golden health. Begin taking Tan lac. The flrst bottle often brings surprising results. Ask your druggist for Tanlac today I Odd Work of Machineg According to Hie Station Mrs. Multikids Your child seems to I always gave my chilbe teething, dren a silver dollar to cut their teeth ' on. Mrs. Newgllt Really ! I must give littH? Launcelot a hundred-dolla- r bill to bite on. American Industries use many odd machines in the production of their commodities,' but perhaps the oddest are the machines for testing the power of adhesive tap;, the deformation of golf' balls under deriving stress, the strength of caskef handles and the tractive- efforts of elephants. The handwork of eight men Is Wisdom Is to the soot what health to be equaled by a Michigan Is to the body. La Rochefoucauld. machine. Inventor's claimed g nt iv con-vulsl- .o M oowntciw 0rm.r m toria , J Cas- - MOTHER- :- Fletcher' is a pleasant, harmless Substitute for Castor Oil, Pare goric, Teething Drops and Soothing Syrups, especially prepared ' for Infants in arms and Children all ages. To avoid imitations, always look for the signature of (azv-auc- J Proven direction!! on eah Physicians everywhere recommend it ; Coiticiira Promotes Permanent Hair Health Shampoo with CstJcora Soap, Ha light sp-- f UcaOooe of Codec Ototmea wea neoeatary, tend w free (be scalp of dandruff and nfaxx blanlsh, and to eatabliih a penoajM 4kioe of haw health. Sm ma. aaorawiStWM Sh. fttrtMrt H sa mi wi S uaww mm m ' m i |