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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE ' SUNDAY ilOR2&NG, OCTOBER i t small house mi drafty. Air the winmoved the curtain dows and billowed' the cheep rug on the floor. The baby had had the croup; it had given her an. excuse for being up. lights. t or the roaring kitchen fire, and Early In the evening she had cent over to the doctors tor medicine. The drug store was closed, and a curious ' crowd had gsthered In front of it. - The doctor dupe need hie own prescriptions . and had ssnt back with the bottle a kindly note: "Dear Molly: If we cad dq anything let us know. Would you lilts Ann to spend the night with you?" The girl had trotted beck with a message that she thought she1 could manage nicely. The thought o shudder. Anni prying eyee madehedhersettled down Then the quiet night on them. Borne time after 11, moving of out she had glanced about the room, the window and had seen glowing in the "darkness a lighted cigar. She knew what it meant. The house was being watched. By 1 o'clock the baby was breathing easisr. A light snow was falling; frozsn hard, it beat against ths wlndowpanea with little, sharp crackling. In th next girl as sound loom, the asleep, one arm thrown up over her head. f, he went to the window and looked out again; the man across tns street 'moved uneasily, hesitated, came .over and window. signaled her to raise the called through "Hows -th boy?" be . knew Bhe Cooper, snow. the .one of the county detective. ha medicine "Better; the doctor s helped him." bet-ter "Tou d He hesitated awkwardly. go to bed," he said at last. "There s no us of two of vs araving p. - I goeee he won't come back while I am hang. ing around." he won t h replied wearily, "No, come' back, Mr. Cooper. That was th said he last word hi cleared The detective coughed, Th cur-rsn- ia tt him-then- ' throat, spat. ha ob"W are all mighty sorry. served. using a carefully conversational "These these things happen now And then. ! txpect right cola out yu thre." .. replied "Well. I am not wsrm, h up considercheerfully. "I aro burningseem to heat able fuel, but It doesn't To show hla ease he lighted a much. iresh stogie. The match flare showed face drawn and til strained in spite of hie tone. ."You., wouldn't. care. tq comAjjLand warm your feet, would you Tha village street wts He hesitated. posito lte qulst Owing commanded all approaches tion. ha had to the house from hla ventage point But across the street. Once inside end then again the house wee smell a footfall Jightlv built; one could hear through It. A man ought to be able to then. now and out thaw "I don't know but I will for a minute or two, Mr. Carter, he assented, "If you'll unlock th door. ghe came downstair very soon, a shawl aver her thin wrapper, and set a match to the fuel ready laid in the parlor stove, before she admitted him. Bhe was a pretty slender woman still d type for in her twentlee an th village. Indeed, she had known betthin clapboard ter' things than this house. Bhe had taught school at the The county seat before her marriage. shy village had alwaya onresented her table. her books th parlor aloofness, from the marcalamitycome It had predicted riage. and now it had detective eyed her with appreciTh ation aa he drew up his chair to the nd warmed his numb finger. fir "How did It happen, anyhow. Molly? he said at last. He had known her for he been drinking? a long time. "Had know Her myself." "I don't exactly "I had asked him ton waa dreary. ask when you but pot to carry a gun he wants to right Jim not to do a thing, woman." off It was over a The detective had known about the woman, of, course. Molly Carter went to the foot of the still. The stairs and listened; all was wse the house baby still slept So email hi slightly sterthat h could hear was torous breathing Th not sit down glowing now. Sha did . arms In her She rolled her again. shawl and stood looking st the blase. He's girt at Heldeger'. "it was th around a her for quit been hanging while. Jim ws sociable, you know, and lately, with the baby and the house, I haven't had much time for him. At night I was tired. The detective nodded. "And he went out, I suppoee?" "Well, you can hardly blame him. I guess her la the town tney'll say I drove him to )t. I have the reputation of my children than I do thinking more of In th evenings I liked of my husband. to read. Jim was no hand tor reading. In her nine years In the village she had adopted many of Its colloquialisms. "From what I gather, because with everybody talking at once I got kind of mixed up, it seems that the clerk from th drug store walked Into Heidegers while Jim was there and asked the girl what ah meant by fooling around with a married man. Then he told Jim to come home because his baby wsa sick. I'd sent over this afternoon for some Ipecac. . nat wsa the stark Tha troubls cam then. Then Jim came home. the detective prompted, "and after that what. Molly? "Then Jim cam home, she repeated in a spiritless voice, "and said he was In trouble and he would have to leave town. I gave him all the money 1 had and got hla winter overcoat out. It smelled of moth balls, hut there wasn't time to air it. He put It on and went. Th detective sniffed. Moth balls? he said. "That's what You must have I've been smelling. spilled them around. In no was the room or he There light would have teen the woman grow paler and her hands clutch under the shawl. For a few momenta there was silence In the parlor, save for the creak of the in which the detective gently He himself. and yawned strung - stretched env Ivls lege. You don't mind If I smoke In here? , "Jim smoked all over th house. I the drug clerk badly hurt? of The creaking the topped. The detective looked hard at Ms stogie. "Yes, he' pretty bad, he aid, after a moment Hes well, Molly, you will learn it soon enough anyhow he's dead. dOROnim.. of the stiff ninth chairs Tier Jaws quivered nervously. Bhe could scarcely articulate. "Then Its murder? "I'm afraid so, He made an eager attempt to comfort her, bending forward. . "After all, ha said, "something of this sort was bound to come sooner or later, Jf he gets away, you are better w ithout him. If he doesn't " He threw out hla bands. "He has never supportYou ed you. have worked for him. havent you, and borne his children? What have you had out of R? Try to be sensible. Things are pretty bad just now, but they have been pretty bad for you for the last eight year. It's been drink and gambling -- .and other women, and I am going to tell you the wrhole thing straight. There la no use cutting off a dog's tall aa Inch at a time. Be shot the girl, too. They are both dead. Tha sheriff la out with a posse, .and there la , a .thousand dollars on bis head! . good-humor- eeml-isolst- ultra-refine- base-burn- self-rock- er self-rock- er j real bio- - had fallen earlier; In that early dusk when Jim had com In, .frantic, and told her part of the truth. Bhe only winced now. went a littla paler; the Increasing warmth of th room th odor of moth balls aeemed to fill the house. She was dlzzv. rather. Holding to th back of her chair, she listened for the sirk child above. He still slept. Two of them, she said, at last. "The drug clerk wea a nice young man. We vised to talk about books and articles' In Jhe magazines And now oh, my God! Th th Action . Mystery THE PAPERED- DOOR - She 8, 1922. -- By MARY ROBERTS RINEHART ' Sentiment year perhaps before fralt It would b he could leave th children to seek any kind of employment. Th deadly problem of th poor, in. xtrloably mixed, s It la with every event of their lives, complicating birth, adding froah troubls to death th problem of money confronted her. Jim had been. In town parlance, "a poor provider. but at soon herself together, sharply. gtrl, too," sha said, young, and the men quietly. fool of her. I guess sha wasn't made really bad." The detect(y said nothing. He rose, hoisting himself slowly out of tha low pulled tha "Its' a pity of was "Bhe i rocket.,,- "Well, back to Work!" he said. "It's been mighty good of you, Molly. I am warmed through, new." He yawned again. "Tha sister hasn't got out my flannels yet and I was nearly frosen. I wasn't expecting an Job He threw tha end of hla atogle into th stove, drew a revolver from .hla coat pocket and glanced at It, remembered action wsa hardly suddenly that th delicate, and thrust it back. The womsuban's mind was working again conscious intelligence that seemed to have been scheming all th while. I ws thinking." she suggested, "that If I leave th latch off you could com In now,nd then and get warm. I can leave m cup of tea on th tender. Do you want milk in It?" "Sugar, thank you, and no milk." he Mid. "You .were elwaja a thoughtful woman, Molly." There was something almost wistful in his vole. Mindful o( the sleeping baby, he dosed the door cautiously behind him as he went out. Only th most casual search had been mad of th house. Jim Carter had been seen after th tragedy to go home and shortly after to drive fiercely out of town In hie buckboard wagon headed for th mountain. No one in the village had tried to stop, him. He was grim, white- r jhf The posse had found th buckboard miles away at I o'clock that night, eight tha wagon wedged In a fence corner with a wheel off and the horse bun. There was every likelihood that Carter was in the- - hills. It was Heldegsr. the hotel keeper, who had offered th reward. It was Heldeger who with German shrewdness had suggested that th house be watched. But It had been almost midnight whet) th detective took up hla position across tha h had managed. Now very would not have that resource. To get away from It all! (She drew a long breath. From th disgrace, from th eyee of her neighbor, th goaslp, In every eye the constant knowledge that met her thgt her husband had inamd killed woman trigued with smother her. To start anew under another name and bring her children up In Ignorance of the wretched past that was one side. But to earn It in thla way that was mother. To sell out to the law! All her and brutalities husbands weaknesses isded from her mind.-- - Bhe saw him with that pitiful memory of women whioh those they forgets all but tha good in In the on love only as he had looked great moment of his life an hour ago. One again he wa her hero her lever; ono again be held her In tus arms. "I would like tl feel that I have dona on deoent thing." The battle waged back and forth. She no longer cried. There ar aom tragedies to which tha relied of tears la de- ' . nied. Four oclock. Bhe slipped the baby's bead from her arm and got up. Cooper wsa still across th street, huddled against a house, snd swtnginr hr sumplng to' keep vtrm milk train would arm. In an hour tha com in and wait on th elding Or the express. That would have been Jim's chance. If he oould get away, he could start all over again and nuke good. He had it In him. He wa a big man bigger than th people In th village hed evi'tr realized. They had never appreciated him that waa tha trouble. Why Should th have a froth start? It was dm who needed it. Bhe moaned and turned her face to the pillow. Five oclock. . least ah ht street, and In th interval Molly Carter went back to th kitchen and lighted the lamp. Tha room was stifling, but tha fire in th rang was low now. She put In a fresh piece of wood and set. the kettle over It. Then, and not until then, did ah go to th wall beside th range and pat her lips to It. Can you breathe?" th said, cautious-ly- . The reply cam with astonishing clearness through th thin wall; even tha sound of a body turning in a narrow space - Am"mafctag"a'nothr StF'hol. 03 out and e If any chips fall out." "I cant. Jim. Chester Cooper across the street. Did you hear what he said? They ar both dead There was To replv to this In th silence th could distinctly har th bit as it worked Its way through the outer wall. he ssld?" ".Mm, did you hear "1 heard. h said sullenly. The plan had been his. He had thought it out w hen th hors had gone lame snd he had had to work his roundabout way back horns through th commencing storm. But th execution .ws here, and Ihe work was well done. Beside th range there had been a smell unllghted closet, with a flat wooden door that fitted close without a frame. Long ago the door had been papered to match the kitchen it had been the work of on! a few moments to take off th lock. After that he had gone Inside sod drawn the door to behind him. shutting out from her sight, to her relief, his shaking hands and death colored face. It wsa don and the paste- almost dry before the sheriffs officer had made hts cursory search. The child upstairs had been coughing hoarsely all the time. Th little gtrl wa with him. locked In. Half distracted, she had papered anew from the celling to the floor over the little door and built a fire In the range to dry the paste, in the lamplight the unfaded strip did not show against the old ones. Daylight would reveal them cruelly, if v-keep the neighboro-eut- -l They knew the kitchen. Even at that she had gained a night. Sh made the tea, crossing: and rerrors. Ing the little room cautiously. When sh cam back from placing the cup on tha fender of the parlor stove, the querulous voice wsa speaking from th other side of th partition "What the devil do you mean by bringing him In here, anyhow ? "I thought It looked as If I hadn't anything go to hide, Jtm. He'll never think you ar here now I have left the latch off. so he can go In and out when he likes "Well, youd better see about those chips. Wait until he comes In th next time and than slip out the back door. snow will cover them. Jim, Th there's a thousand dollars on you' I "Well, why don't you sell me out haven't been worth much to you living, a thousand dollars dead wouldn't be bad." Her lln quivered, but she made no roply. That waa what the detective . had said. "If I could get out to th barn. he grumbled, "I could work around behind Bhultx t fence and get to the railroad aiding. Where is that fool standing?" "He's .Just across Ton can't get to the 'barw. Jim, Is that sleeping stuff of yours bitter?" He gsthered the meaning In her ton and cam close to the papered door. "Ye. Why?" "Would you notice It In a cup" of tea?" T don't know. Not with sugar, may. be." "Have you got your knife? "Yes." "I thought this way. Jim. If ha comes In to get warm and goes to sleep by th firs, I will tap thro times lightly. Toull b listening, will you? You won't go to sleep?" God In heaven! do' you think I Am Sleeping tonight?" 'Then listen. Tou esn slip ths blad around th door from th insld and cut ths paper, can t you?" "How do you know he la coming back?" "Ha said ha might. I think b will. Whats that?" toward :xhsreC-"'or-thouse ; a pair of peering eyes wsr staring at her from tha window. Blie turned her back to them. Almost a whisper, "Jimr but be heard. "What?" "Mre. Phulti in on. th back porch. When she looked again, the eyes had gone, and her neighbor was trying ths door. With a despairing gesture Molly 'I've been hi bed for three hour.' and seems like I explained the visitor, with you so near snd In such cant sleep, trouble " Bhe pushed herself through the door. Into the room-I'sorry. I guess there's nothing anyone can do to help. I could sit here by the store, j cant sleepanyhow, - It's a comfort, when Vo have someone about you're in trouble, to lean on., There wa a sort of ghoultsh curiosity In her face, but there was real kindness also. Bhe came close and lowered her , yolce. I thought you wa 'talking to someone a minute ago." "I was speaking to tha detective. H ws in. I'm making him a cup of tea." If the curiosity faded from Mrs Shultz's eyes, th kindness, - alto left them. Tea! I dont know that Id car to make tea for a man who was waiting to hang Bhults or fill him full of lead!" 1 -- sha-eonJd- -- -w! -- i half-open- -- -- "I told ShuRa I wag going to stay. He locked the door after me.- - You wouldn't mind, would you, if I lay on your parlor sofa?" Molly waa a mild woman, but now aha was desperate. "I'm afraid I would mind, sh ttld "Thla it a very tail night for quietly. me. 1 should like to be alone; absolutely alone. closed with a bang. The kitchen She waa alone with th papered door. Bhe ran up the stairs and brought e sleeping powders lq tbelr down - Vr The milk train was whistling for the swltoh. It was still very dark. She crept to the window and looked out. it was a gray dawn with snow blowing like amok through th trees. Th cold was proving too much for Cooper. He' was making hi wy cautkKicly across th street through the snow toward - the house. Once In th parlor again, aha- aowtd get ta th hern. Th freight waited on the elding ten minutes sometimes, and towith the snow. It might be longer. night, Bher leaped off the bed and hurried down th staircase. Just before tha front door opened to admit the detective, the kitchen door closed behind her. Bhe wea put In the storm. Bhe stumbled alpng, sometimes kne. deep, holding up her thin cotton wrapper. - The barn door was open and aha slipped in. "Jim! sh called. Jim! Bhe waa standing at th foot of th loft ladder, all her heart In her vole. "I cant do It, Jtm. I cant aeU you out. even for the children, Jim! There was no sound from above. Th loft She climbed up, trembling. was dark. Bhe would not believe the silence, must creep around to each corner. I cant do It, she said over and over, I can't do it, Jtm! 'He waa gone. Sh felt her way down through th darkness and staggered to the door of the barn. Oooper was standing there quietly waiting for her. From th railroad came th whistle of th express as it raced through, and the slow Jangle' of the milk' train as th engine took up the' slack. He's gone, Molly, said th detectlva "He went out by Shultz's at a quarter to five. I guess hsll make hit getaThere waa sham and omt thing way. else In his eyes. Th freight gathered way, A thev listened It moved out on to-t- h mate ' . w track (Copyright. All rights reserved.) (Printed by arrangement with Metropoll-ta- n Newspaper Service. New York.) In the senate who had access to th Whit House at ail times and seasons, head of th majority party, scheming, sly, sll powerful. Yes, 1 was on gooi terms with him. o far as was fOea tinned from Freeedlng fags.) And he was on good terms anybody with m because my paper wa ths biggest in hi tlon tn thslr hands, Mr. Manama They state. He was never out with th local Intend to us it, uni you break your connection with Senator Kain. They press yon to go to him aonflden-tlallythink again pardon my bluntnsss that said Mies Thatcher, and tell h Is too valusBl a man to them to lose him that it. wouldbe good move to gar? tn the middle of his career. "Do you ths to president Kain Senator appoint Do you understand ? to th next vacancy among tha United Mrs. Marteme put on cf her Uttl States circuit judgeships hands up to her twitching mouth. Shs My "But theres no vajltoPPei waa frightened, but gam. "Does Sena- cancy to likely occur, I said, "unless tor Kain know this?' she naked. vs you klU off someone." arranged to No, cer"No, said Miss Thatcher. Yes, there la she sstd coolly. With-i- n tainly not. And I must tall you. In jus-ti- c a very short and time, out in our die-to Mr. Edward Marteme. that the V!0' 1 JUit tot word today that material for this this Interview waa obPetersen's wife Judg has Inherited a tot tained from him by atealth and without of money and I know " exactly what she ll hi knowledge Th Secret Barrie b Vork Paris for her th paused snd smiled, "has many usee for ,ltnjrest of her life.and Sha leads her . I am also authorised to tell husband round But, nos. by th So, Petsr-- n a move for on that you any your part will soon. Ther nobody In hasty marriage with th senator any at- tha otherresign party whos absolutely got to tempted coup, will be instantly and fully She pleaded with him. went down on her knees, grew hysterical finally, and had and publicly pubUidy, mind you frus- p taken care of just now. and Brlitol th advantage ln- to he taken In hla arms and quieted. You ar under constant J'"0"'. trated. y' or Klhe a been blocking some surveillance. and thla Is a chance Mr. Marteme sat and stared at Mias to get him schemes out of the way and harvest Her almost stopped, her knees, grew' hysterical finally, and Thatcher pasteboard box. One ah emptied swift-J- Y no reply. and Mlsa Thatcher stared back a tot of acclaim 'hto the teacup on the parlor fender. leaped on again, heart raced wildly. Bhe rewith to had arm hla It Nobis nonpar-thin- g be and to taken quieted, without a word. She looked reliable, Tne box she put into the stove and peated the -- signal. tUff' yo know as he had not quieted her In years. And aa solid, aa firm a PlymouthatBock. Then, dl that sort of By until It wsa entirely' consumed. she put her lip to the wail. desperately, ?.. still there wsa no sound from th parlor. golly, sh almost convinced ma There fixed It. Jim. Listen for three Kaine "Jim!" she whispered. me take It? ;;wjn he I asked. repeataomehow,' know. "They'll Not have been such things you reps. If he doesn't drink It, or the powThere was absolute silence, eav for ed over andgetover. Oh, yes. Ever . ses a person who And I I would Ilk darned long ago a distinguished statesder doeen't th heavy breathing of th detective in to feel that J had done on decent thing so 4 even to th man. was induced to change his mind dniw? Bhe broke down. There wsa only the th Madness seized her. She first. That on arth- ? parlor. Well- ferret in th par- about an attractive divorcee and sound of the hit from beyond, creaking that with lawyers and judgeshipsUs like along th tiny passage to the par- lor will get the money If you don't. For took amarrying No but Impeccable wholly stupid a It turned She opened th front door crept lor door, and working with Infinite cauwhat a lawyer has done or Is the children. they've got a right widow instead, aa a matter of political ex- matter and called across In a low voice: he always sees a Judgeship a desir-ab.tion. In aplte of her frenzy, she closed to ask to be Molly; started It. world knew and all straight. the T ve left your tea for you and tha door It and locked R from the outside. - Then more serious. "And That was the argument thak. moved pediency, There were Interests tn th that he a ten-lbl-She turned, is unlocked Be sure to close it tight back to bhe kitchen again, pulses hamfed up Kaine Is. He-- ou her finally Into a sort of acquiescence. might be looking after Kain. party . . . when you go out." , remember what you overheard him sav do. mering. Ther s, eeemed for to els her Is- Infamous, Mid Edith nothing "This Then she went upstairs. - The bottle off the table and broke He even planned the for her. He at last "Infamous!" And by tha weeict ayo? It mnro o now. And th The bsbv elept soundly. She put out with a crash. fell For a moment she felt as would hide In the barnthing In tha loft Tha ton of her voice 1 knew ah believed the Maraeme matter has fwip.ibout the lamp and, drawing her shaw--l does If something in her had given away also. swift show would more than he knows. Oh, he soon fill th footprints, and was Do to capitulate. shout her, sat down in a chair before the But ther came no outcry from the ' In case she was anxious, shs could they offer prepared but to. And. I mawnothing In return?". lhQUght.-tf-.pian- v of (r!.Bh9 the best thing for him flimsy get up early and shovel a path where he I think T11 !ied, llat thing: You see. jne sh wanted money. the when across door. the 10 do. dajs Cooper, . street, had . stepped, was sh the remembered Mm that story had wished t marry her; of her husband; Bhe got a knife from the table drawer Bristol won't listen to me, I ob- Whemi Cooper wakened sh could say in mind, for the divorce who lost of the blonde girl at Heldeger'; of the and cut relentlessly through the new pa- - the thought the thing over, that aha ths my 1 have received to statesman reputed ptpered-u- p closet In the kitchen and th of "Bristol listens to everybody, and vou the needed the monev, that ahe would ex- consolation to the sum of a pretty penny. Then, with the edge Ser strips. man In It drilling madly (or breath. she worked tha door open. change., her knowledge for the reward. al? Miss Thatcher. "And the No, said Miss Thatcher. "Not a cent. knw Her eyes fell on a small whit object Jtm half eat, half lay. In the bottom fact a It you ve got advance new about a for you "Only for get to paper will Ther you merely make it easy on the doer. That brought her back of th closet with closed eves. Drink paper from Heldeger. He'll bluff get It out obtain a passport this week, by prefer- this vacancy will send your stock ub with with a atari. She made another painful and fatigue had combined with stifling If he can. He was stuck on tha girl ence. And, to make sure that they have him as to political eaplency," sh added . excursion to the air. Bhe reached In and shook him, but himself. mockingly, what they say they have 1 am authori"He smelt the moth balls on your overhe moved under her hand without opencan yo? a w,tl "Jim, did you car for that girl so zed to give you thla. woman like coat," ths Mid to the wall. 'Tv got ing hi eyes. With almost superhuman much?" Bhe opened her shabby llttl bag and ot course. And at she had to hide It again. Its under the parlor strength she dratted him out, laid him His face hardened. took I "I did; sheet. a out "It's' thought prophesied. Senator Bristol listened, and single typewritten sofa. Where II I put It?" prons on the kitchen floor, brought snow for a for a little while. 8h mad a a copy, of course." sh said, offering the his Interest wasn't felrned. "Hide It behind the wood on the back snd rubbed it over his No, he face, slapped his fool of me .and I showed herl But all papsr to Mrs. Martsm. If I'1 known then The waa velce muffled. porch." wrists to restore his pulse the village the time I loved you. Molly." Edith Msrsem gav It one glance and whkt later oboot that "Jim, have you got enough air? method. He kissed her solemnly as . Shs half winced. She crumpled it and held it In power bill of his I'd never have niter "Oh, I'll manage aomehow." He came to quickly, sat up and stared lay In his arms and went toward the her hand. Sha looked very whit and a movs to get any possible opponentmade of The kitchen clock struck, a thin me- about him. door. little snd weak now, and, by God. I pitied his out of the way. tallic ring. It was a very old clock, with he "Good-bfear would ahe for y said, God bless you," he said. her. Yea, 1 pitied her, snd I wanted to and Huh, I said flowers painted on th my little to him and went dial. It had speak. Can you hear me, Jim? Do "And kiss the get away. It was too painful. But she on. If you ve read say marked in Ra time death and birth and you know what I am saying?" the at all, you He choked up at that and mad his had herself well under control, even so. know how Jt all turned papers out on He nodded. giving in marrlaga. But never, perhaps, "Have your employers planned what I way out throurn th drift on th porch Th appointment of Kainetheto the had It marked so tragto a night. 1 locked In th parlor asleep. to the little yard. 'Oooper shall sh to Senator asked. Kain?' say Two oclock. Tou can get away now. My God, don't 5al1!! a a great --stroke of Mies Thatcher got up briskly. She closed the door and fastened ' It "No," by the party, In power. And Bhe went back to her chair and sst clota your eyes again. Lteten. You can behind him. Then very carefully sh th ssld. 'They trust to your own ex- generalship th senator gav out interviews through Th billiard had come new get away!" . listening unlocked the parlor door and opened It. cellent powers or invention for that." hts happiness to go. the Wind whipped th W went out and left Mrs. Marteme Joy of Crtaryof window sash and "Away from what? he asked stupidly. Cooper was still In his chair, sunk a release from harness, ths roared aibeut the house corners. Beneath little tower perhaps snd breathing "Away from th police. Try to rememsitting ther. with that paper crushed wslcoms he felt forlegislative his Judiciary .duties the frame a fin lln of enow ber, Jim. You shot th clerk from the ily. the overturned teacup on tha floor in her hand, a little, broken, hurt crea- And he s made a wonderful Ther had aifted Bhe was ture that you couldn't bear to look at. R painfully alive. driig store and the gtrl st Heldeger a. beside Ailm. is snd he who runsJudge. may read Every sens ached with waiting. She went hack to th kitchen and filled Wa didnt say a world until wa were out But this Is after you. There a police ar Inside the story the inaid More than once ihe mistook a slamin th street again. Tha whole thing a fresh bottle for the babv. thousand dollars on your (head." that no one knows and that will As before. It served as tn excue for had been so fantastic that I began to feel story ming shutter for th closing of th front That routed him. He struggled to never be told. It. to be door, only But It hts feet, reeled, caught the table. her presence; with It on the table near that Id dreamed Bay did it. really disappointed. Your now, I hope. I said cam an hour later, when tha clock with "I remember. happen T I asked Kiss Thatcher. "And . Well, Ive got to get at hand she trimmed carefully th rough-cktlsa Thatcher. Unles you've the painted dial waa striking three. The away. That's all. la It true?' of the papered door. The InBut I can't go edges some up thought other way to play guarSh of of door bait th unlatched stalked along, atlll ths picture and tha glow feeling Tike this. Get me some side of the closet was a clear betrayal. dian to him." angel of th Puritanic th and and Still re.labtUty. uprightness through parlor whisky." walking softly, th listening a mighty thth little ml,yd ay window had caught their victim. Not a word I stole th stuff out of H needed It, She brought it to him, got a dust brush and pan and swept smile, but awfully canny. "When He grumbled Cooper bad compromised with hla eon. measured out. at the up the bits of wood snd sawdust from young Edward's trunk when I mended hit watery he accepted It, she said, "I wired Miss science by making a careful round of the quantity, but after ha had. had it his th floor. The bit sh placed on th underwear, and copied It snd put it back. Reed, in hts name, and told her hed house. At one place he stopped. In a dull ayes cleared. shelf, and. turning, pan and brush tn He doesn't know Tv ever seen It. It soon b coming in to read with her again. lull of th wind, it seemed to him that I was small a Sh bad gone to listen at the copied, And I told him what Id don. (Oh. only hand, faced the detective in the doorpart, that peg b , but It waa convincing. Tou see, I am there wsa a curious, grinding sound. door. When she came back, he wasparlor lookway. And r now. hes rip Then th gale roee again, caught hi ing more himself. He was a handsome He made a quick dash toward the a thief aa well as a liar. And this Is only Msrseme affair has women Into hat and gent him running and cursing. fellow with heavy dark hair and dark the beginning. t. his head. Louis Reed willput get him With-l- n When he cam back th noise, whatever eyea, a big man as he towered above "Well, for tho love of hMven, I said, "What hive you got there? he dea month he after leaves Washington." on In me th next chapter. Tou let ft wsa. had cessed. her to the little kitchen. His fare did manded shortly. She paused, and her voice, usually so -He stamped on the low not Indicate hi weakness,- - There are But now. aa through all th tong night, owe mo something after using my name sharp and determined, quavered cautiously with unyou did to that woman." porch and opened th door. A homely men like that, broken reeds swinging In her woman s wit saved her. He said h minded feeling. do more than let you in controllable odor of tea met him. mired with com- the wind, that yet manage to convey an Dont me more Jump at me Ilk that. Tv on 'I'll probably than leaving else. H it, she said. "Tou may hart to do didn forting warmth. He turned up the lamp Impression of strength. broken one of the babys bottles and I am t mean It but It anything was nice of him th real work next time." and took off hla overcoat. HI wife brought It waa hts the Overcoat and just about to sweep It up. to say It." to I look her "But began best overcoat and shabby at that. If held It out for him. squirm. Bhe stooped and swept, th broken glass And something in her 'eyes, something Bhe glanced up at ma and stabbed me h had any luck and ther storm drove "By 6huUx's fence.- - you said, Jim, and on to the pan. He stared Into the empty .revealed- in the with tha steel- - e( the purnoee in her e yc. trulli-whe Joa Carter back, he'd be- able to buy a new then to the - railroad-- , -- Ther rzr-ri rrcc slow closet,. 'had o she said. 1 orte. He dusted It off with wV hsnds freight goes through On toward morning, I m sorry. Molly I didn't mean to' "Tou stand by me in this, Sh loved him! Passionately guarded. can rely on but before hanging it over the back of a and If that doesn't stop, there's ths milk startle you. - That tea and the heat of haven't got a soul oor Uttl woman .YLtbat chair to dry. On one shoulder a few tram. And Jim, let me hear about you th stove put me the great brain and homely sleep. Ive been half you. the greet heart tj I could do What after that? Nothing with to Aunt Sarah. frozen. I guess it was the bottle breakgrain of sawdust caught hla attention. now and then. Writ loved a man few are ever loved. He looked at them with speculation, but Don't write her, and don't think once ing that wakened me. I thought you said but tar that Td stick. , O, my natural For him she had maeculins curiosity helped; I Itched to see stolen snd dared plotted and lied and without suspicion. He had a sense of you get away that you are safe. A you would go to bed. the Not Impossible. how follow defection of Mrs. she'd up Hug humor. thousand dollars reward will set everyfor ambition, or pride in her "I couldn't sleep, she evaded', and a "Ha! ha said to himself. "Evefl th body In th country looking." about this time the baby alwaya has to Mareeme, which I felt sure was going to I had so fatuously imagined, work, for but happen. He paused, hit overcoat, half on. be fed. sky has gone In for adulteration, Sawlove of this for him, that h might And I wae right. Edith Marteme be happy withman, dust In th snow!" "A thousand dollars." he said slowly. She took the bottle of milk from th woman who could trunk and left Washington give him what another He smiled at th conceit and alpped "I see. When I'm gone. Molly, how ar table and set It tosld the teakettle to packed she could not. -.wa one on week called after wed her. It -- Thre.W cot very-goo- d but itt going ta make out? Hhrcry vestige of- - suswictrra had just hff wondrT her gofngr and story. God, what utter Th.r. waa hot. Overhead he oould hear tha Ml manage somehow; only go, Jim. died from the mans eyea.v He yawned was a aaertflee, what consensus of opinion was that Kata tenderness! slow rocking of a chair. Go!" the clock with the Bhe "could not give him stretched, compared again, had her. know I Jilted don't whether he said. Poor llttl I don't know about this golfig, "Poor child! and beauty, and a wifes lave, and hs .his watch. saw him again or not. But, whether ayouth girl ail this far that damned skunk!" wife's companionship, but she said, after a moment. he said. "Ms sh "It's been a long night. grab me loved broke In him ahe with a intera further compromise somewhere. Somebody'll"They'll Ll-tHe affected pergonal him thouso street to that for much that sh was willing to put the get that wind. again. was final and com- aside her with hie sense of duty by getting up sand. You'll manage- - somehow! What I'm sorry for anyone that's out in th view or by letter,noit move her love, natural Jeal- - ' to follow her, plete. He "mad every few minutes and inspecting ths do you mean by somehow'? You'll get mountains tonight and by ever means inpitiful power , or anything like that. 1 have an Idea ousy, street or tiptoeing through the kitchen married again, maybe?" secure these gifts for him fromheranother. - He that, juet to please her own vanity, she -- I and pullina open unexpectedly the fcack - Oh. so; Dot that-Into the oarlor and. "by evej-- means tn her power."--Bwas pretty brusque about It, "handed film door. occasions he He cared a llttl then In spit of the on his overcoat, stood awkwardly putting Always- - on thee I tell you, unbeliever and old cynlo In th . sort a of slapped wallop, hed hla hrgid in his revolver - poket. . I that st hall. little girl am, I believe she. was aided by Heldeger'! at him, told him h bored her something Three-thirtIf hs would Bhe faced him, the child's bottle In her laughed go! Thla thing for bigger than herself.'by outto tears and that sh simply couldnt side The storm hed Increased In violence. which sh had only schemed the whole night hand. unseen. unknown, who his crudities and provincialisms. broughtforces,, Already small drifts had piled In still might fail now while be talked. to I guess you know how I hat this, stand would her hands the right weapon be her style. 8 he couldn't for th corners. The glow of the "You cant stay here. he said slowly. Molly. .he Mid. "I I this Isn't th That moment to defend him. right make her exit without damage to some- Call It waa dull, red; the rocking overhead had You cant bring the children up where time for talk and there ain't an r disloycoincidence, tf you tike. Coinciceased. dence be a a of everybody knows about their father. alty tn It, but I was pretty fond of you one. may divine part pattern, And my belief la fairly wn supported and I ma'ntaln that Cooper yawned and stretched out hla They can't run any Sort of a race with one time I guess you know It, and 4 Estelle Thatcher we by th way be looked those day after worthy of even so big that handicap. am not the changing sort. I have never she aa leg. that. thing He wee left. unhappy, disgusted She didn't need to ask help from powers "Poor llttl girt! he Mid. Poor HI For answer she held out his overcoat. seen anybody else I liked fh tame way. life. On more doll was stuffed of darkness. Powers girl! And all for the sake all for But he shook his bead. Perhaps It was' It don't hurt a good worm to know a with of watched light One more with sawdust. thing he'd be- over her and defended her at every step his one big moment. gak Perhaps It was thing like that. Good night. haved in waa shattered. Yet I swear I of Ha drew a deep breath and settled only a reaction from his murderous her devious way. Before sh went upstairs sha took a could detect little a also. Maybe, relief tower In the chair. mood of th afternoon. For now quits final look out th back doer. Already beneath Well, ther you have It all, Kaine the ahe had married careeslag flattery hl lio anus Louie Reed last week. Theyll were around her. Jims footprints put effectively erased suddenly on him to get him. he had unconAn rmtnokerr a?reetnf ' poured "By 'th"' wind: be.hap py .Whjt a bo uldnUJhe y.be JLIUelr her" felt -' sciously falsify '4naKf"Chepand listened. deof Th am out. th not worth a thousand dollars whit abow stretched to th barn. By ness. I dont know. stair "I wm certainly paid for at a top Certainly hla mam happiness tective had come in and ah had not allv or dead, but It they're offering that morning, at thla rate, th telltale marks enough price. reaction waa on of wounded surprise, eteep heard him go out. It would not do ta for me, if you bad It you could go out would be burled six inches or more. I when I began-thieeld, tory, that bitterness But I think In descend too stealthily for fear he were west somewhere and nobody would know Bhe blew out th kitchen lamp and disappointment, was never Washington something there ws a little ot the other, too. still awake. A an excusa she took down about you. You could start the kids trait slowly up the stairs. for Estelle la given nothing. Now look how th thing hooked the on great exception that Thatcher a bottle of th baby's to fill with milk. fresh. That's about 'iho only thing 1 can The baby cried hoarsely and sha gave on. Hardly had th next prove th sensation of Mrs. rule. Sh Cooper waa sound asleep In tha par- do for you give you a chance to get him hla bottle, lying down on th bed Marteme: gave everything; and she got leaving died down when Miss lor, hit head dropped forward on hla away and forget you ever knew me. beside him and taking hts head on her unleijg you want to figure In terms of called me again to her room breast. There was a strong odor of dryBhe did not understand at first. When arm. Ha dropped asleep ther and sha Thatcher selflessness and denial g dinner. after t all. . ing wool aa hla overcoat steamed by the she did she broke Into quiet sobbing. Bhe kept him close for comfort. And ther. "I know now what to do next, ah fire. knew hla obstinacy; the dogged tenacity lying atone In the darkness with staring said. eh secWhat's now? she Oh, doing "I've got th way clear at last. Still holding the bottle, eh crept to of the weak. Now when every second eyes, ahe fought her battle Bhe bad Aro you on good terms retary to Senator Bristol. with Senator the kitchen and tapped lightly three counted to have him refuse to go! ta the world but the fur- Bristol ?' nothing cheap times on th papered door. Ther waa Bhq, pleaded with him, went down on niture in the house. Her own health was old rat, th only man. (Copyright, 1922, by Soobl Kerr.) y Bristol, the Something for Nothing ," Vj ... ... -- ' work" th,er red-eye- d do-ln- re. Mar-asm- it 11 -. t, '. lower-floor- ,Vh sur-fac- e. 11 hv. aalnd ut base-burn- for-dle- clo-e- -- - I tht br nftTe-day- i s" cn wit ey -- ut -- y. base-burn- er s nothlng-Lnothln- ' rrv |
