Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-11-13

ward symbol OF their love.
II was with light heart that he
seated himself Ia the train and spread
open the morning paper. Almost the
first thing that he saw was a black
type head In which Smrgis' name was
mentioned. lie read II eagerly.
News had been duh the day before,
and the editors had made the most OF
the sensational abduction OF the well
known clubman. The account was
padded 10 two columns, but the lead
lug facts were easily grasped. Sturgis
had been waylaid on his way home on
Friday evening. A cloth thrown over
his head had prevented his seeing his
captors, and after be had been hustled
into cab be remembered no more UNI
III he came TO his senses in police
station forty-eight hours later.
One OF the park policemen had found
him sitting on bench near secluded
drive and had come 10 the prompt con-
clusion that the man was intoxicated.
When the application Of the night stick
10 the soles OF his feet failed in Its usu-
al effect an ambulance had been called
and the man was removed 10 the police
station. where the surgeon had quickly
brought him 10 consciousness, pro
nouncing the case one of opium pol
soning.
A suggestion was offered that per
haps visit 10 Chinatown had been
followed by overindulgence In opium
smoking, but Sturgis declared that he
L..
but was on his way TO his apartments
after an evening at the club. He had
not had a very large sum Of money OH
his person. nor was il his custom 10
carry large amounts at any time, so
that If the object was robbery the alb
ductors had Jared but badly.
The afternoon papers advanced
new theory based upon Sturgis' slight
resemblance TO the head of large
trust company. Ii was argued that he
might have been mistaken for the
banker. and that IL was the idea of the
abductors 10 hold the man for ransom.
Discovering their error, they had taken
the few dollars found In bis clothes
and had turned him loose In the park.
Sturgis was the center Of attraction
at the club that evening. and Bowen
was one Of those who listened 10 his
story. II was late when be let himself
into his apartment, but Namoto was
Up awaiting him.
You had a nice timer be asked
when Bowen was established by the
window for bis good night cigar.
Fine" said Bowen, wondering at
the question.
&c Namoto.
Bowen stared. What could Namoto
know about Bessi Then be remember
ed his conversation with Mosby. Ma
motto. In the adjoining room, must have
heard them. lie was so unobtrusive
that Bowen had forgotten his presence.
II will be married In the fall, said
Bowen. Mr.. Mosby wants you 10 20
10 him then"
81 got housekeeping account" said
Namoto irrelevantly, presenting a slip
of paper. II was their custom 10 have
a settlement every Monday.
Look herer' called Bowen. you
have made a mistake. You have
charged the rent 70 backing"
81 have not paid the rent" said Ma
motto II bought backing"
1.-TWO hundred dollars worth OF
blacking? gasped Bowen. Namoto
nodded.
1.-Two hundred dollars" he assured.
Chinese backing. Very good backing
indeed"
The stolid face did not change in ex-
preston as Bowen stared and Namoto
repeated the explanation. Bowen gasp
ed Namoto had also overheard his
wish that Sturgis should not be at
Bayport over sunday and had engaged
a Chinese tong 20 abduct Surgls.
Grayely Bowen counted out the re-
quired sum and added another hun
bred.
lit was we'll done he said gravely,
but buy no more backing"
Namoto rcfilled Bowen's empty glass.
"No more VIII be needed he said
placidy. Il am glad you approve"
Bowen stared after the retreatlng
form. Gee be whispered to himself.
I'm glad didn't tell Mosby that
wished that Sturgls was dead