The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-12

~ the ireSn ar a. the outer door OF
the police station closed behind her
She was glad ii was all over. Her
task had not been a, very pleasant one,
but then she had not stopped long
enough to worry seriously about that
She had accomplished what she had set
ont to do, and what in the beginning
seemed impossible.
Once in a while the handsome face OF
Nelson would insist upon picturing
itself vividly before her, but she brush
ed the remembrance aside with a sigh
In delivering Nelson over TO the police
Betty had proved that she was made
OF somewhat sterner material than the
average woman. who. no doubt. would
have relented at the last moment and
have permitted herself 10 be persuaded
to drop the charge.
There was a grim stubbornness about
Mrs. Wharton, however. that was not 20
be overcome by gallantry and smooth
phrases, OF which Nelson had demon
strated that he was master.
The fact that she could not resist a
feeling OF admiration for the man-thicf
though he was-caused Betty TO be even
more energetic in pushing her detective
work to satisfactory conclusion. Had
Nelson displayed the white feather at
any stage of the game she would have
owned to a feeling of pity for him and
that might have softened her determi-
nation.
On the contrary, he had been through
out debonair and very much the gentle
man. That was what angered her. Had
ne dropped his mask for moment in
order TO allow her the discovery Of even
a temporary weakness she might have
changed her course of action.
Ever accustomed TO managing those
around her, Betty learned that in
Charles Nelson, gentleman burglar,
there was one person with sufficient will
Of his own to resist all her dominating
qualities
Betty thought over ALI his character
istics as she wendell her way through
the ice and snow toward the surface
car which would carry her home
Thoughts of the street car brought
to her recollection the luxurious de-
lights of the big automobile in which
she had been riding so short time be-
fore. She remembered that as she left
the station house the car was nowhere
70 be seen. She wondered where Nelson
had obtained IL That was d matter she
had not bothered about before
For the. first time now IL crossed her
mind that he had no business with such
an expensive car, and she puzzled over
Its history. Maybe the rightful owner
was searching for II at this very mo-
ment. However. she had troubles
enough of her own. without worrying
about those which did not intimately
concern her.
1t seemed an interminable length OF
time before the street car came along,
and still longer interval before Il
stopped az the corner nearest Betty's
home.
AS the plucky little woman ran quick
~ up the steps OF the apartment house
she felt for the first time q vague mis-
giving. Just what occasioned the SEN
sation she did not know. but it nos
sessed her, nevertheless.
She fumbled in her leather bag for
the latch key At last she found it. and
hurriedly inserted it IN the door to the
Wharton fiat
The hall was dark. and this fact called
10 Betty's attention the time Of dav.
She hadn't thought OF that before. She
hadn't stopped to consider that she
should have had some lunch. also that
was necessary for her to prepa 70
dinner.
IT had dawned upon her now that
there was nothing In the house to cook.
and. as the street lights were lit. IL was
probably long past the hour for prepar-
ing the evening meal
Then Betty realized that her husband
must have been home some time and
that he woulo be hungry She had had
former experiences with him when 10
was late and tired and eager for his
HtnnaF hut he
with her smooth explanation
Now she was in no humor 10 exert
her T1les in order to cause a man tn
forget HIS physical discomforts She
had enough Of her own. She felt the
immediate need or some one who womb
smooth her own path for her.
she quickly found her way 10 the mar
Tor and there sat Wharton He was
reading an evening paper
he looked up for an instant as she
entered but said nothing, merely went
back TO the perussl OF his paper.
1 know I'm aWfully late. VIII be
gan BETTY. but I couldn't helm it."
"Of course not" replied Wharton
without deigning TO notice her further
What woman could help being late
when she really wants 70 stay away I
from homer
II wasn't that I wanted 10 STAY.
VIII but 7 had To-. said Betty
Certainly, certainly. 20 ahead /.
Let's see what kind of a story YOU
can concoct.
/ don't have 10 cOnc0ct one. indie- /
nantiy answered Betty. "AH can
tell is the truth"
Go on" said Wharton. Il want 10 /
hear H. Nobody ever tells anything 1
else but the truth nowadays IT would 4
ne refreshing 10 hear . real good lie
which some one would own as A lie
just by the way OF veracity."
VIII exclaimed Betty. as she
turned away 70. escape his flow Of
words
''oh, you needn't rum continued
Wharton You might as aeH face the
nusic!"
IL that's what YOU call. II. am /
perfectly willing 20 face it,"
Where have YOU been all the after.
noon?T
That's just what ] was going TO tell /
YOU replied Berry
ph' were you really? Then why