The Mena weekly star., 1909-05-13

"Why-y," hesitated the stove pro moter, you see, Mr.--ah, gentlemen. you see, I was told to take the boy to the Palace hotel, and I set out to do it. We weren't going at more than an ight-mile-an-hour clip. yet some fooz- fer of cop arrested us for speeding. 1t was perfectly ridiculous, and I tried to shake him, but it was no use. They carried us of to police court and stuck me for ten dollars. Meanwhile my machine and my passenger were outside. When I got outside I couldn't ind them. 1 skirmished around. and nnally did get the machine. I'd taken the precaution to fix it so 1t couldn't be run before I left it---took the key put, you know-it must have been trundled off by hand somewherel- q but couldn't find the boy Naturally, & was a bit worried; but after l had 8 looked up the force and the neighbor- z hood 1t occurred to me to phone to z the Palace I did, and I was told he was there."
 Who told your" The question came simultaneously out of three throats. # Why Mrs. Winter-that's what she called herself"
 M But not three minutes ago Mrs. # Winter told me that he wasn't there, :" aemarked Mercer. coldly. When did .ou telephone?"
 Tt was at least 15 minutes ago. '' 4the young man said dolefully q say. wouldn't you better call them up ARgain? There may be some explana- dion. l shouldn't have come back zRithout the kid if hadn't been sure he was safe"
 z Was it Mrs. Melville or Mrs. Win Ter you got?" This came from the folonel. Did she by chance have an ===- English accent, or was 1t southern?"
 "Oh, no, not southern" protested |x}he young man. Yes, should say H was English--or trying to be"
 Tt would be exactly like Millicent z Ihought the colonel, wrathfully, Ito zry to fool the kidnapers. who had ap- ] parently lost Archie. by pretending he F as at the hOtel,
 He made no comment aloud. but he assent to Mercer's proposal ab telephone; and then he walked up & the stove man.
 M The game is up,' he said. quietly. We have lot of men waiting out Rde. If we signal. they will come any mute; if we don't signal, they will tp;re in ten minutes. Give Us 9 chance
 be merciful to you. This Is no kind 4 serape for your fathers son--or |z Rr Arnold's"
 W Shot without range though It was, inter was sure that it went home un- fr all the young fellows assumed be. zz lderment He continued. looking Eindly at him:
 |s You look now. I'll wager. about as pu used 10 look in the office when {pu called on the dean--by invitation rand were wondering inst where the mquiry was going 10 light"
 The dimple showed in the young Aan's cheek. T admit" he replied, Dat l didn't take advantage as 8ould of my university opportunities. fobably that is why I have to earn a z# Wenaous livelihood boosting the Only Peerless Fireless Stove By the way, I've you ever seen the Fireless in ftion? Just the thing for the army! al!s a long-felt want l should be N Rry pleased to demonstrate. We have
 stove here"
 he colonel grinned responsively. You do it very well" said he. Cant " let me into the gamer" z.z.z 7s5 here was the slightest waver in E promoters glance, although he
 He'd brilliantly as he answered: I'll Re 1t into consideration. but-will 2u excuse me? want to speak to
 Mercer about the stove"
 he moment he had removed his aaole young presence Birdsall ap- pached his employer. It had been a llleult quarter of an hour with the
 'ectiye. Vague instinct warned him
 to touch the subject of Miss Plth; he felt in no way assured
 put anything else. The result had
 en that he had fidgeted in silence.
 the accumulated flood could no
 ger be held.
 ye found out one thing" exploded
 dsall, pulling in the haste of his ut
 ance. The boy is on the prem
 s"
 Think so?" was all the colonels
 Rwer.
 m sure of 1t. Say, overheard
 ger talking down a speaking-tube.
 What did he say?"
 LII Talked French. damn himl But
 whats gorge?"
 Throat"
 Nhat's cupillo gorge?"
 oure he wasn't talking of a car
 kef"
 tlayoe. wouldn't swear to it.
 pariez francais little bit.s
 iu you hear any other noises!
 gre were they?"
 ffsail thought ne had heard other
 ss' and that they were down cellar
 anyhow. colonel, I'm dead-to
 's sure those guys are giving us
 s'un b get us out of the house
 .or getting our men in now and
 "'s the house. It's me fer the
 me the colonel was rolling Bird
 information around in his mind
 NdFu the echo of efune m the flag