The Forrest City times., 1910-12-30

There was crowd at the money order window of the postofflce. Della waiting, with her application in her hand. looked about her idly for some thing to occupy her attention till her turn should come She found 1t not two feet away. In black. staring let ters which formed the words. Fifty Dollars Reward"
 Della did not look like a mercenary young woman but her eyes fingered long on the headline. as hungry child might look outside a bakers window viewing all sorts of gastro- homie temptations. with only a pane Of glass between. Fifty dollars" Della said to herself, and figurative- iy she smacked her lips.
 At the best of times, fifty dollars seemed like great deal of money to Della. Just now her need had magnified 1t far beyond it's usual pro portions. She was on the point of sending a money order for s350 to her brother Jack, stranded out in a western state. sick, forlorn and un- able to help himself The three dol lars and a half represented number : less little sacrifices on Delia's part She walked to and from her work to save carfare. She wore shoes whose soles were replaced each morning by new ones of pasteboard. deftly fitted Into place hy Delia's own fingers She had reduced her midday meal to rolls and glass of milk. and she grudged the dime she spent for that modest fare. Fifty dollars would bring Jack home Della turned her eyes to the poster and read on'
 Fifty dollars reward will be paid for information leading to the ap prehension of Leonard Bunting, last seen near the village of Porter Falls, Pa. He Is five feet eleven in height weighs about a hundred and sixty and has noticeably heavy eyebrows The tin of the little finger of the right hand Is missing When last seen he wore closely cropped brown mus tache. His manner Is gentlemanly."
 Accompanying this description was likeness of Mr Leonard Bunting. which Della studied with a fascinated curiosity. He was rather good looking young man for an evildeer, she decided. as far as It was possible to judge from his counterfeit pre- sentiment. which was somewhat blurred and indistinct. But this thought was Immediately lost sight of In the pleasurabe pretense that she was about to send Jack a money order for $50. gained by surrendering Leonard Bunting to justice. Then Jack would be home by the first of the week. It cost her a pang when she came back to reality. and slipped the blue slip which stood for exactly $350 into the envelope.
 She had waited so long at the win dow that she would not have had time for much in the way of lunch con. even If her funds had been am- pie. She gave her order. Rolls and milk" Della was young and healthy, and paid the penalty in a elamorous appetite. She sniffed hungrily and felt a little faint "If l get that $50 reward" thought Della, with a whim. sical smile. "I1l save enough of 1t out for good sirloin with plenty of gravy Then she became aware that the young man next her was holding the menu card in her direction. Have you seen this?" he asked cour- teously.
 I've given my order, thanks. '' Della began her reply unconcernedIy enough. but jumped before she fin hn :, her was slightly mutilated. The end of the little finger was missing.
 The young man did not notice her start He resumed his study of th> card. and moment later gave his order. Apparently an uneasy con. science had not decreased his appe. tite.
 Meanwhile, over her rolls and milk Della was stealing glanees in his ii. rection. No; there could be no mis- take. Dark. with heavy eyebrows and gentlemanly manners. and more significant than all. the missing tin of the little finger. The dfsappear. ance of the brown mustache changed his appearance slightly, yet he bore sufficient resemblance to the rough cut in the postofiiee to be easily Identified. Delia's heart thumped as she made her plans.
 She must finish her rolls. of course It would not do 10 arouse his SIS. picions And then she would slin out quietly, and lay the ease before the big policeman at the crossing Ue was a blue-eyed policeman. She would tell the policeman. and the policeman would do the rest and presently the $50 would put in an appearance. and Jack would come home IL was extraordinarily simnle
 The red-haired waitress introduced new factor. Della had felt strong interest in the red-haired waitress ever since the morning when her swollen eyelids were eloquent of long weeping, and Della had asked her if anything was the matter. The wait. ress had explained that she had dropped tray that morning and tho