The Huttig news., 1912-01-27

when bis gaze fell on a slim little fig
IRE in the trimmest of dove-colored
gowns. sitting in the fifth row off the
center aisle Instantly his last pre-
tense of attention to the play van
ished Keeping his eyes on the gray
curves of the girl in the fifth row, he
Quilted his post at one side of the
house and walked slowly to the main
exit. whence he watched her until the
curtain fell on the first act Mean
while, he scrubbed on card. slipped
a liberal tip into the receptive hand
Of an usher. and indicated the object
of his interest. When the curtain fell
on the first act, the usher hurried
down the aisle, and presented the
card to the girl in gray.
IF Miss March read the young
woman will spare a few minutes &c
Rritz. of Headquarters, she will con
fer favor and serve her friend, Mrs.
Missioner"
Dorothy gathered her wr7p, glasses
and program quickly and followed the
usher to the back OF the theater. The
youth led her to the famous detective
whom. though she had heard Of him
through Doris Missioner, she beheld
for the first time.
You wished to see me-" inquired
Dorothy. It was banal question. and
a flush tinged her cheeks as she re-
allied its superfluousneSs could not es
eare the greatest detective In New
York. But Britt seemed not to notice
It, ard the simple directness of his
manner put the girl at her ease.
81 took the liberty, Miss March he
said pleasantly, because | saw you
across the orchestra. and need
short course in social know edge"
His smile robbed the reply of flip
pancy.
Fancy" said Dorothy. She was so
utterly at sea as to the detectives
purpose she could think of nothing
else to say save: 81 fear you have
sought poor teacher"
We'll, | don't know now Britz re
turned looking at her with respectful
admiration. you see, you're a soci-
ETY. girl and | know rothisg of Sc
ciety. and there's something I wan
to know-something | ought to
know"
IF there's anything I can tell you
Mr. Britt, I'll be glad to DO So" Dor
othy volunteered Especially if II
will help you to find Mrs. Missioner's
diamonds"
I'm not sure 1t will" said Britt ~
may, however, save me from seakinf
them in the wrong place. You SCENE
to enjoy the play, Miss March
This shift of subjects was so at
rupt that If Dorothy's breath had no.
already been coming in catches she
might have gasped 1t was eviden
detectives We're more original tha'
society men. She wondered absent,
If the type was worth studying.
why, yes her hesitating answer
came. q believe It's considered orr
of the best hits of the season Yer"
elevating, you know, and-well, differ
eDt''
Modern. Miss March ?"
1T has two periods The first deal
with the life of today. the secon'
harks back to the early Victorian p,
Rod with, understand, an abrupt TT
turn to the present"
She was chatting quite easily wiz
the detective now. Had she hoe
reared in Mulberry street instead
on Murray Hill, she could not hay
felt more natural
Now. this society sui ject-tv the
way. Miss March Britz switche'
again, lis there as much di ference
between social lie then and now"
"Oh. a great deal should say
Her eyes twinkled f0f course, can
not speak with suthority-from per
sonal observation.
Il wouldn't ask you TO tell ME any
thing atout Ward McAilister from per
sonal observation Miss March sal
the s,euth. His gallantry on occa ior
was the wonder Of the Central Office
Dorothy ooked alarmed Could Il
be great detectives wasted time or
compliments, too? But side glance
al the detectives serious expression
treasured her It was manifest ever
TO a debutante he had no idea OF ma
King an impression along that line
She laughed frankly and looked al
him sgain in the friendliest way
81 know you don't want to ask me
about anything so recent as the Span
ish war" she said, NOW, do you?"
"Candidly. | don't" he rejoined
ITO tell you the plain truth. dom
know exactly what | wish to ask you
nor how tc ask it. but have an ide.
You can help me and am sure yoa
will for Mrs. Missioner's sake
And Miss Ho comb's?" asked the
girl eagerly She, TOO. you know. is q
dear friend of mine"
And Miss Holcomb's, answered
the headquarters man warmly. LIE,
me say, tco. my dear young lady. =
one old enough to ne your-your-"
Don't say my brother. Mir. Britt,
interposed Dorothy mischievously. -
-T-well. don't really see how can
he sister to ANYBODY else" She felt