The Dolores star., 1913-10-31

for ~ to gain the information that yoa
alone can give u. He will pay you
well. We have asked you to come up
here tonight to md out whether yoa
viii not accept this OFFER
WELL. she inquired In vsary -
thence, what 10 II you want ne 70 tell
your"
we want you." replied Mart. 10
tell u . number called up By NJ.
Standtsh early this evening"
He paused for her answer. The Oh
ers leaned forward.
Wanda alone was unconcerne6. She
was twisting the little bracelet on her
wrist and eyine II with new and hap.
riiv absorbed interest from . dossa
successive points Of view.
Miss Kelly" demanded Marx, will
you tell u that number or will you
notf'
why" answered Wanda with .
charminsly foolish smile Of Grass help.
lessness. Il really don't think I can
remember t."
II think you can" contradicted
Mark. You knew beforehand. from
Mr.. Blake. how much depended ON II.
You surely remember.v
That's So" acceded Wanda, seeming
to grasp the strength Of his argument
AZ by inspiration. II surely must. But,
you see. it's against the rules to tell.
Oh, gentlemen" she cried loneinsly,
'T'd Just love to help you out. Any.
thing could do. Anything at all. But
we're not allowed to give any informa.
eion like this. Oh. how I wish-!"
ri you were allowed. then" asked
Mark, you'd do II. wouldn't your
"That'd be different, OF course" she
smiled. But you see how I'm fxed-"
That's too bad" unused Mark. "os
course We can't ask you I, break the
company's rules. But IL 1t were not
against rules. you'd do 1t. would your"
oh. In . second! I'd be ever %
glad to; but. you see, orders are Or
ders. And"
And" chimed In Mark, luckily W
knew how faithful you are to your en-.
ployers. Here" taking q paper from
a heap on the table. rs an order from
your general manager. authorizing you
to give US all the help In your power.
Does that remove your scruples!"
For an instant she sat genuinely
dumfounded. One by one her defenses
were being shorn away. With . great
effort she strove to rally her pitiful
little forces to meet the new on.
slaught.
oh. then" she broke down weakly,
Il s'pose I'd better tell YOU"
Her surrender snapped the tension.
Blake nodded grim approval The 9th.
er listeners relaxed. Even Robertson's
hard mouth softened in exultation.
That's right" applauded Mark.
You won't be sorry for It."
Well" asked Mark. what was the
NUMBER"
The numberr' echoed Wanda ah.
sently.
Was It . district NUMBER" querisd
Mark. his face giving no sign Of any.
thing but desire to refresh her mem.
0fy.', - s~ = - .~A.- -
oh. yes!" cried Wanda, her eyes
brtghtenins. "A district number. Yes.
] remember that II was = district mum.
ber."
What exchange!"
A further futile ransscking Of the
mind.
Was It Msinr
She shook her head.
"Cleveland?"
"N-no."
"Takoma!"
Yes! Yes! Its all come back to
me now. sir. II was Takoma That
was II. Takoma. Cts Takomai"
"S7s Takoma." repeated Mark, while
Van Dyke ran . searching finger down
the list he held. You are quite cure,
Miss Kelly, that II was 67S Takomar'
oh. yes. indeed" Wanda assured
him In eager triumph. "67s TakomA
remember"
1T wasn't s76 Takomafs
oh. no. sir. 67S."
Mark glanced at Van Dyke, Who
shook his head. The cross-sxaminer's
tone grew all At once ~ cold - death.
you have been playing with 10 long
enough. Miss Kelly" said he. II let
It 80 on until was certain you meant
to lead u on . wild-sooss chase. Now.
II you please. we'll get down to bust.
ness!"
"Whyr asked Wanda In marveling
innocence. Wasn't that number the