The San Francisco call., 1913-10-08

while before. you see that, don't
you2'
'Oh. yes. yesr was the instant
agreement You should have told
me all about this horric thing in the
first place" Now the girls manner
was transformed. She smiled visit
fully ON the inspector, and the glance
of the blue eyes was very kind,
subtly alluring. Yet in this unbend-
ing there appeared even more de-
cisively than hitherto the fine quail
ties In bearing of one delicately nur-
tured. She sank down in a chair by
the desk and forthwith spoke with a
simplicity that in itself was somehow
peculiarly potent in its effect on the
official who gave attentive ear.
MY name is Helen Travers West,
she announced.
Burke started a little in his seat
and regarded the speaker with new
difference as he heard that name ut
tered.
Not the daughter of the railway
presitient?" he inquired.
Yes" the girl admitted Then,
anew, she displayed a serious agita-
ton over the thought of any possible
publicity in this affair.
"Oh. please, don't tell any one," she
begged prettily. The blue eyes We're
very imploring. beguiling, too. The
timid smile that wreathed the tiny
mouth was marvelously winning. The
neat gloved little hands were held
outstretched. clasped in supplicatiou
Surely, sir, you see now quite plainly
why 1t must never be known by any
one in all the wide, wide world that
have ever been brought to this per-
fectly dreadful place-though you
have been quite nice.' Her voice
dropped to note of musical prayer
fulness The words were spoken very
softly and very slowly, with intona-
tions difficult for a man to deny.
please let me go home" She plucked
minute handkerchief from her hand
bag, put 1t to her eyes. and began to
sob quietly.
The burly inspector Of police was
moved to quick sympathy. Really,
when all was said and done. 1T was
a shame that one like her should by
some freak of fate have become in
volved in the sordid, vicious things
that his profession made it obligatory
on him to investigate. There was a
considerable hint of the paternal in
his air as he made an attempt to offer
consolation to the afflicted damsel.
That's all right, little lady," he
exclaimed cheerfully. Now, don't
you be worried-not little bit Take
it from me, Miss West. Just
go ahead, and tell me all you know
about this Turner woman. Did you
see her yesterday
The girls sobs ceased. After a final
dab with the minute handkerchief, she
leaned forward a little toward the
inspector, and proceeded to put a
question to him with great eager
ness.
aWill you let me go home as soon
as I've told you the teeny little
know"
yes Burke agreed promptly. with
an encoura ging smile. And for a good
measure of reinsurance. he added as
one might to an alarmed child: mo
one is going to hurt you, young lady,"
We'll, then, you see, 1t was this
way began the brisk explanation.
..Mr. Glider was calling on me one
afternoon, and he said to me then that
he knew a very charming young
woman. who
Here the speech ended abruptly,
and once again the handkerchief was
brought into play as the sobbing
broke forth with increased violence.
Presently, the girls voice rose in a
wall
sOh. this is dreadful--dreadful" In.
the final word, the wall broke to
moan.
Burke felt himself vaguely guilty
as the cause of such suffering on the
part of one so young. so fair so In
nocent. AS a cu1prit, he sought his
best to afford a measure of soothing
for this grief that had had It's source
in his performance oT duty.
That's all right. little lady" he
urged in a voice as nearly mellifluous
as he could contrive with its mighty
volume That's all right. / have to
keep on telling you. Nobody's 60
ing to hurt you--not a little bit Be-
lieve me. Why, nobody ever would
want to hurt Sou.''
But his well meant attempt to as
suage the stricken creatures woe was
futile. The sobbing continued. With
it came plaintive cry, many times
repeated, softly. but very miserab1y.
"Oh, dear! oh, dear!"
isn't there something else you can
tell me about this woman?" Burke
inquired in desperation before the
plaintive outburst. He hoped to dis
tract her from such grief over her
predicament.
The girl gave no least heed to the
question.
"Oh, I'm so frightened" she gasped.
Tut, tut!'' the inspector chided.
Now, ten you there's nothing at
all to be afraid Of
Continued Tomorrow