Smyrna times., 1913-01-29
Ned BrOmley'S
Assurance
He Got Into His Own
Trap. but Got
Out of 1t
By ESTHER VANDEvEER

at the signs opposite. Ned was a good
natured, devll-may-care sort of fellow,
always ready to crack a joke or put
himself out to do any one a favor. Low
ering his eyes. he saw an elderly gen.
tleman sitting opposite him looking al
him, Ned thought. rather disapproving.
". AS Ned read his thoughts they were
something like this:
"The young man opposite, judging by
the fashionable cut of his clothes, is
passing that age when his tailor is his
most intimate friend. He looks as if he
would swear at the least provocation
and probably CANDLES"
OF course, Ned made this up, but the
fact remains that disapprobation was
plainly marked on the gentleman's
countenance. Ned, who was full of Old
Nick, was minded to shock the man
Leaning forward, he said confdentially:
Il know a place where there's a small
game going on. wouldn't mind taking
you around if you like"
The man gave him a whitening look,
turned, showing as much of his back as
possible and made no reply. Ned took
the rebuff good naturedly and was
thinking how to follow uD his shocking
process without running the risk of be-
ing turned over to the police when the
gentleman pushed the button. the car
stopped, and he got out. When Ned
next turned his glance to where the
gentleman had been sitting he saw a
fat wallet lying on the seat.
''That comes of no button on the hip
picket" said Ned, who had once lost a
pocketbook from that cause; and, tax
ing up the wallet, he left the car and
ran after the owner. Unfortunately,
the man was not to be seen. The next
thing to be done was to examine the
contents to learn if there was any ad-
dress within. Ned came upon a singu-
lar bit of information. He found a card
on which was written: This is the
body of Archibald Crane, president of
the -th National bank. In case of ac-
cident, illness or death telephone the
bank, also my house. No. 742 Lincoln
street"
''How easy 1t is,'' unused Ned, ito
read character from the appearance.
Any one would know that was just
the kind of man to put such notice in
his pocketbook But what's this?"
From another division of the wallet
ne took some bank bills folded to-
gether. There were FIVE of them
three twenties, fifty and ten. in all
$120. There was another roll Of ones
and twos. making up 81 more.
81 reckon I'll give the old gentleman
a chance to worry a bit" mused Ned.
"I'll telephone tomorrow at his home
after he's gone to the bank or to the
bank after he's gone home. Perhaps
I'll get some fun out of the old crank
after ALL"
So he pocketed his find and thought
no more about it till the next morning
when he fancied the man be wanted
was not at home; then after looking
in a telephone directory he called uI
Mr.. Cranes residence. A very soft
feminine voice asked, what is itY
'Ts Mr.. Crane at homer"
mo; he's gone to the bank"
Perhaps you had better call up th'
bank and ask II he Is there"
After some questioning as to tn
cause Of this suggestion the lad,
concluded to do as advised. after whicl
she called the telephone number tha
Ned had given her. He was waitin
and said:
81 didn't wish to scare any one. so
asked you to call up Mr. Crane to as
sure yourself that be is all right. Pv
found his body"
Found his bodyl My goodness gri
cious!"
"oh. you know he's all right"
Eyes"
"wer. what shall do with hi
bOdy?"
what does all this mean? who al
your
'T'm Edward Bromley"
There was a pause when the voiC
asked where Mr.. Bromley was. an
he replied that be was at the Unive
sity club and asked whom be had Il
honOr OF speaking Win anu Fecelfe
the information that he was speakir
with Miss Hester Crane. Mr.. Arch
bald Cranes daughter.
WELL" continued Ned. i've four
a pocketbook with about S12O and
card giving instructions what to
with Mr.. Cranes body II found des
or something"
you don't mean it,"
Il certainly do"
Il know papa is a bit peculiar but
didn't think he would put anythi
like that in his pocketbook.
Pm in quandary about the retu
Of the money"
How so?"
We'll. saw Mr.. Crane sitting OPT
site me in a trolley car looking at
rather severely. My neck scarf did
seem to please him or a snake rims
wore on my little finger. thought
snock him and asked him II he'd I
onr