Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-03-19

conclusive evidence that she had en-
countered some untoward fate. Every
possible change was rung upon the ex-
cited query in the hectic headline: |
where is Paige Carew?"
Rudolph Van Vechten, prominent |
clubman and well-known society IA
vorite, the missing girls fance, had |
been signally eyasive In his replies.
The interview with him was quoted IN |
full. and the abusive comments made !
| It appear as II he were at the time dis !
tressed to the verge Of insanity.
A recent celebrated abduction case
was summarized, and certain similari-
ties between It and Miss Carew's
evanishment were played up strong
the deliberate intention OF course be
| Ing TO insinuate that the girl had met
with a like outrage.
In short. so adroitly was the whole
thing worded that tho Sphere in no
way committed itself; and however
Miss Carew might reappear. and what
| ever the subsequent explanation, II
would be good for another front
page" story, and the Sphere would
have nothing to retract.
Van Vechtdh, white with rage,
| CRASHED his teeth. CHANGING up TO
ascertain whether he was the target
OF too many curious eyes, and discoy-
ering that he and Tom we're once more
alone, he gave vent to hushed but
heated expression OF his feelings.
That" grltted he, mutilating the
sheet with vicious jab OF his fist, is
damnable. II that meddling little re-
porter were here I'd thrash him within
an inch OF his life. Lord. won't Uncle
Theodore rage and tear his hair
when he sees It? Believe me. old chap,
there1l be something doing now.
!. Alexander! Where did that
boy go?"
Alexander was upon the scene al
most as II by magic, his mien one OF
childlike innocence.
Van Vechten instructed:
Telephone the Kenmore garage and
have Ramley fetch my touring car
here immediately-the largest one"
Ensconced in one OF the clubs
booths. Alexander soon got the gar
age and next Ramley. whom he thus
: addressed:
Say, you Ramley hick. your boss
wants his biggest buzz-wagon at the
Powhatan, c. Q. D. J'get it? .
Watts that7 Who? Me? Well.
I'd rather be fresh kid than picked
mutt. Beat It, youse, and don't get
pinched on the way. else youse1l be
chasin' annuder Job"
Whereupon he forestalled further re-
partee by speedily hanging up and re-
Stunning his occupation of lurking, un'
observed but strictly vigilant, In the
ofing.
That Ramley not only got the i'm.
port OF Alexander's message. but ap.
, preciated its urgency as well. was
proved by his prompt appearance.
This beats hunting taxis every
minute or So" Van Vechten explained
20 Tom. land Ramley might as we'll be
r earning his wages. III Just keep him
I at hand for emergencies"
Let Ramley go; I'd rather run the
= machine than listen to you talk, any
y how" returned Tom, candidly. "A
4 fellow might have chance to think
The offer was considered seriously
and. to Toms satisfaction, favorably.
Perhaps" Van Vechten returned
1T might be as we'll not to have to-
many witnesses in case anything yer.
d private occurs; even the best of Ger
II yants-including Barnicle, OF cours
y can be made to talk. II cleyerl
manipulated"
Alexander went to fetch Toms me
toring gear from the cloakroom locker
and Ramley was dismissed.
Under Toms expert guidance tn
huge machine glided silently over I
Fourth avenue, across Union squar
to Broadway, and down that bus
channel. as II II we're held within tn
speed limits only with the utmost dlG
, Guilty. Arrived at the New street o
n fees, Tom remained with the motto
7 while Van Vechten FASTENED to hi
Z uncle.
The Man OF Iron. II was quickl
learned, had already seen the Sphere
article. And something was alread
doing too. Outwardly entirely u
moved, ironlike, infieXible, shown
nothing OF the annoyance that stirre
beneath his adamantine crust, he ha
pulled this wire and that one. with Il
result that the Spheres entire loo
stan, from the city editor on dow
to the newest cub, we're solicltous
specializing upon the chances OF Ian
he ing new Jobs in the extremely like
wv, event that their present ones wou
av- terminate next payday. A strikir
md tribute. this TO the Man OF Irons ia
ere reaching power; for In all the wi
BILE world no other authority could so ha
ore shaken the apparently impregnab
and strength OF this great journal
ess Moreover Uncle Theodore had
r. ready very explicitly cabled his pr
cipsl Paris and London represent
un- lives, who had means of gathering
lew telllgence beyond the scope either