The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-01-22

have heard of his father, the owner Of
the Emporium"
"Oh, yes. I've heard of his father and
OF him too
Then you must see at once that you
are entirely mistaken in this matter
you see. young lady. the fact is that
even il you were introduced to Miss
Turner by young Mr.. Glider this same
Mary Turner herself is an ex-convict,
and she's just been arrested for MUIR
der"
Murder the girl gasped.
Yes. You see. If there's mistake
about you you don't want it to go any
further-not mite further. that's sure.
So, you see. now, that's one Of the rea-
sons why ] must know just who you
are"
you should have told me all about
this horrid thing in the first place"
Now the girls manner was transform
ed. She smiled wistfully on the in
spector and spoke with simplicity
that was peculiarly potent in its effect
on the official.
MY name is Helen Travers West"
she announced.
Not the daughter Of the railway
president?'
YES the girl admitted. "Oh, please
don't tell any one" she begged pretti-
~. "Surely. sir. you see now quite
plainly why it must never be known
by any one in all the wide. wide world
that have ever been brought to this
perfectly dreadful place-though. you
have been quite nice Please let me
20 home" She plucked minute
handkerchief from her hand bag. put
it to her eyes and began to sob quietly.
The burly inspector Of police was
moved to quick sympathy.
That's all right. little lady," be ex-
claimed cheerfuily. Nov, 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 yes
terday"'
The girls sobs ceased. After final
dab with the minute handkerchief she
leaned forward little toward the in
spector and proceeded to put a ques-
ton to him with great earnestness.
Twill you let me 60 home as soon as
I've told you the teenty little know"
YES" Burke agreed promptly. with
an encouraging smile. He added as
one might to an alarmed child. mo
one is going to hurt you, young lady,"
well, then. you see, it was this
way" began the brisk explanation.
"Mr. Glider was calling on me one
afternoon, and he said to me then that
he knew very charming young wom-
an whO"-
Here the speech ended abruptly, and
once again the handkerchief was
brought into play as the sobbing broke
forth with increased violence. Pres
emily the girls voice rose in wall.
"Oh, this is Observation-Disclosures 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 innocent.
But his well meant attempt to assuage
the stricken creatures woe was futile.
The sobbing continued.
I'm afraidv' the girl asserted dis
mally. I'm afraid you will-put me-
in q cellr'
I "Pooh!' Burke returned calamity.
"Why, my dear young lady, nobody
in the world could think Of you and
cell at the same time-no, indeed!'
"Oh, thank your
Are you sure you've told me all You
know about this woman"
. "Oh. yes! I've only seen her two or
three times" came the ready response
"Oh. please. commissioner! Won't
you let me 60 homer" s... 49,.
The use of title higher than his
own flattered the inspector. and he was
moved to graciousness.
"Now. you see." he said in his heavy
voice, yet very kindly, mo one has hurt
you-not even a little bit, after all
Now. you run right home to your
mother"
The girl sprang up joyously and
started toward the door, with. final
ravishing smile for the pleased official
at the desk.
1t was at this moment that Cassidy
entered from the opposite side of the
office. AS his eyes fell on the girl at
the door across from him his stolid
face lighted in grin. And, in that
same instant of recognition between
the two the color went out Of the girls
face. The little red lips snapped to-