The Dermott news., 1915-05-20

tensely. and were going to walk right into it."
 But. Craig" l demurred. that's foolhardy Have her trailed-any- thing but"
 He shook his head, and with a mere motion of his hand brushed aside my objections as he went to cabinet across the room.
 From one shelf he took out a small metal box and from another a test tube, placing the test tube in his waistcoat pocket and the small box in his coat pocket with excessive care.
 Then he turned and motioned to me to follow him out into the other room. l did so, stutiing my "gatt" into my pocket
 Let me introduce my friend Mir. Jameson said Craig, presenting me to the pretty crook.
 The introduction quickly over, we three went out to get Craig's car, which he kept at nearby garage.
 
 That forenoon Perry Bennett was reading up a ease. In the outer of fee Milton Sehodeld. his office boy, was industriously chewing gum and admirins his feet, cooked up on the desk before him
 The door to the waiting room opened and an attractive woman of perhaps thirty. dressed in extreme mourning, entered with a hoy  Milton cast glance of seoru at the little dude" He was in reality about fourteen years old. but was dressed to look much younger
 "Dld you wish to see Mfr Bennett" asked the preeoeious Milton. politely, on one hand, while on the other he made wry Erimace.
 sYes-here Is my card, replied the woman.
 t was deeply bordercd in black Even Milton was startled at reading it Mrs Taylor Dodge"
 He looked at the woman h open monthed astoaishment Even he knew that Elaines mother had been dead for years
 The woman, however. true to her name in the artistic cotcr3e in which she was leader, had sunk into a chair and was sobblng eoHFulsiyely, is only "Weepy Mary could
 IL was so effective that even Milton was yjsibly moved He took the card in, eXcitedly. to Bennett.
 There's a woman outside-says she is Mrs Taylor Dodge" he cried.
 If Milton had had an Nray eye he could have seen her take cigarette from her handbag and light 1t non chalantly tho moment he was gone
 AS fer Bennett. Milton. Rho vas watching him closely. thought he vas about to discharge him on the spot for bother,uE him. He took the card and his face expressed the most ox- treme surprise, then anger He thought a moment.
 Tell that woman 10 state her busi ness in writing. he thundercd ourtly at Milton
 As the boy turned to go back 10 the waiting room. Weepy Mary hear ing him coming. hastily showed the cigarette into her sons" hand
 Mr Bennett says for you to write out what it Is you want 10 see him about. reported Milton. indicating the table before which she was sitting.
 Mary had automatically taken up sohbinr with the release of the ciga- rette She looked at the table on which were letter paper, pens and ink.
 .I may write here" she asked
 Surely. ma am. replied Milton. still very much overwhelmed by her sorrow
 ~Weepy Mary" sat there. writing and sobbing.
 In the midst of his sympathy. how ever, Milton sniffed. There was an unmistakable odor of tobacco smoke about the room. He looked sharply at the son." and discovered the still smoking cigarette.
 If was too much for Milton's out ragged dignity. Bennett did not allow him that coveted privilege. This up- start could not usurp 1t.
 He reached over and seized the boy by the arm. and swung him around till he faced a sign in the corner on the wall.
 Sec" he demanded The sign read, courteously;
 No Smoking in This offce-Piesse. PERRY BENNETT"
 "Leggo my arm," snarled the son." putting the offensive cigarette def- antly into his mouth.
 There was every element of gaudy mixup. when the outer door of the ot- fee suddenly swung open and Elaine l Dodge entered. Gallantry was Milton's middle name. and he sprang forward to hold the door. and then opened Bennett's door, as he ushered in Elaine.
 As she passed "Weepy Mary" who was still writing at the table and cry | ing bitterly, Elaine hesitated and l looked at her curiously. Even after Milton had opened Bennett's door, she | couId mt rasist another glanea In