The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-05-06

This is n trap OF the Clutchine
Hand, Walter" he whispered. adding
tensely, and we're going to walk right
into IT,"
But. Craig" ! %demurred, that's
foolhardy. Have her trailed-any.
t~hing-but-"
He shook his head. and with a mere
motion OF his hand brushed aside my
objections as he went to a 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 Goa pocket with excessive care.
Then he turned and motioned TO me
TO follow him out into the other room.
] did so, stufing my gait" into my
pocket.
Let me introduce my friend. Mr..
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 a nearby garage.
That forenoon Perry Bennett was
reading up a case. In the outer Of
fee Milton S~choheld. his office boy,
was industriously chewing gum and
admiring 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 boy.
Milton cast a glance OF scorn at the
little dude He was In reality about
fourteen years old, but was dressed TO
look much younger.
Did you wish to see Mr.. Bennett ?"
asked the precocious Milton, politely,
OH n hand. while on the other he
made a wry grimace.
"fes-here is my card" replied the
woman.
II was deeply bordered in black.
Even Milton was startled at reading
II: Mrs. Taylor Dodge"
He looked at the woman In open.
mouthed establishment. Even he knew
that Elaine's mother had been dead
for years.
The woman, however. true 10 her
name In the artistic coterie in which
she was leader, had sunk into n chair
and was sobbing convulsively, as only
"Weepy Mary could.
II was so effective that even Milton
was visibly moved. He took the card
in, eNcitedly, 10 Bennett.
There's a woman outside-says she
is Mrs. Taylor Dodge!" he cried.
II Milton had had an X.ray eye he
could have seen her take a cigarette
from her handbag and light IL non.
c~halantly the moment he was gone.
AS for Bennett, Milton, who was
watching him closely, thought he was
about TO discharge him on the spot
for bothering him. He took the card.
and his face expressed the most ex.
IRENE surprise, then anger. lie
thought a moment.
Tell that woman TO state her bust.
ness in writing" he Numbered curtly
at Milton.
AS the hoy turned to go back TO
the waiting room, Weepy Mary, hear
ing him coming, hastily showed the
cigarette into her sons" hand.
MIR. Bennett says for you to write
out what II is YOU want 10 see him
about - reported Milton, indicating the
able before which she was sitting,
Mary had automatically taken up
1obbing with the release OF the ciga.
.'ette. She looked at the table on
which were letter paper. pens and ink.
II may write here?" she asked.
surely, ma'am," replied Milton,
nt!ll very much overwhelmed by her
sorrow.
"Weepy Mary" sat there, writing
and sobbing.
In the midst Of his sympathy. how
ever, Milton shifted. There was an
unmistakahle odor OF tobacco smoke
about the room lie looked sharply AT
the son" and discovered the still
smoking cigarette.
II IA too much for Millions out,
ragged dignity, Bennett did not allow
him that coveted privilege. This up,
start could not usurp II.
He reached over and seized the boy
by the arm, and swung him around
TIL he faced a sign in the corner on
the wall.
"See?" he demanded.
The sign read, ~courteously:
mo Smoking In This otiee-Please,
"PERRY BENNETT"
Lego my arm" snarled the son
putting the offensive cigarette def
antly into his mouth.
There was every element OF a gaudy
mixup. when the outer door of the o.
nee suddenly swung open and Elaine
Dodge entered.
Gallantry was Milton's middle name
and he sprang forward to hold the
door, and then opened BENEFITS 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
looked at her curiously. Even after
Milton had opened BENEFITS door. she
could not resist another glance. In
~stinctively. Elaine seemed to scent