The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-08-13

This is trap or the Clutchink
Hand, Walter" he whispered, adding
tensely. land we're going to walk right
into it,
But. Craig" l demurred, that's
foolhardy. Have her trailed-any.
tbing-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 q 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.
did So stuffing 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 case. In the outer Of
flee Milton Schofield. 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 glance of scorn at the
! little dude" He was in reality about
fourteen years old, but was dressed to
look much younger
Did yon wish to see Mr.. Bennett ?"
asked the pyecoetous Milton. politely,
on -one hand. Sfile on the other he
made wrv ~ mace
"Yes-here ~ my card" replied the
woman.
II was deeply bordered in black.
Even Milton was startled at reading
it: 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 to her
name In the artistic coterie in which
she was leader, had sunk into a chair
and was sobbing convulsively, as only
"Weepy Mary" could.
1t was so effective that even Milton
was visibly moved, He took the card
in, excitedly, to 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 1t non
chalantly 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-
treme surprise, then anger. He
thought a moment.
Tell that woman to state her bust
ness in writing" he Numbered CURLY
at Milton
AS the boy 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 it is you want to see him
about" reported Milton indicating the
table before which she was sitting.
Mary had automatically taken up
sobbing with the release OF the ciga-
rette. She looked at the table on
which were letter paper, pens and ink.
Il 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 smiled. There was an
unmistakable odor Of tobacco smoke
about the room. He looked sharply at
the SON." and discovered the still
smoking cigarette.
1t was too much for Millions out
ragged dignity. Bennett did not allow
him that coveted privilege. This up
ceoie Souiu uoi uSuIp H.
He reached over and seized the boy
by the arm. and swung him around
till he faced sign In the corner on
the wall.
Seer" he demanded
The sign read courteously:
mo Smoking In This Office-Please.
"PERRY BENNETT"
Lego 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 Of
fee suddenly swung open and Elaine
Dodge entered
Gallantry vas Millions middle name.
and he sprang forward 70 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
Stinctiyely Elaiuo seemed IN acent