The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-24


tensely, "and we're going to walk right
into it,
But, Craig" 1 demurred, that's
foolhardy. Have her trailed-any-
thing-but-"
He shook his head, and with mere
motion OF his hand brushed aside my
objections as he went to a cabinet
across the room.
From one shelf he took out small
metal box and from another 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.
1 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 a 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 you wish to see Mr.. Bennett 2"
asked the precocious Milton, politely,
on one hand, while on the other he
made wry grimace.
"Yes-here is my card" replied the
woman.
1t 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 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
If Milton had had an X-ray eye he
could have seen her take cigarette
from her handbag and light it non
chalantly the moment he was gone.
AS for Bennett, Milton, who wa.
watching him closely, thought he wal
about to discharge him on the spo
for bothering him. He took the card
and his face expressed the most ex
IRENE surprise, then anger. HI
thought moment.
Tell that woman to state her busi
ness in writing" he Numbered curtl.
at Milton.
AS the boy turned to go back t
the waiting room, Weepy Mary, hear
ing him coming, hastily showed tn
cigarette into her SONS" hand.
Mr. Bennett says for you to writ
! out what it is you want to see hir
about" reported Milton, indicating tn
table before which she was sitting.
Mary had automatically taken u
: sobbing with the release of the Gig;
! rette. She looked at the table o
which were letter paper, pens and inl
81 may write here?" she asked.
Surely, ma'am," replied Milton
still very much overwhelmed by he
sorrow.
"Weepy Mary" sat there. writin
!. and sobbing.
In the midst of his sympathy, hoy
ever, Milton smiled. There was q
unmistakable odor of tobacco smof
about the room He looked sharply
p the son." and discovered the sti
smoking cigarette.
. 1t was too much for Milton's OF
. ragged dignity Bennett did not allo
him that coveted privilege. This u
start could not usurp it.
He reached over and seized the b.
!. by the arm, and swung him aroui
! till he faced sign in the corner {
e the wall.
. "See?" he demanded.
The sign read, courteously:
"No Smoking In This office-Pieai
L @PERRY BENNETT"
- Lego my arm, Snarled the Sol
m putting the offensive cigarette de
ie antly into his mouth.
There was every element of a gau
g. mixup. when the outer door of the
O. fee suddenly swung open and Elai
Dodge entered.
is Calamity was Milton's middle nan
er and he sprang forward to hold t
ep door, and then opened Benefits do
as he ushered in. Elaine.
is AS she passed "Weepy Mary" W
IS was still writing at the table and C
re ing bitterly. Elaine hesitated a
looked at her curiously. Even afi
O. Milton had opened Benefits door, 6
l could not resist another glance.
stinctively, Elaine seemed to see
IT, trouble.
1t. Bennett was still studying the bla
bordered card when she greeted him
:. who is that woman ?" she ask
- still wondering about the identity
the niobe outside
At first he said nothing But fnal
seeing that she had noticed 1t.
= handed Elaine the card, reluctantly
Elaine read it with gasp The L
Y Of surprise that crossed her face
= terrible