The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-02
WESTERLY and HIS PAL
BY vANE THOMPSON.

ing, paused to gaze down at him.
She was still regarding the sleeper
with speculative interest when two
men stepped quickly out Of the
thicket.
One Of them caught the girls shout
der in a rough grasp. The other COW
cred Westerly with gun and kicked
him into wakefulness.
Caught you. haven't WEI" jeered
one of them.
There was fash Of silver stars
beneath coat lapels and one Of the de-
tectives condescended to explain the
situation.
ITO begin with, Wickes," he said
coolly, of course you know what
we're after"
MY name isn't Wickes," returned
the other calmly.
"Oh. well, of course you'll deny It!
Call yourself John Doe If you want
to-and your pal here, call herself
Jane Doe, If she likes it better"
PAL" echoed the man and girl in
unison. Why, we are strangers"
Can it," said the detective with
a rude laugh. I've got your descrip-
tions here somewhere. You're wanted
for the Redman jewel robbery"
The girl uttered sharp cry and
then was silent.
Westerly laughed outright, but he
watched the girl with curious eyes.
"Oh, you come along. You can
talk it over at headquarters" And
Westerly and the girl were hurried
to a waiting motor car and whirled
cityward.
Westerly watched the girl with
growing curiosity. She did not look
like criminal, although the detec-
tives insisted upon calling her French
Mary. She sat close Tipped with an
air of aloofness that puzzled her COM
panions.
AS Westerly studied her profile he
noted that underneath the. golden
tan was a clear white skin, her fea-
lures were regular, the contour Of
her face eyquisitely dainty. Her hair
was a misty black cloud beneath an
ancient panama hat. Her skirt and
blouse of tan linen were muddy and
stained, and her little brown hands
were scratched and soiled. On one
finger blazed superb emerald.
Westerly's eyes widened The
story of the Redman emerald had
appeared in every newspaper. to-
he. no ;,x ,f v,,tcc
And this girl was wearing it openly,
brazenly.
One of the detectives laughed
harshly and touched the ring.
The girl drew her hand away with
1 naughty gesture.
requested.
What fine airs!" sneered the dis
comfited official. And what jewels
might you be wearing Mr.. John Doe?"
He turned to Westerly.
I'll show you when we face the
chief" said Westerly grimly.
The girl turned and looked at him
curiously Perhaps she studied his
clean-cut face with it's close-lipped
mouth and quiet gray eyes too long,
for when Westerly encountered her
gaze she blushed holly and turned
away.
They reached headquarters and
soon faced the chiefs keen scru-
tiny.
What the dickens, men," he be-
! gan. and then became watchfully
silent.
slippery Wickes and his pal,
French Mary-wanted for the Redman
robbery announced the detective
promptly.
"Yep-caught with the goods on.
Show the chief your emerald, my
LADY,"
The girl laid her little soiled hand
on the chiefs big one.
rs this the Redman emerald?' she
coolly said. I've worn it for years.
1t belongs to mel"
60 on" he said to her, tell me
who you are and how you happened
to be caught?"
The girl laughed unsteady. why
am Cynthia Redman," she said. 81
knew this man must be innocent OF
the robbery, for this afternoon my
fathers coachman made full con
fession of the crime and restored the
stolen property
The crestfallen detectives looked
upon Westerly as a remaining prop
to their official dignity.
Shall We run this fellow ine" one
asked.
oh, run yourselves in for pair OF
numskulls," snapped the chief. Cant
you recognize one of your own police
commissioners?
grinned the dusty man. Il was try
ing to find the Redman place-wanted
to do little sleuthing myself"
AS the chief went out with the two
detectives Westerly faced the girl.
Thank you for trying to help me,
he said sincerely.
"And thank you for assisting me.
she returned.
I'VE really were pals, after all.
said Westerly in tone Of deep salts
faction.
She did not contradict him.
They have been married FIVE years
and they are still pals, and always will
be.
copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)