The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-21
WESTERLY AND HIS PAL
BY vANE THOMPSON.

A step sounded on the path and
girl 1.-the and brown and gypsy-look
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 shoul.
der in rough grasp The other COW
cred Westerly with gun and kicked
him into wakefulness.
Caught you. haven't we?' jeered
one OF them.
There was fash OF silver stars
beneath coat Iapels 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 II you want
to---and your pal here, call herself
Jane Doe. II 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 1t over at headquarters" And
Westerly and the girl we're hurried
to waiting motor car and whirled
cityward.
Westerly watched the girl with
growing curiosity. She did not look
like a criminal, although the detec-
tives insisted upon calling her French
Mary. She sat close Tipped with an
air OF aloofness that puzzled her CON-
panions.
AS Westerly studied her profile he
noted that underneath the. golden
tan was clear white skin, her fea-
lures were regular, the contour OF
her face exauisitely 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 q superb emerald.
Westerly's eyes widened. The
story Of the Redman emerald had
appeared In every newspaper, to-
gether with the list OF missing jewels.
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
naughty gesture.
Please do not touch me again" she
requested. R
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 its close-lippet
mouth and quiet gray eyes too long
! for when Westerly encountered hel
gaze she blushed hotly and turned
away.
They reached headquarters ant
soon faced the chiefs keen scru
| tiny. a a
| What the dickens, men," he be
gan, and then became watchfull!
silent. E a
| slippery Wlckes and his pal
French Mary-wanted for the Redmar
robbery" announced the detective
promptly. II
"Yep-caught with the goods on
Show the chief your emerald. ny
lady!"
The girl laid her little soiled hant
on the chiefs big one.
is this the Redman emerald" sh'
coolly said. I've worn 1t for years
1t belongs to me-!
Go on" he said to her, tell mi
who you are and how you happene'
to be caught?"
| The girl laughed musically. why
/ am Cynthia Redman." she said.
knew this man must be innocent o
the robbery, for this afternoon m
fathers coachman made full cor
fession Of the crime and restored tn
stolen property
The crestfallen detectives locke
upon Westerly as a remaining pro
to their official dignity.
Shall we run this fellow in?" on
asked.
"Oh. ruin yourselves In for a pair Q
numskulls." snapped the chief Can
you recognize one of your own polio
commissioners
Westerly, at your service,
grinned the dusty man. Il was tr!
ing to find the Redman place-wante
to do little sleuthing myself"
AS the chief went out with the tw
detectives Westerly faced The girl.
THANK you for trying to nelp me-
he said sincerely. lss6a ~
"And thank you for assisting me,
she returned. a
we really were pals, after all
said Westerly in tone OF deep sati
faction.