The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-31

just done. Inen MS second tnOugnC
seemed to approve 1t.
This Is a trap OF the Clutching
Hand, Walter" he whispered, adding
tensely, 'and we're going to walk right
into it."
"But, Craig" I 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 q cabinet
across the room.
From one shelf he took out small
metal box and from another a 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
l 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 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 ?"
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
H. MrS. IaylOr lodge.
He looked at the woman in open.
mouthed astonishment. 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 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 it 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 thundered curtly
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.
"Mr. Bennett says for you to write
out what 1t 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.
81 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 Milton's out
ragged dignity. Bennett did not allow
him that coveted privilege. This up
start could not usurp It.
He reached over and seized the boy
by the arm, and swung him around
till he faced q sign in the corner on
the wall.
Seer" he demanded.
The sign read. courteously:
"No Smoking In This office-PIease.
"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.
flee 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
trouble.
Bennett was still studying the black
bordered card when she greeted him.