The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-02

came Tor mai CHOICE
But despite the poignancy of Mar
Fory's grief 1t gradually came over
her that she had q certain urgent
duty to perform. With a consider
able effort the brave-spirited girl re-
gained n semblance Of outward COM
posture, and went slowly down the
stairs to the gunroom. AS she ex-
pected. she found Captain Bracket
and his subordinate still discussing
the new developments of the case.
Going directly to the surprised de-
tective, Margery addressed him In a
low, constrained voice. II am very
sorry, Jenkins, that / was 80 rude"
she said apologetically. Il really
didn't mean TO doubt your word; 1t
was only that some of the things you
said greatly surprised me-"
That's all right, Miss Golden" an
gwered the somewhat confused off,
Ger. These strange doin's are
are enough to get on anyone's
nerves"
A rather embarrassing silence foi-
lowed, which was presently broken
by Captain Bracket. impatient to
again occupy his accustomed posi-
ton in the center of the stage.
III have a word with that woman
when the time comes" he said, turn
ing toward Margery. but right now
young Manley is the one that needs
watchin'. I thought maybe you'd feel
like takin' me down where he's
stayin' in your car.
Anxious to do anything which
might tend to clear up the harassing
doubts preying upon her mind Mar
gerry willingly acqulesced In this plan.
A little later the speedy, gray road
ster containing the determined po-
lice captain and the trouble-faced girl
drew up just around the bend of the
road beyond the Kicks homestead,
where David Manley had taken up
his abode since his abrupt departure
from the manor-house of his former
employer.
Suddenly Margery felt her heart
quicken as she saw a familiar figure,
with dejectedly dropping shoulders,
cutting across the fields in the direc-
ton of Seven Oaks Hill. The keen
eyed officer caught sight OF his
quarry at almost the same moment,
There's our man now" he said
quickly. land it's up TO us to keep
him in sight every minute"
Stealthily the slender girl and the
burly captain. slipping from cover TO
cover. shadowed the distracted Man
ley. who was apparently too occupied
with his thoughts to be at all on his
guard. He finally reached the sum-
nit Of the hill and made straight for
the lone bowlder, where on a previous
occasion the Laughing Mask had
mysteriously efuded the hotly pur-
suing police captain. His trailers
lodged into a nearby thicket and
hrea thlessly waited the outcome of
this strange procedure.
Nor had they long to wait. A few
tense moments elapsed after David
Manley disappeared from view be-
hind the bowlder and then another
figure emerged from In back of that
stone concealment. The features of
the newcomer were shrouded by a.
yellow and grotesquely laughing
mask. The elated police captain
turned to the startled girl crouched
at his side.
do you still think should discard
my theory about David Marley and
the Laughing Mask being the sarne
person." he whispered triumphantlv
II don't know what to think" came
the weary response.
= = p
Il
Through that opening the two
shadowers OF the Laughing Mask
saw him advancing toward a rose
mantied summer house at the end Of
shaded walk. They saw a graceful
girl, her fiower-like face agiow with
eager expectation, suddenly emerge
from the summer-house and run to
meet him with outstretched arms.
Then az the two figures met for a
moment In a close embrace sharp
cry of pent~up anguish burst from
the white lips of Margery Golden.
AS that soul-racked cry reached his
ears. the perfidious masker broke
from tho embrace of his companion
and stood gazing in startled surprise
In the direction from which 1t came.
At that moment thick-set figure
came catapaulting through the hedge
and bore down upon the Laughing
Mask like human cannon ball. The
eAasperated police-captain. realizing
he could no longer hope to take his
enemy by surprise, had staked every
thing on this sudden rush But ths
nimble- footed fugitive was off like a
sprinter trying TO beat n record. and
by the time he reached tho road ne
had gained wide lead over his lumb-
ering pursuer, who shortly gave up
the chase and slowly retraced his
steps, blowing like a winded truck
horse
This is the second time you've
harbored that criminal" he barked at
tho proudly erect young woman who
stood facing MarRery Golden, IAN as
an officer Of the law I give Won warn
ing 1t will be worse for YOU il you
don't tell us where he keeps himself
under cover
Il shall tell YOU nothing" answered
the openly defiant girl. your bully
ing threats do not frighten me in the
least, and 7 shall see that your In
suiting conduct is reported to the
proper authorities"
With this parting shot the unruf-
fed girl deliberately turned her back
on the raging police captain and. with
quiet dignity, made her way toward
the white pillard mansion. Nothing
remained for that utterly routed arm
OF the law but to withdraw from the
field or this disastrous verbal battle
with the best grace he could muster.
but already. In his somewhat limited
range of mental activity, he had de-
vised new scheme for trapping tho
elusive masquerader. whose imme-
date capture he was more grimly de-