Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-18
Story No. H-Fangs of the Tattler
is this Miss Hsrtley-Mona Hart

phone transmitter gave a wondering
affirmative to the question over the
wire, noting that it was woman's
voice which had spoken--a voice
which held suggestion Of hysteria.
my name is Burton" continued the
voice, MRS Amos Burton. You don't
know me, but have heard of you and
your friend, Miss Davenport, and
Ii wish you could help mel l am
in desperate troublel' The hysteria
in the speakers voice was rising to
a shrill crescendo. Don't say you
cannot! If you refuse me, / don't
konw what shall do"
Mona glanced at her watch.
"If you will give me your address,
Mrs. Burton, Miss Davenport and !
will see you at once" she said
briskly.
II was shortly after II o'clock when
the hired motor of the two girls drew
up before handsome residence, set
we'll back in yard, on which wealth
had lavished much attention. Their
cards received an immediate invita-
ton from the butler to follow him to
Mrs. Burton's boudoir--a tastefully
furnished and essentially feminine
room on the second floor. Mrs. Bur-
ton rose from chaise lounge to meet
them. The newspaper description OF
her had not been exaggerated. Her
age could not have been more than
IS years, and she looked ever, younger
in her lacy negiigee and boudoir cap.
under which CLEANED heavy masses Of
dull bronze hair. Her eyes showed
sleepless night, and her fingers
worked nervously as she shook hands
with her visitors, and motioned them
to chairs near her.
She need no urging to plunge into
her story. Evidently II was the up
permost subject Of her thoughts.
II sent for you," she began, "be-
cause need the services OF someone
upon whose discretion and honesty ]
can absolutely rely.
IF you read the newspapers" she
began again, you must know some
thing OF my married life, and my
husband. The papers printed columns
about Us both at the time Of our we'd
ding. Mr.. Burton is much older than
myself, although we were both de-
voted 10 each other. But he is fright
fully jealous, unreasonably so at
times, for swear that l have never
given him cause to doubt my loyalty.
And now--it looks as though circuni-
stances had conspired against me, and
that | shall be branded in his eyes as
q designing creature, unworthy OF his
love, through absolutely NO fault OF
my own"
go on, please" encouraged Mona.
Mrs. Burton flushed. ITO 60 back
a short time in my life. I must tell you
that before my. marriage was on
rather good terms with George Aili-
son. Young artist. In fact, had con-
ditions been different the affair might
have developed more seriously. As
il was, II was definitely at an end even
before | received Mr.. Buttons offer
OF marriage. You see, Mr.. Allison
ruined himself and his career with
drugs. and about the time / became
engaged, lie disappeared utterly.
A few months after my marriage l
received letter from him, dated from
South America, saying he was very III.
Then another letter came, telling me
he was IN . critical condition. ana
asking il ! could send him some
money Such an appeal, OF course,
would have destroyed any love ior
him, even il there had been any left,
for It was easy enough to read be-
tween the lines Of the ravages OF his
own dissipation. But sent him
some money. rather fooiishly, per.
haps--and then forgot the incident
until yesterday"
She paused again, and continued
more slowly and deliberately.
Yesterday afternoon ! received
card from . man styling himselt ABB
ner Runkle, attorney, with request
for an interview on q vital subject
Reluctantly ! received him and he
Mortified me with the announcement
that my letters from George Allison
wererin the possession OF newspa'
per, and about to be published--tiri'
less | could raise enough money to
buy them back. OF course, thought
he was shooting at random, but when
| searched by desk i fopnd that hs
had. indeed, spoken the truth, Tor al
Of my letters had been stolen.
Mona's face contracted grimly.
II see" she said grimly. "Ant
what Is the name of the entcrprisins
newspaper in the casc?"
"The Tattieri" Surely, you mus
know il. 1t has acquired tremen
dous reputation by publishing thu
most sensational scandals Of an,
ranev In This section--affaifs which