The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-08-05
ALERT PATSOs TtREUsIJ
gloom. Mary CROPPED her way.

lclJ along us ali Dut unseen surface
At the farthest corner, her numbeJ
fingers touched what they sOught-tht
Intel of a door
II was the garages little back door
! giving on the alley, behind the
grounds. For one suicidal moment
/ she thought this back door was locked
! But it was only stuck from long dis
use She threw hE whole fragile
/ A shower of dust and spiders webs
! Cascaded down upon her head But
the door quivered at the impact
| She heard wholesome of them
Lamars. And again she cast herself
against the door This time it flew
wide; with a whining of hinges and a
| Clatter of falling debris; and the rush
I Of her onset drove her half way across
the alley. outside
Darling back TO close the door be
hind her, the old woman cast fearful
| look up and down the alley. The coast
was clear. lncoa.iHently Mary took to
her heels
Max Lamar chung doggedly to the
coat corner that protruded from the
garages front door. He heard muf-
fled noises from within. But they were
so faint and the door was so thick.
that he could not classify them. Nor,
indeed. had he time to. For, present
ly, June reappeared around the corner
of the big house With her were a hat
less and rather annoyed-lCOking WON
an in a morning gown and a highly
interested butler
Madam. | am very sorry to disturb
you like this. But We have chased a
thief into your garage, as Miss Travis
has probably explained to you. have
hold of this corner of the fugitiveS
coat, as you see Will you let me
break the lock of your garage door
and get in? OF course. I'll pay"
IF ! may suggest" said the woman
in frigid politeness. 1T might be better
to go into the garage by the back door,
before breaking my locks. Had that
occurred to you. Mr. Detective?"
If | let go of this coat-Miss Ira
Wis. will you hold the coat corner for
me while go around to investigate?
Please"
Why, yes" quaveringly assented
June, taking hold if the cloth, along
side Lamar's own grip. III do my
best I'm pretty strong"
AS he disappeared. June pressed her
face close against the door.
Mary" she whispered eagerly;
and Mary! Mary"
No answer. Then in a moment, the
sound of a key in the lock- The door
swung open. The woman OF the house
stood in the garage threshold. June
found herself holding the corner of the
empty coat.
"She-she is gomez" stammered
June, her temples pulsing and buzzing
with swift relief.
Yes" snapped the woman, "she
got out of the coat and then out of the
back door. Your detective friend is
exploring the alley for her I'm going
to watch him pick up clues. 1t is
quite amusing. Almost as amusing as
Field day at lunatic asylum"
A new terror beset June: the coat
that she still held, was a menace. She
began to realize this: Lamar would
assuredly seize upon it as clue. From
the makers name. he could in time
trace its ownership to her
Shn H.
the label With a jerk she tore it
away and thrust it into the front of
her dress.
She heard Lamar returning. and
she carelessly dropped the coat across
the sill OF the open door.
"Well?" queried June. interestedly,
as Max came in sight around the cor
ner OF the garage. What news of
the Yelled Woman"
Got clean away" he reported. sulk-
lily. mo trace of her"
He caught sight OF the coat lying
where June had dropped it, His look
of chagrin frightened to one of keen
eagerness. He snatChed the coat from
the greasy floor and twisted around so
as to bring the inside of the neckband
into view. And again his face dark
ened.
Clever woman" he muttered
Even the tailor's label is gone Well, |
there's only one thing left to do. I'll |
take this coat to police headquarters |
and have Allen send a man around |
with it to every tailor in the city. |
One OF them is bound to recognize it.
And well catch our woman that way. |
before another days ended"
They left the grounds and gained |
the sidewalk.
Il want to thank you ever so much.
Miss Travis" he said. for being such
A brick; and helping me as you have,
today. But for your showing me
where YOU had seen the Yelled Won
IN. should never have gotten on her
rack. II was splendid of you"
1t wasn't" she contradicted, Il was
glad to be OF any help. When | was
hanging on to that ridiculous coat
'orner, like grim death, felt quite a
heroine. But"
There's another thing" he said.
lesitatingly. A thing hate like blue
poison to say, but it's got to be said.
Vii you try TO forgive me, In ad.
Iance?"
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