The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-09

k@tM @l telephone transmtter gave a won IWtMaWI dering affirmative to the question &MW over the wire, noting that it lNNJ woman's voice which had spoken f<i\y a voice which held suggestion of NIN hysteria.
 N4y "My name is Burton" continued the voice, Mrs. Amos Burton. You don't know me, but have heard o you and your friend, Miss Davenport, and IT wish you could help me! am in trouble, desperate trouble 1" The hysteria in the speakers voice rising to shrill crescendo. Don't say you cannot If you refuse me, don't know what shall do !" Mona glanced at her watch "If you will give your address, Mrs. Bur- ton, Miss Davenport and will you at once" she said briskly.
 It was shortly after eleven o'clock when the hired motor of the two girls drew up before handsome residence, set well back in yard, on which wealth had lavished much attention. Mrs. Burton needed no urging to plunge into her story Evidently it was the uppermost subject of her thoughts
 q sent for you," she began, because need the services of someone upon whose discretion and honesty I can absolutely rely. If you read the newspapers you must know something of my married life, and my husband The papers printed columns about both at the time of wedding. | Mir. Burton is much older than myself, although were both devoted to each other. But he is fright fully jealous, unreasonably so at times, for swear that have never given him cause to doubt my loyalty. And now--it looks as though circum- stances had conspired against me, and that shall be branded in his eyes designing ture, unworthy of his love, through absolutely no ! fault of my own.
 Go on, please" encouraged Mona
 Mrs. Burton flushed. "To go back short time in my life, I must tell you that before my marriage was on rather good terms with George Allison, young artist. In fact had conditions been different, the affair might have developed more seriously. As it was, it was definitely at end before I received Mir. Burton's offer of marriage. You see, Mr. Allison ruined himself and his career with drugs, and about the time I became engaged, he disappeared utterly A few months after my marriage, I received letter from him dated from South America saying he was very ill Then another letter came, telling he was in critical condition, and asking if could send him some money. Such an appeal, of course, would have destroyed any love for him, even if there had been any left, for it easy of his own dissipation But I sent him money rather foolshly perhaps-and then for got the incident until yesterday"
 and deliberately
 Yesterday afternoon I received card from man styling himself Abner Runkle, attorney, with request for an interview vital subject. Reluctantly I received him and he mortified me with the announcement that my letters from George Allison were in the possession of news paper, and about to be publshed-unless I could raise enough money to buy them back. Of course, thought he shooting at random, but when searched my desk found that he had, indeed, spoken the truth, for all of my letters had been stolen.
 Monas face contracted grimly
 T see!' she said grimly. And what is the name of the enterprising newspaper in the case?"
 
 has acquired tremendous reputation by pub fishing the most sensational scandals of any paper in this section-affairs which one but person intimately acquainted in society could have known about. Everyone has suspected for months that The Tatter was being supplied with its material by someone being received into the best homes of the city-and there have been ugly rumors of scandal stories, even more sensational than those it has published, which were sup pressed strangely at the last moment. When re- reived the proposition of the lawyer, Runkle I could understand how thiS had heer md that was not the only victim which The Tattler had caught in it's toils He told that he had happened to drop into the editorial offices of the newspaper quite by accident, and while there had seen the proofs of the article about me, which were to have been published in this weeks issue. Knowing the injury which such publication would be to me, he had prevailed upon the editor to hold up the article, he expressed it. until he could see me-explaining that it would mean siderable loss to the papers circulation to stop the publication of such sensational story, and that if were willing to make up this loss, he thought it possible to get back the letters for me- He told me that it might be arranged for five thousand dollars, and he is to call tomorrow for the money"
 And you had planned to give it to him?" asked Mary.
 T can't! haven't got itl And there is no way I can raise it without carrying the whole wretched story to my husband"
 You say the letters stolen from your private desk?" asked Mona, thoughtfuly. That fact, at least should give us base from which to work. Who besides yourself, had access to the desk-and who knew the letters were there?"
 i'No one!" said Mrs. Burton promptly
 But that is impossible" demonstrated the girl. "The thief must have known. And we must find the thief if we to help you! Have you naid?"
 "Of course--but Mimi is quite above sus- picion, I you. I would vouch for her devotion."
 "Can we talk to her?" asked Mona.
 A few minutes later Mona flung half dozen searching queries to the demure maid, who met hem all without so much change of color In the end, Mona forced to abandon the amateur nquisition, and giving signal to Mary, arose reluctantly as Mrs. Burton dismissed the servant.
 T afraid you are right about Mimi," said Mona, she stood, surveying the uncer- ainly. She is either absolutely loyal and honest, pr one of the most consummate actresses have net"
 As they passed through the hal Mona caught glimpse of Mimi's face watching them wonder ngly In the lower hall Mona uttered sudden exclamation. and started back to the stairs.
 T have forgotten my purse' she said hur- iedly T get it, Mrs Burton-thanks.''
 At the door of the boudoir Mona hesitated
 moment, and then stepped suddenly into the oom. Mimi was rising from the telephone
 Mona flashed quick glance and saw that he girl was flushing uncomfortably.
 "To whom were you phonng?" she asked bruptly.