davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

tossed her wrist Bag into the ferthest
corner on the hall floor. Then she
hurried back to the anteroom, tore her
hat OF and pulled her hair away.
Next she overturned two chairs, one
after the other with a bang, ard stag
gered wildly into the private office,
gasping
Mr.. Lamar! Mr.. Lamar! Quick"
What is it," cried Lamar and Far
well in chorus, jumping up and run
ming toward her.
"A man came in," painted June. He
snatched my handbag-threw me OFF!
He's gone!"
Farwell was already in full pursuit
of the imaginary thief, and at June's
insistance Lamar promptly joined him.
This was just what June was wait
ing for. She ran to the paper-strewn
desk, seized the coveted receipt, gave
1t a quick, keen glance, and hid it in
her dress.
Then her eyes On the door. she hur-
ried to the safe. It's door was open,
as Farwell had left 1t, when he took
out the Gordon papers to show to
Lamar. With trembling fingers she
snatched up a bundle of bank notes,
stuck those in her dress also, and
started back to her place.
Then she was scourged on by still
another mad impulse. Going to the
table she picked up a couple Of sheets
of plain letter paper, folded them to-
gether and tore them into rude circles.
Her eyes cleaned oddly as she picked
up a pen and, sitting down, began to
print something on one of the circles.
Looking over her shoulder at every
other letter, she finished her printing.
Then she put the plain white circle on
the dark blotting pad, got up, ran to
the safe and hung the printed circle on
the knob. With a sigh Of satisfaction,
she went back to the anteroom and
collapsed into a chair, resuming her
al. of fright and exhaustion.
During their wild-goose chase Lamar
and Farwell met the returning secre-
tary and they all came down the hall
together, talking excitedly.
While they were talking, Lamar,
true to his trade, was looking; SO it
was he who found June's bag in the
dark corner Of the hall.
Here's the bag, anyhow" he ex-
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

ner mouth, the hall doo' was tried. A
moment later there was a crash of
spllntered glass and Gage peercd into
the Office through the Jagged opening
his determined elbow had made. lie
saw no one, however, for the very
good reason that June and Gordon
were Hattening themselves against the
wall on the side nearest the door.
Gage then decided 10 reach through
the opening and unlock the door from
the inside. June, catching a glimpse
Of his entering arm, slipped quickly
10 the desk and picked up the hand
cuffs. then tiptoed hurriedly to the
door as Cages hand CROPPED for the
key. An instant more and she had
deity snapped n OF the handouts
around Cages wrist and with trem-
bling fingers snapped the other on the
door knob.
June caught her wrist bag and
gloves from the desk and, signaling to
Gordon 10 follow her, unlocked the out
cr Office door and slipped into the cor
rider.
As they hurried on-with Gordon a
bit in the rear-June ~nervously thrust
her right hand into its glove; she
didn't intend to have Gordon or any
one else see that ~throbbing Red Cir
Gle.
Outside the Office building June halt
ed and looked up and down the street
in search Of a taxicab. Presently one
appeared and she held up her hand to
stop it. AS 1t drew alongside the
curb she and Gordon got in and drove
away.
"All right, so far" said June. Now
for our next move"
Look" exclaimed Gordon, clutch
ing June's hand, unconsciously press
ing its Red Circle. Look! There's Far
well! Farwell, just ahead Of us! Good
Lord! He's with Lamar"
Don't worry" whispered June, re-
turning the pressure of his hand reas-
suringly. ITS going to be all right
couldn't have happened better! III
get them both, now! I'm going to
jump out and join them, and | want
you to stay in the cab and wait for
me a little way up the street. Or, no,
the park is better"
Lamar and Farwell, deep in CONVEX
did not notice the sound Of
footsteps behind them, and so had no
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

, claimed. The man must have dropped
it when he ran! See what Santa
Claus brought for a good little grill"
he called to June, waving the bag be-
fore her as he entered the Office.
"Oh-thank you, Mr.. Lamar! l knew
you would find it for me II any mortal
could! I'm a million times grateful to
you!"
Let me go home with you" pleaded
Lamar.
oh, no, really-rn be perfectly all
right by myself, answered June.
Anyway, | shall insist on taking
you down to the door"
"All right" said June, reluctantly.
Lamar stood looking tenderly after
June for a moment, ard then he went
back to rejoin Farwell.
AS he entered the door he collided
with Farwell, who, wild-eyed and pant
ing, gripped him by the arm and half
dragged him tc the table Of tie inner
office.
The Gordon receipts gomez he
gasped.
At the same moment. Lamar saw
the white circle-it startled him most
unpleasantly. Then Farwell pushed
him toward the safe.
See" he cried. I'm robbed!
They've taken a bundle Of bank notes!
Read this thing" AS he sp Ike he
pulled the printed circle or the safe
knob and thrust 1t into Lamar's hands
What Lamar read was this:
"The money will be put TO a good
use by the Circle Lady"
He was ~speechless. and could only
stare, w%ide-eyed, at the paper.
Speaking dazedly to himself, rath
er than to Farwell:
'SuspiciCr points to Miss Travis
but that's impossible! lnpcssihle!"
He sat d5wn and pulled the tele
phone toward him. He gave the mum
Der Of his own office.
AS soen as Gage recognized his
voice, the clerk began pouring fcrti
his tale about the Mysterious wSmaI
who handcuffed him to the deer
where he might still have been II tw'
clerks from other offices, hearing hi
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29
ELEVENTH INSTALLMENT
SEEDS OF SUSPICION

In Lamar's office, Gordon stood witt
his back to the locked door, white
faced, gasping. For the moment, al
least, he was safe-and his eyes never
left the face of the girl.
Now" cried June under her breath
tell me everything won't you"'
Gordon shook HIS head.
81 can't" he said. I'm crate
full to YOU than ! can aver make you
know-you've saved my life; or rather,
my liberty, that counts for more; but
honestly, | mustn't tell you why
they're after me-not now, anyway!
L"
But why not?" interrupted June.
Every minute is precious, Mr.. Lamar
is my friend-he calls me his first as
s%istant.' I'm anxious to help you'll
can help you-if you'll tell me every
thing, but how can | be Of use at all
when you keep me in the dark like
this?'
Her earnest eyes were full of plead
ing, and reluctantly Gordon found him
self weakening.
You're a brick" he said, TO be in
terested in me at all, and I'm terribly
grateful"
Then do as | s%ay-begin at the be-
ginning and tell me-"
How do we know but that some
one is in that next room? DO you
know where the other door leads tor
Wait a minute said June quickly.
I'm look in the outer office, Mr.. La
mars confidential clerk may be there,
Don't move till | come back"
On her way to the door, June hur-
riedly laid her gloves and wrist bag
on Lamar's desk, half-subconsciously
noting, at the same time, n pair of
handouts that lay there. With n little
shudder she passed them by, and,
slowly opening tho Office door, peered
cautiously out.
There, with his back to her, sat
Gage, tho confidential clerk, busily
writing and s%erenely unconscious that
anyone was looking at him. June soft.
ly closed and locked the door.
Gordon gave a nervous glance
around, then began:
The whole thing in a nutshell, is
this.
The Farwell corporation retained
me so hat they might legally dctraud
their employees of cooperative profits
when | found what they were W
to, | rebelled and tried to expose tn,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

should turn to Juns, the girl who had
done so much for him? He Wouia
have been less jubilant if he could
have guessed the new complications IN
which she was just then entangIed'
After leaving Gordon in the park
June had gone straight home and up
stairs to her boudoir. There were
still signs of the hurried return 10
town-an empty trunk, and some 81,
ticles of clothing lying around; ana
she wondered idly what Mary had
been about, not to put the room IN Oet-
ter shape.
June never liked a messy room 50
| she went right on into her den, De-
fore taking off her hat.
With a sigh of relief, and a smile
she took the package of bank notes
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

idea Of June's approach until she came
abreast of them as they reached the
entrance door of Farwell's office build
ing. June nodded and smiled at La.
mar. who shook hands eagerly, his
face radiant. Then he turned to Far.
we'll and introduced him to June.
How do you do, Mr.. Farwell?' said
June in her most innocent manner
Il wish you'd come in with us, Miss
Travis" Lamar said, "Farwell is go.
ing to show ne the Gordon papers,
want your advice"
As they entered the office anterocm
Lamar turned to June,
Can you mako yourself comfortable
here for q few minutes" he asked,
offering a chair. "Farwell and | will
So over the preliminaries by our.
selves. in the inner omce-we won't
bore you with unnecessary details"
June was alone, save Cor a very
young secretary who was seated at a
Ctoh SNaihpllS lcNleIs'
If only that miserable secretary
would 90 away" she thought.
Presently he did that very thing.
June jumped up at once. Getting a
chair from the corner of the room, she
carried it to the door, jumped lightly
up and applied a pair of very pretty
but very curious eyes to the trans,m
Lamar and Farwell were seated al
a table. Papers were strewn every
where; but Farwell had separated Cor
dCn's securities receipt from the 9th,
ers and was just in the act Of handing
ii to Lamar.
There's the receipt" June heard
hin say. 1t means prison if we car
capture him"
Lamar let the paper drop to the
table before him, He hated the bust
Less in hand,
June, who loved him, read all this
in his face.
Here is where | come in again.
she said to herself.
In a flash she saw how it could al
be done, Jumping lightly down, she
landed on the floor en- the tips of he,
toes and slipped out into the hallway
With a quick look up and down. sh'
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

Grinning at Me-"
out of her dress. A dreamy look-a
very sweet look-came into her eyes
as she thought how much good that
money was going to do. In her mind
was a vivid picture Of the hard-work-
ing men in Farwell's foundry, whose
cooperative profits had been taken
away from them.
"Thev shall have their money, just
the same" she said to herself. If |
was stealing when l took it, it was in
a good cause"
With the dreamy smile still light
ing her face, June stood lost in happy
thought, when suddenly she heard
Mary's familiar footsteps, and her look
changed to n of alarm.
She thrust the papers into the lear
est hiding place-a table drawer, and
just managed to get it shut as Mary
came in from her Cwn o with hor-
ror written in every line OF her face.
"Why Mary" cried June, what on
earth is the matter with you? YOU
look as If you'd seen a ghost!" h
Il have, dearie-I have! It's worse'n
that! Obi" wringing her hands and
crumpling her face up into a mask Of
tragedy. What will we ever do now,
my lamb! We're in such a lot Of trou-
ble."
Nov, Mary darling, be calm" she
babe the nurse, land tell me all about
tim sure it isn't as bad as you
think"
1T is, baby, it's worse! It's that
awful mani"
What awful man." June's face went
white. you can't mean"
"Yes," went on Mary huskily, "it's
him! That Smiling Sam Eagan we
thought we was rid Of for good'n' ALL"
mot here" painted June in stark
| terror.
Hes right here in this house-we
brought him with us! He made Yama
put him into the big wardrobe trunk
and when l started to unpack it, there
he was, with his old cunning sneaking
face grinning at me as sassy as could
bel"
Good h%eavens!" cried June, at her
wits end. Will trouble never end?
Where Is he now"
up in the attic" said Mary. And
I've had to feed him and make him
comfortable. l was so 'fraid he'd start
a rumpus."
What about mother" queried June
fearfully.
Mrs. Travis don't know a thing, as
yet. But it's only a question Of time,
unless we can get him away from here
right off. He isn't disposed to make
things any easier for us than he can,
help, either. | heard a big noise UP,
there just new. l guess he stumbled
over something. Then l heard him
moan-or, maybe, swear!"
There! Hear that?" cried June.
and Mary simultaneously. Then they
chung to each other, expecting. thew
knew not what.
AT that moment, unconscious of all
that was gcing on inside the house.
Lamar slowly passed by; his head
bent. his face haggard and drawn. He
had to ccme there intending to see,
June; to face her with the facts: and
TO ask Ter to tell him what she knew
about all the wretched business. But
when he reached the house he some.
now found that he loved her leo much
to put her to the test.
oh, it can't belt can't be- he
said aloud. She is as holy as-as NV
own Eother. She is above SUSPICION
AS far above suspicion as a saint in a
o~athedral, And yet-and y~et-eyery
circumstance points to her as-as-n
An idea flashed into his mind. e,oo.
tritying him to quick decision.
Tomorrow" he muttered hale =.
dread half in triumph, yes, thai IL i
tomorrow will tell! Tomorrow will
prove the TRUTH
lend OF nth lNSTALLMENT.l
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29
SYNOPSIS.

Circle jim" Borden. named from a red
birthmark on his hand, has served his
third prison term one In each Borden
generation, always a criminal, has borne
the Red Circle mark Jim ana his son
Ted are the only known living Of the
BOrdcns. Man Lamar, "A detective, Is de
tailed 10 keep an eye on Jim Juno Travis
and her mother meet Jim as he Is re-
leased. Jim and Ted are Killed Next
day Lamar sees the Red circle ON a WON
ans hand outside a curtaiucd automobile
June. marked with the Red Circle. robs
Grant, "A loau shark. Mary, Juuc's nurse,
discovers her theft and tells her she Is
Circle Jim's" daughter, though Mrs,
Travis does not know May tricks La
mar. Lamar visits Smiling Sam Inns
old crime partner Sent TO SurftOU by
Smiling Sam. Alma La Sale rpbs the
guests at a ball Mary points her ont TO
Lamar, who follows her back TO town,
captures her with the jewels and goes AZ
ter Smiling Sam IN the edge Of a elm
pursucr and pursued engage IN deadly
combat Gordon "A fugitive, roscucs -
mar. and june IN turn saves Gordon from
arrest Smiling Sam secs the Red Circle
on June's hand. tells her he knows her
secret and follows her 10 the city.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-29

crooked deal-so of course they've had
it in for me ever since.
There was only m thing to do-to
tell the workers about 1.-THE men
who had expected to be r~tfit-sharers
and were dupes instead, SO | got a
crowd of them in the courtyard enc
DAY and told them the whole thing.
"Scme Of 'em believed me, most OF
them didp't-or at least, were DOUBT
ful. In TIE middle of it, the Waterman
and a nAtrolman or two came to see
what Il was all about, broke up the
crowd win aight sticks, and pushed
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26

church. He stated that he had been
called to be Assistant Secretary OF
the Educational Jubilee of the Meth
odist Church. The Educational Jub-
lice, he explained, was movement
inaugurated by the board of educa-
ton of the Methodist church to
standardiZe Methodist colleges
throughout the land by providing
them with an endowment sufficient
to. make them self sustaining. Z he
movement contemplates the raising
of thirty-five million dollars for
this purpose, of which twenty-five
millions remain to be raised.
Rev. Kamphoefner was visited by
a representative Of the board of edu-
cation recently and was earnestly
invited to engage in this work. 1t
was stated that his success in rails
ing, s2,S54.0O for the endowment
of Morningside College last year in
the local church when the eXpecta-
lions were only about $1,500.00 had
attracted the attention of the lead
ers of the church. Also the fine re-
suits achieved in his canvass
through two campaigns last spring
in southeastern Iowa in the inter
est of Iowa Wesleyan College, To-
Gated at Mt. Pleasant. Possibly his
long record Of an eight year pas
torate here, and the building of the
new church-worth practically $40
000.00-also had something to do
with the choice.
Gloom had settled upon the con-
gregation as the announcement of
the termination of the pastorate
was made. Many eyes were glisten-
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
An Outside View.

Cedar Falls Record: The Webster
City Commercial League, organized
for the purpose of advancing the ma
terial prosperity of that community.
is about to sing it's swan song. In
terest in it's existence has dwindled
to such an extent that meetings call
ed for the purpose of electing officers
have been attended only by few OF
the faithful and action has been
postponed. Just why Webster City
lacks the spirit of progress necessary
to maintain successful commercial
organization is unknown. It's citizens
are progressive as rule and all are
anxious to have their community dc
well, but they seem not to have hit
upon a medium for expressing their
wishes in that direction.
The Record believes that the fail
ure of the organization may be ac-
counted for primarily because of the
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26

fact that it lacks a home. Meetings
have been held in the city council
chamber and no social, features have
been incorporated in the organiza-
tion. In order to make commercial
body cohesive certain amount of
sociability must be introduced. Bus
mess men must come to know each
other better in order to work togeth-
err. INSTRUCTED efforts in factory
promotion cost Webster City people
a lot of money years ago and this
had it's effect. However, ifNWebster
City expects to grow it must do so
because of a united community spir-
it and this spirit must find express
sion in some organization.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
A new field
OF ACTIVITY
Rev. G. H. Kamphoefner Resigns
Passionate of the Methodist
Church in This )
City.
LAST SERMON NEXT SUNDAY
Will be Assistant Secretary of the
Educational Jubilee of the
Church.
LAST SERMON NEXT SUNDAY

In the church announcements Sat
urday "a hint was given Of an unus
ual announcement to be made at the
Methodist church on the following
day, but it is certain that no one
outside of the pastors family was
prepared for the announcement mads
by the pastor to large congrega-
tion Sunday morning.
After the announcements had
been made Rev. Kamphoefner an
nounced that at the service next
Sunday morning he would preach
his last sermon as pastor of tho
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
John Carey left a sample Of corr

John Carey left sample of corn
at this office yesterday grown on the
Hiram Carey place this season by the
latter's son, the tenant upon the
farm. This farm is near mud lake
northwest of Jewell and there was
no more rain fall in that locality
this summer than around Webster
City. notwithstanding that fact
the corn crop is good one and is en-
tirely beyond danger from frost.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26

ling and on some faces the tears
flowed freely. But the tenseness was
lessened as the pastor announced
| that, although his headquarters Of
ficially would be in Chicago, he was
permitted to hold his residence
wherever he chose, and it had been
decided that the family would con-
tinue to reside in Webster City, If
a suitable house could be found. An
audible sigh of relief escaped from
the congregation at this point.
The new work is a two year ap-
pointment and may be extended. 1t
will take Rev. Kamphoefner over
practically every part of the United
States. A campaign will be put on
in behalf of some particular college
and will be seen to completion. Then
will come a short breathing spell
and visit home, followed by sim
liar campaign for some other school,
He may be gone at times as long as
|siX weeks.
It, is likely that the first campaign
will be in behalf of a college in
southwestern Kansas. The annual
Northwest Iowa conference meets
next week at Spencer, and Rev.
Kamphoefner is chairman of the
board of examiners, so his presence
there is necessary. But he will not
lstay until the conference is over
for he is urged to move his family
and make his arrangements to take
|up the new work just as soon as
possible.
Four other men throughout the
church have received similar ap-
pointments, one from Northwest
Iowa conference, the Rev. w. p.
Blackstock, of Britt, one from Des
Moines conference, one from South
Dakota conference, and one from the
Indiana conference.
Rev. Kamphoefner and his esti-
hihblC 1dIlily, dic Aclu III IlSu Cd
TEEN by the local Webster City
church and it is with a deep feeling
of regret that his successful pastor
ate is now to close. Much could be
said of what has been accomplished
during these eight years--the large
increase in membership and in Sum
day school enrolment; the new
church building-one of the best in
Northwest Iowa conference-ail this
under his patient, consecrated Chris
tian leadership. The signal honor,
for it is indeed such, which has come
to him is appreciated by his church
and we feel sure he will be an honor
to the new work upon which he now
soon enters; The church and COM
munity at large, where he holds so
large a place, will unite in wishing
him Gods speed.
Later--The friends of the FAM
lily will be glad to know that the res
idence of the KAphoefners here has
been assured, as the Mckee home on
Boone street has been secured.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
Petitions Filed.

The Webster City Savings Bank
has filed a petition in the county
clerks Office asking Judgment against
Perry Turpin and Annie Turpin for
$29696 claimed due on note and
mortgage.
o. T. Henryson appeals from the
benefit assessment in the Knudson
drainage district No. 149.
w. R. Bond appeals from the bene-
fit assessment in the Wright-Hamil-
ton joint district, known in Wright
county as the No. 1873 and in Hamil-
ton county as the Bige No. 1873.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
Real Estate Transfers.

H. H. Nicholson to M. G. Nickel
IA, Is, 16, blk II, w
F. & Co. addition, w. C.-$5, 100000
A. j. Brewer and VT to J. +. B
Svenson-wd-und one-half of wall
Mime l.. Wise and hush to Han
nah Schuneman-wd-lot z, bill
'104, D. & P. r. r. addition, w. c.
100000.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
Family MAY Move Here.

Mr.. and Mrs. w. c. Halvorsen and
son Arthur are contemplating NOV
ing from their present home in Wool
stock to this city, Mr.. Halvorsen hav-
ing accepted a job of carpentering
here. The Halvorsen family have
lived in Woodstock for seventeen or
eighteen years.