The Washington herald., 1916-06-04

NJ
O MY name is Burton" continued
the voice, Mrs. Amos Burton. You
don't know me, but have heard you and your
friend, Miss Davenport, and II wish you could
help me I am in trouble desperate trouble !" The
hyStera in the speakers voice was rising to
shrtll creScendo. Don't say you cannot If you
refuse me, | don't know what l shall do :"
Mona glanced at her watch.
III you will give me your address, Mrs. Bur-
ton. Miss Davenport and will see you at once"
she said brisky.
1t was shortly after eleven o'clock when the
hired motor of the two girls drew up before
handsome residence, set well back in yard,
which wealth had lavished much attention.
Mrs. Burton needed no urging to plunge into
her story. Evidently it the uPpermost subject
of her thoughts.
81 sent for you" she began, because need
the services of someone upon whose discretion
and honesty | can absolutely rely. If you read
)he newspapers you must know something of my
married life, and my husband. The papers printed
columns about us both at the time of our wedding.
Mr.. Burton is much older than myself, although we
were both devoted to each other But he is fright
fully Jealous, UnreasOnably so at times, for I
SIvea~ that | have never given him cause to doubt
m" LOYALTY And nOw-it looks as though circum-
stances had conspred against me, and that
shall be branded in his eyes a designing crea-
ture, unworthy of his love, through absolutely no
fault of my own"
Go on. please" encouraged Mona.
Mrs. Burton flashed To 90 back a short
time in my life. ! must tell YOU that before uly
marriage I was rather good terms with George
been different. the affair might have developed
more seriously. As it was. II definitely at an
end even before | received Mr.. BurtOns offer Of
marriage. You see, Mr.. Allison ruined himself
and his career with drugs. and about the time
became engaged, he disappeared utterly. \ few
months after my marriage. ! received q 1-ttrr
from him dated from South America, saving he
was very i'll. Then another letter came, telling me
he was in a critical condition. and asking if
could send him some money. Such appeal Of
course would have destroyed any love for him.
/ rbara had hoo, 1af+ for -
enough to read between the lines of the ravagcS
of his own dissipation. But I sent him
money, rather foolishly. PerhaPs-and then for
got the incident until Yesterday
She paused again, and continued more SLOWLY
and deliberately.
Yesterday afternoon I received card from
a man styling himself Abner Runkle, attorney,
with request for an interview on a 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 he pUbliShed-Unless I could
raise enough money to buy them back OF course.
l thought he shooting at random. but when
l searched nv desk found that he had. indeed
spoken the truth, for all of my letters had been
stolen.
MonaS face contracted grimIy.
1 see she said grimlv. And what is the
name OF the enterPrising newspaper in the CASE"
The IattIer. Surely, you must know it, It
has acquired a tremendous reputation by pub
fishing the most sensational scandals of auv
paper in this sectiOn-affair> which no one but a
society
have known about. Everyone has suspected for
months that The Tattler was being sunDIind with
its material by someone being received into the
bes. homes Of the city-and there have been ugly
rumOrS of scandal stories, even more sensational
than those it has published which were SUD-
pressed strangely at the last moment When | re-
Teived the proposition of the lawyer. Runkle l
could understand how this had been done and
that not the only victim which The TattIer
had caught in its tolls. He told me 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 a publication
would be to me, he had prevailed upon the editor
TO hold up the article. as he expressed it, until he
cOuld see vpIaining that it would mean con
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."
q can't I haven't got it, And there is no
way | can raise it without carrying the whole
wretched story to my husband"
You say the letters were stolen from your
private desk?" asked Mona thoughtfuIIy THAT
fact, at least should give US base from which
10 work. Who, besides yourself had access TO the
desk-and who knew the letters were there?"
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 are to help you! Have you a
maid?'
"of course-but Mimi is quite above sus-
picion, l assure you. | would vouch for her
devotion"
"Can we talk to hero asked Mona.
A few minutes later Mona flung half dozen
searching queries to the demurc maid. who met
them all without much as change of color In
the end, Mona forced to abandon the amateur
inquisition, and giving a signal to Mary, arose
reluctantly as Mrs Burton dismissed the servant.
Il am afraid you are right about Mimi" said
Mona, as she stood, surveying the room uncer-
tainly. She is either absolutely loyal and honest
one Of the most consummate actresses have
met"
A. they passed through the hall, Mona caught
a glimpse Of Minis face watching them wonder
ingy. In the lower hall, Mona uttered a sudden
exclamation. and started back to the stairs.
Il have forgotten my purse" she said hur-
Ticdy. Il can get Il, Mrs. Burtun-thanls"
~ the door % the houdor, Mona hesitated
q moment and then stepped suddenly into the
room. Mimi was rising from the telephone
Mona hashsd a quick glance, and that