The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-14
NEXT WEEK, 1.-THE MAXWELL MYSTERY"


only because Miss Manners chose
that juncture to furnish him
with what was unquestionably
for both Of them the most stag
gering surprise of that surprising
night.
Take both, II you please"
Had she schemed to strike him
dumb in CONSERVATION, her sue
cess must have afforded Sally in
tense satisfaction. Since she
hadn't, her personal .consterna-
tion was momentarily SO over
powering that for the period OF a
long minute neither of them NOV
ed nor spoke.
Then, perhaps a shade the
quicker to recover, Sally became
herself again, before recognition
dawned upon Blue Serge.
She explained with absolute
composure: II said, take both
rooms, please. I'm going to Bos-
ton, too"
-"Oh!" he replied, stupidity.
She nodded with determination
and glanced significantly aside,
with a little toss of her head, to-
ward the middle of the lobby.
There's central office man
over there" she observed
obliquely, assembling considera-
BILE uncertainty as to what a
central office man really was,
and why.
OF sudden the man was shak-
en- by spasm of some strange
sort. But whatever retort he
may have contemplated was
checked by the tapping of an i'm
perative pencil on the window
ledge.
Say, I'm busy. Which are you
going to take now-de luxe room
Or"
Both"
Blue Serge, without troubling
to verify them, seized tickets and
change and turned squarely to
her.
Now that's settled" he in
quired amibiably, "how about a
bite of supper? The station res
taurant is just downstairs"
Thank you," she agreed with
severe little nod.
Logging his bag, he led the
way with the air of one receiv-
ing rather than comforting a
favor.
Curious how things fall. out,"
he observed, cheerfully,s isn't
it," 80
Yes" ~
81 mean, your popping Up like
this just when I was thinking of
you. BY the way" he addsd with
a casual air, speaking Of coinci-
dences, it sort of triple-plated this
one to have your friend from
central office hanging round so
handy, didn't it7 II he's in
sight, why not be a sport and tip
me OFF,"
81 don't see the necessity"
Sally returned, biting her lip,
yet"
mot from your point of view,
perhaps-from mine, yes. Fore
warned is fortunate, you know"
II dare say"
you won't put me wise?"
Certainly not"
well, of course, one can guess
why"
"Can one?"
"Why, forgive me for calling
your bluff, it wouldn't beA safe,
would it? OF course, I'm a sure
enough bad maitland all that.
But you must be a bird Of my
feather, or you wouldn't flock to-
gether SO unceremoniously."
Burning with indignation and
shivering a bit with fear of the
man, she permitted herself to be
drawn to the very threshold Of
the restaurant, where Sally drop
ped mechanically into the chair
held for her, wondering as much
at herself for accepting the situ-
alton as at the masterful creature
opposite, earnestly but amiably
comforting with the head waiter
over the bill of fare.
There, Il fancy that will do.
But hurry it along, please"
Very good, sir-immediately."
The head waiter ambled off,
and Blue Serge faced Sally with
an odd, illegible smile.
AT last" he Kissed in the APP
proved manner of melodrama,
I'VE are alone!"
She wasn't able to rise to his
irresponsible humor. Her hands
were twisted tight together in
her lap as she demanded with
tense directness:
What have you done with
them?"
He lifted the ironic eyebrow.
Them" A. q.
1.-THE Jewels. I saw you steal
watched you fromqthe din
ing room, through the folding
doors" /. pa
What have you done with
them?" Ut
"Oh, the jewels?" he said with
curious intonation. why, they're
in my bag"
"What-what did you do with
him?" the girl stammeDed.
"Our active little friend. the
yegg? Why, he went away. con-
siderately enough - upstairs and
out through the scuttlelthe way