The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-12-09

dead man had always robbed the poor
and -u ..rl.. IN" ,uI which oy'rtuuN
u.m-,y.u though this included the
carrying away az q not lurnu7t'rah.e
portion Of his worldly wealth \ gam
bier and government inspector met
q similar fate. The complex machln-
cry ur the law was set in motion and
,ar-r,acltrg efforts We're made for On"
rounding u- OF this somewhat too au-
tonrrin Laughing Mask.
one at these efforts included visit
on Euorh Golden by Lieutenant hibhy
and three OF his men from the d"iec-
tive bureau Golden. the lieutenant
pointed ont. was in a position Z" help
m" authorities out Of prcdicament
by telling all he knew about this same
mysterious stranger.
but don't know any NOR" about
this Laughing Mask than you do.
protested the old tinancior.
Surely you have at least some the
DRY as to the identity of the man.
Il thought had. once or twice. And
my daughter thought she had. Hut we
i
! "One moment please cut in the
lieutenant as he suddenly rose 70 his
feet and strobe across the room. He
stepped out through the portiered
doorway. stared down the hallway, and
returned to the room again. Are you
aware Of tho fact that A.? young woman
has been standing there listening to
every word we said?'
The doep-linpd face Of the aged iinan-
Cior showed no pcrCeptibre change.
My daughter. undoubtedly" retort-
ed Golden. For the girls about as
Interested in this case. you see, as We
are ourselves"
Margery's interest in the mysterious
case OF the LauCrin Mask, indeed,
would hava been brought promptly
home to that somewhat puzzled police
lieutenant had he been able 10 give
less attention to EnO"h Golden and
more TO the puZZled-cycd girl who had
stood momentarily arrested Il the en-
trance to her fathers library. For
as She moved on down the snadowy
hallway she found herself confronted
by that intcrruptive but all too IA
miliar figure Of the Laughing Mask
himself lie made a gesture for 81.
Ience as she started back in alarm
Then he nodded his dominoed head in
the direction of tho library door.
Now. perhaps. you will understand
why 1t has not been easy for me 70
explain just who | am"
But YOU must explain rasped the
bewildorcd girl They are saying
r terrible things about you, things "hich
| know 10 70 untrue.
> do you trust me-"
81 want TO-" was the whispered an
swor.
l Then will you continue to trust
T me-" asked the man in the mask.
Il don't think can" was the girl:
l hesitatiug answer. until you can trus
4 me-
You mean that must unmask?'
But Margery Goldens reply to tina
@ | question was never uttered. For a!
Il she was about TO speak, her volatile
maid. Celestine, stepped into the hal
behind her, bcheld the mysteriOusl!
masked figure. and promptly filled thu
n house with a ringing Gallo scream.
II Mon Dieu. it is the Laughing
Il Mask" she shrillcd as she ran dow
the hall. giving the alarm.
d And her alarm. unreasoning as
o seemed was fully shared by III
Laughing Mask himself He swun
r about. darted through a doorway. an
q disappeared from sight as Golden an
e his retainers and his official visitor
Is came focking out to the scene Q
% that disturbance.
e Two minutes later Margery Colder
e hearing a shout from Kibby's me
/ above stai--. followed that officer {
u the scene Of the sudden tumult. There
IS TO her alarm. she saw three men sirius
Cling n a figure which she promp
It " recognized as the Laughing Mas
> himself
l "We'y1 got him" gasped one Of hi
! captors as Lieutenant Kibby cOnfron
ed him.
"WhatH we do with him." asked hi
other CaptOr
/ First thing, tear that fool mas
\ Of" commanded the lieutenant
But that command was not carrie
into execution. For Margery Colder
}, catching sight Of the Laughing Mask
81 fallen revolver, ran to where il la
IS and took possession - II. The ne,
8 moment it was lcveIed straight at tn
q heart Of the detective whose hand ha
q been lifted 10 the yellow domino co
y cring mis- prisoners face.
81 stop" commanded the girl. 81
q spoke in a quiet and yet an arrestir
voice. The astounded officer, staru
into the revolver barrel. swung wea
ri " and blinkingly about.
s Put down that gun. YOU" prom
Il " commanded Kibhy. purple with /
ia dignatiCn.
Not until your men release III
q rrisoner." was her deliberate respOns
q Yes, YOU. both of you" she continu"
s. m;uacing the officers Of the law wit
9 the revolver stand back fro
. him, Still further back, Now you
she added. turning TO The Laughir
Mask. walk out t1roug' that doc
k Go out. and &c az once"
re So intonIy did she watch that ii
re appearing figure that the mov,mon
~, z. IL, ,IrD,t md much oy~a-i.pr.