The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-11-16

81 ~ course they did not apply to
MIN. but they reminded her of him that
was pleasure. She sent the message.
being careful to repeat to terminus, for
the words made no sense. Then she
read a little and did some crochet
work. and then went out of her little
den to close the door, for the night
was growing quite chilly.
As Mollie started back for her oper.
attng desk she act;:.a 81 stray sheet
ct paper lying on the floor. Size picked
It up.
"Why!" she murmurcd, as she car.
rted it to the light, "this is the same
sheet of paper those men consulted
so much. Yes, this is the key code to
the funny wire which those men sent"
Mollie was glad to have something
to break the monotony. She set her.
self to work to compare the telegram
with the code. First, it was idle Gu.
riosity. Then it became sheer interest
and then-alarm! For this is what the
message, translated, read:
Barney Graf, Browns Hotel,
Bridgetown. v. B. was here. Left on
afternoon train. Is at his regular no.
tel at Bridgetown. Get him. He has
the evidence with him and it's do him
right or the pen for the gang"
In a flash quick. intelligent Mollie
comprehended. The two men who had
sent the telegram had arrived at
gainesville too late to find Vernon.
They had inquired about him and had
learned his destination. They had
wired some accomplice to do what?-
rob Vernon of the evidence of their
evil doings and to murder him-oh;
that was certain! and Moilie was dis.
! tracted.
What should she 90, what should she
| do? How could she warn Vernon?
She did not know the hotel he usually
stopped at. Mollie paced the floor in
an agony of apprehension and distress.
She had about made up her mind to
run to the house, half a mile away,
and apprise her brother Herbert of the
situation when q sudden thought came
to her.
'"The very thing!" she cried and
sprang to the telegraph instrument.
Her nimble fingers quivered as she
clicked out the message that might
mean life or death to the man she
loved, according to the dispatch with
which its mandate was executed:
"Jacoh Bull, Chief of Police,
Bridgctown:
Arrest at once Vernon Beardsley, law.
yer, staying at some principal hotel in
your city. Hold without bail till ad-
vised. Wanted for burglary.
JOHN CRAWFORD, Marshal.
ID. D. l."
Then Mollie sped home. She got her
brother to take her place, waited three
hours and caught the midnight ex.
press for Bridgetown.
Il am the daughter of Marshal Craw.
ford Of Painesville." she announced to
the chief Of police, whom fortunately
she found ut headquarters. Il came
about the arrest of Vernon Beardsley."
Eyes, he's jagged, and Il fine row
he's raising" responded the official and
then stared hard, as, blushing, palpi.
tating, the pretty young miss told her
story.
"Barney Graft, eh?" he observed.
pricking up his ears. '"rhat's fine
tip. Browns hotel? Good for you, lit.
tie one, you're trump"
Within an hour Graft and two other
wanted members Of the cOunterfeiting
| gang were behind the bars and the as.
founded Vernon Beardsley outside of
| them.
"Can you ever forgive me?" meekly
asked the penitent MOllie.
"You glorious girl" was the ardent
reply. "Iou have saved my life, SD it
Is yours for the rest.of my days-if it's
worth having" and. promptly and ten.
derby, Mollie insisted that it was.