The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-09-07

on Peter struck him wicked blow on
the back of the head. Peter crumpIed
up and lhy like one dead.
How did Peter escape from the room
in The Wilton? BY the simple process
Of boiling. Philippa's arrival created
sensation. She identified the two
men and suggested taking them to her
house and there letting the detectives
see that there was nothing in the story
of Bentlpy's WrOngdOing.
But before the handouts could be
! slipped on Peter the Masked Stranger
emerged from the other room, a gen
eral battle resulted and Peter man
aged to get free. The rest proceeded
/ in the Brewster car to the Brewster
home to which Peter had already gone
by taxi.
So that when they rcached the scene
of Bentley's operations they were
greeted by a sight they had little
thought to see.
Bentley was standing over Hale with =
a Malignant sheer. As Philippa came
in he advanced with OutstretChed
hands.
"There he is-Iale-I caught him
trying to walk off with the contents
of your Safe--thCre are some of the
papers sticking out of his pockets now
and here's a document / got out of
his hand"
Bridgcy took from his own pocket
a long envelope evidently containing
: the facts he was anxious to know
about the mystery that shrouded
Phlippa, then, carefully holding it be-
, hind him, he backed to the window.
Peter. who showed signs Of re-
turning consciousness, was prOpped up
in chair.
ooh. Peter, how could yOu?" asked
: Philippa reprOachfully. He could only
= stammer something incOherent about
Bentley, while that gentleman looked
on amused at the lameness of his
g words.
Suddenly Bentley started-sOmeOne
Il reaching in from the window had
e snatchcd the paper he held behind him
a and disappeared.
"Thief. Thief" cried Bentley, now
t genuinely disturbed. "SOme thief has
y Snatchcd that paper l rescued from
e Hale" and he pointed wildly at the
II window. One of the detectives leaped
l. out and followed the disappearing fig
e ure. The figure vanished around the
corner of the house and crOuChed. The
o detective plunged on, the figure eX-
Ie tended a fOOt-the purSuer fell head
q over heels, and the figure escaped
Over the lower part of his face was a
;" black mask
lie Crestfallen the officer returned tc
the house. "Well, he got away; but
Il we've got two birds, anyway, and
he that's not bad days work" and he
and his associate marched Peter anC
| AnneSSley out of the house.
Philippa, left alone with Bentley
! burst into. tears. 'Oh, Bridgey, dear
how miserable l am. My poor fathe
n is gone, | don't know where; my hes
81 friends arrested, and no one cares TO-
81 me-"
q Don't say that" said Bentley, try
III ing his best to reasSure her. Il know
B way outA viii you marry me to
81 night? Say yes. Together we'll fin
Il your father" and he slipped his arm
81 about the distracted girl.
Sci She looked up into his face. eyes,
vi she whispered, and Bentley kissed hel
# Wen go to the Elm rectory tOnigh
S% I'll telephone tOGthe minister. You
VA have someone who really can look a
81 ter your comfort, someone with rigf
VI to do So"
# Had Bentley read enough of til
## mysterious document to convince hin
81 self that Philippa was really the 81
81 of the double cross?
AT any rate, when he called IL
81 Philfppa that evening he found m
# waiting for him with happy smi
e! ~ and looking more beautiful that eve
They entered his car and the brid
We groom carefully wrapped the rui
about her.
for ut isn't so far" said he. eve sha
ON be very happy, Philippa,"
She sighed, 81 know it," Bridgey,
he know we shan"
nut The ride was brief. Arriving at t
rectory, Bentley helped the happy 81
id~ from the car and together they enter
the modest home of the minister.
20 - neatly attired maid ushered them in
orr sitting room, and Bentley, excusi
himself, whispered to Philippa tn
qot he would first speak with the minist
Mr. who was awaiting him in the study
fed, The latter rose as Bentley enter
his and cordially grasped his hand
INA be with you right away" he said,
"Miss Brewster is in the sitti
one ROOM" said Bentley, and they be
TO proceeded in that direction.
afe, But Bentley was mistaken-i
ion. room was empty-the man W
the thought soon to be the husband of
alb Girl of the Double Cross gazed will
l of about. but there was no sign of
I'M missing heiress.
The maid was summoned, but co
throw no light on the matter and BE
eady ley moved to the window while
into minister ran into the hall.
!, I,o TI,o our+oin futtnrp1 NC Rent