The Washington herald., 1917-06-11

Now we're coming to the real stuff,"
grunted the detective, as he opened the
first OF these, disclosing jeweled wrist
watch, lorgnette chain, some pearl
| studs and gold cigarette case.
Drawing out q typewriter list, they
were swiftly checking of the items, when
from the kitchen came the sound of q
closing door.
"Oh, she's coming!" breathed Helen.
The next moment Nora stood in the
doorway. There was a dramatic silence
as in one terrified glance she swept her
ransacked room, the silver and jewelry
on the tumbled bed, and the grim-faced
detectives. Then, white and trembling.
she sank into the chair one of them
pushed toward her.
"Oh, IL didn't take it," she began
Historically. "I didn't"
"We'n hear about that later" gruffed
the detective Then courteously, Mrs.
Curtis, may trouble you for some paper
to wrap up this stuff?"
Helen hurried out, glad to escape from
the intensity OF the scene. When she
came back with the paper, Nora was
still sobbing an incoherent denial. TO
which the detectives busy with the list
were not troubling to listen.
While one made a bundle of the stolen
goods the other went In to the library
telephone. Trying vainly to silence the
weeping girl. Helen heard only few
words, but enough to know that he was
sending for a patrol
'oh, you won't let them take me-you
won't let them take me away" Nora
chung to her wildly.
I'D like to talk to her alone" request
ed Helen. Wont you all go into the
dining-room?'
Now see here" protested Warren, as
the detectives withdrew. She'll get you
all unstrunG. Let me talk to her. This
isn't a case for you"
"Oh, dear. don't be so hard! You're
all men against one woman" and push.
ing him from the room, Helen closed the
door.
Nora had thrown herself on the dis
mantled bed. and now Helen sat down
beside her.
You love this man. Nora? Is that why
you've been dragged into this"
oh. don't care for myself" rocking
back and forth in abandoned grief. But
If they send him away-I don't want to
Iiver'
But a man who'd involve you in a
thing like this-a common thief?'
"Oh, l don't care what he is! love
him-I love him!"
Before the finality of this Helen felt he-
helplessness. Against such love no argu-
mentS or reasoning could prevail The
girl was sobbing out her piteous story.
She both loved and feared him, and was
completely in his power.
"Is this his picture, Nora? taking
from the bureau a cheap photograph OF
a young man with a weak but not bad
face.
"Oh, no. that's my brother. This is
him." drawing from an inner pocket OF
her skirt a postcard photograph. "Oh,
won't you keep 1t for me?" at sharp
knock on the door. Il don't want them
to find it,
Another knock and the detectives en-
tered. Nora shrank back clinging to the
bed railing, with wide, terrOr-stricken
eyes.
Warren you speak to them" quivered
Helen, drawing him into the dining-room.
Tell them to be gentle with her. It's
only that she loves this man-she's real
ly honest herself! Tell them"
"An right, will" soothingly. Now
don't get upset and don't come out there
again-you stay here"
Crouching on the window-seat Helen
listened to Nora's despairing sobs, and
the mems mumbled undertone.
Now they were taking her out through
the kitchen. Then a slamming door-and
silence Warren had gone with them to
the elevator, for it was several moments
before his brisk step came back through
the front hall.
What can they do with her?' Helen
ran to him excitedly. "Oh. the laws such
,merciless thing! Dear. can't we do
something?'
Hes the one they're after! She'll
probably get off with a suspended SEN
tence. III drop by the District Attorneys
Office tomorrow and find out who'll have
the case"
"Oh, you will see about it-you WILL
do what you CAM" persisted Helen.
Just said would" impatiently, for
Warren loathed to protest his good in
tentions. where in thunder did she run
across him, anyway? He must be a
pretty cool hand
Here's his photograrh-she was afraid
to keep it"
Looks like a crook, all right. Bad
eyes" was Warren's brief. dismissing
comment.
Broodingly Helen studied the picture.
The eyes were crafty but the face had
certain dashing good looks that had
held poor Nora enthralled. She had not
been deceived in him. She knew him for
what ne wss-and yet she loved him.
1t was the old, old story of the cling
ing loyalty. the pathetic tenacity OF a
woman's unreasoning love.
Copyright. lsl7.)