Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-30

1 Il
two. Handsome Jack was openly adj
= miring lima. He had made use o
her telephone number to ask her I,
dinner. and she. thinking she Nigh
learn something useful. had accepted
Its absurd" said Handsome Jacl
to his companion. that a girl Hike yo,
shouldn't wear ornaments. LooIe here
see these"-and he took from hi.
watstcoat pocket the two pearls. Inns
pretended to feel no special Interest
as he passed her the prizes. "How
would you like these set In n ring /?
asked Jack. but Ilma's reply was Gu,
short by waiter who handed her a
note. She read 1t, paled, crumpled 1,
up and started to rise
Excuse me-" said Handsome Jack
tho pearls. please"
oh! 1 forgot" said lima, land now
must go. Don't ask me any Ques-
TONS but put me in taxi and 1 Will
return home"
Handsome Jack insisted on riding
uptown with her. but she refused to
allow him to go to the door. Never.
theless, Harry. seeing her alight at
the corner, also caught a glimpse Of
her companion.
why arc you riding with that fell
| low?" he demanded with a proprietary
air which sent the color TO the yirr,
cheek.
! Because 1 have been trying to md
tho pearls you STOLE" she replied
caustically and swept past him.
I'm fool" said Harry dejectedly
as he walked away. He had pro-
cecded but short distance when an
Ola woman who had witnessed the
tableau shuffied up to him, thrust n
noto into his hand and hobbled or.
He stopped under light and read:
JACK VIII rob that house tonight
Catch him in the act and you can
make him surrender both pearls"
This strange warning was signed
Nemesis" Harry looked around: the
old woman had vanished.
She reminds mo OF some one" said
tho young man aloud, but can,
think who"
lima made strong appeal
handsome Jack went about his work
on purloining the Painting with a light
heart. The image OF lima was before
him. and he mndc various resolves TO
torsake the tenor OF his ways as soon
rs he could gather enough money tn
make life without work possible.
lie did not stop to ask whether money
mus obtained would bar him from q
girl like Ilma-his code was not deem
enough Tor that. He believed thai
wealth. however obtained, gilded with
excuses the various errors of life and
worked accordingly.
When he arrived ut the mansion from
which he proposed to steal the $50 ono
masterpiece that formed the chief or.
hament OF the collection, he found
everything favorable. Having success
ruby 1immied window, he climbed
into the vacant house and proceeded
TO the largo gallery where the paint
Ing hing covered with netting
1t required only a few minute, to
step from a chair to tho mantel and
win sharp knife, to cut the canvas
neatly from the frame. Jack then re-
placed the netting and. rolling up his
prize. surveyed the room. There ~ero
NUMBER or suits of armor standing
around the walls some large. som,
small.
wonder" said the humorist burg
lar, how Id look in one of those out
nus. He marched over to knight,
Ao eostufne ana, with little da1-
ferrous manipulation, managed to en-
case himself in 1t. Then clankine
across the floor he tried TO imapipe
i''nSelt racing the foe on some his
'oric battle field. Handsome lack
laughed aloud-a laugh cut short by
voice which called, Hands an, -.
feminine voice which had a familiar
ring
stcel-cncased arms aloft az hast bo
could. for through the visor he could
see the unmistakable CLEANS of a ps-
sol. ~
Now, sir. walk this way" said tho
voice. and Jack walked-but his wits
were not idle. With n sudden swish
OF the sword he knocked the pistol
out OF the intruders hand and gran
pied with her.
Her identity was now plain. lima
.he girl he had entertained as a social
butterfly. had held MIN uo and nearly
made him priponer. The humor Of
Inc situation made him laugh ALONE
i am very sorry to be compelled to
treat you tails way" he said blandl,
wondering II she had accompliccs. 81
shaii nave TO bind you. but will en-
"ea'or not TO annoy you moro than
possible.
Handsome Jack used a clothes line
ne mad brought along for an emer-
sehcy and tied lima TO an antique
chair In the most approved modern
fashion. Before the operation was
completed the tramp of mailed feet
caused him to pause.
he felt himself shaken with terror,
and lima. overcome by the uncanni-
ness OF the scene. screamed as a SECOND
"sure IN armor came lunging UP to
her and made for Handsome Jack, who
mad now risen and turned TO meet bt.
spookly adversary
mere was no time for words. The
intruder attacked. and a duel ensued
lhat would have rejoiced the heart of
the King OF knights. the gentle
Bayard.
inc newcomer, however, had the
ootter OF the argument; Handsome
JACK dropped under a vicious blow