davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13

repellent lawbreakers left their cover
when the thicket was again occupied
by a stealthily moving figure.
The newcomer, straining to over
hear the conversation between Jules
Legar and Dutch Frank, wore that
familiar and derisive mask of yellow.
"It's trap to get our masked
friend down to Wharton's quarry,
where the bunch is waiting to gather
him in," said Legar.
II haven't got any love for that med
ding masker, but this is too good
chance to miss. I've got some heav-
Ter scores than his to settle, and right
now is the time to do it."
With a cold chill of apprehension
the Laughing Mask remembered he
had no method of reaching the dis
tant quarry except by foot, and long
before he could hope to reach his
destination Legar would have had
ample time to carry out his fiendish
purpose. But anything was better
than this maddening inaction, and
although realizing the futility of his
course he raced frantically along the
road through the dust clouds raised
by the black automobile, fast disap-
pearing in the distance.
That swiftly moving conveyance
bearing Legar and his vicious follow
er turned off into a seldom used wood
road and shortly afterward came to q
stop a little way back of the steep
walled granite quarry. AS Legar
peered over the edge of the perpen-
dicular cliff, from which great blocks
Of stone had been sheared away by
powerful explosives, an evil smile of
triumph distorted his scar-furrowed
face. For just beneath him were the
figures Of the portly police captain and
two Of his men crouehing behind a
ponderous upright slab of granite.
Standing little apart from the others
was the sober-faced daughter Of his
long-hated enemy.
He saw the authoritative officer mo-
ton the detected girl into the hiding
place, and as with apparent reluct-
ance she obeyed this mute signal the
iron-clawed spy drew back from the
cliff-edge and rejoined his companion,
who was waiting by the automobile.
They're down there, all right"
Legar savagely exulted, in response
to the questioning look of Dutch
Frank, "and when we blow out the
side Of that cliff they are going to
get crushed like rats In trap"
"Then we can croak that bunch
whenever you're ready. gov'nor," an
swered the blond gunman, with the
red lust Of murder in his eyes. 81 had
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13
EIGHTEENTH EPISODE
The Green-Eyed God

81 thought you had discarded that
theory, Captain Bracket" Margery
Golden said In surprised tones. II
know you discovered some strongly
convincing evidence, but when, with
orr own eyes, we saw both David
Manley and the Laughing Mask In the
s@Tne room at the same time, it stands
10 reason they must be different per-
sons" Then she added softly to her
self, "And am sorry it turned out
that way"
Just then one of the captains men
fling character written large on his
face.
well, Jenkins, what is it?" tersely
demanded his superior, and then as
the self-important sleuth glanced at
Nargery, he added, Miss Golden is in
on this as much as any of u.s."
well. you see It happened like
this" he began in a meditative voice,
II had been dom a four-hour stretch
down at the four corners. 1t was
the blacklist kind of night and there
wasn't even a stray rabbit for COM
pany. / hadn't seen anything that
looked suspicious, so when Donovan
comes along to spell me off, thought
I'd stop In a minute for a chat with
Parker, the head gardener down at
Wilken's place. ] found the old man
and his son, Joe, in the kitchen and
they gave me a little somethin' to
take the dust out of my throat. We
was settin' there quiet and peaceable
when all of sudden I seen old Par.
ker starin' at the open winder with
the eyes bulgin' out of his head.
took a squint myself and I'll be
blamed If that slippery customer with
the comic mask wasn't lookin' right
into my eyes.
Jenkins he says, quite calmlike
you're good man in your way, SC
] thought I'd tip you off that a couple
If the Iron Claw's-second-storyw workers
are pullin' off a job right in this house
while you're guzzling your beer. II
you nab those two porch-climbers,' he
says, it ought to help that promotion
ye're lookin' for"
Then he gives a little laugh an
with that he was gone. / thought he
was kiddln' me along and was pretty
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13
SYNOPSIS.

On windward Island Palidori intrigues
Mrs. Golden into an appearance OF eVli
which causes Golden to capture and tor,
tUre the Italian by branding his face and
crushing his hand Palidori floods the is
land and kidnaps Golden's little daughter
Aargery- Twelve years later in New YORK
gar and takes her to her fathers home.
1egar sends Golden a demand for the
chart. The coveted chart is lost In a
fight between Manley and one of Legar
ing Mask. Margery rescues the Laughing
Mask from the police. Manley finds Mar
gerry not indifferent 10 his love. He saves
her from Marks poisoned arrows Man
ley plans a mock funeral which fails to
accomplish the desired purpose, the cap
ture OF the Iron Claw and his gang. Mar
gerry is saved from death at the hands OF
the Iron Claw by the Laughing Mask. An
attempt by the Iron Claw to blow up the
O'Mara cottage is frustrated in the nick
Of time. The Laughing Mask discloses
his identity to Margery. Margery over
hears the policies plan 20 take the Laugh
ing Mask prisoner and hastens TO warn
him. They escape both the police and
the Iron Claw. Later the Laughing Mask
her home. He eludes capture; Margery's
father tells her that the Mask has met
death. A mysterious woman frightens
LegaT's henchman into promise Of con-
fession to clear the Laughing Mask. She
meets Margery and discloses herself to
that young LADY as David Manley. Le-
gar and his gang get possession of some
loot and escape, taking Margery with
them. The Laughing Mask adds to his
righteousness by once more saving her
from death. Margery rescues the chart
OF the Van Horn loot. The police attempt
20 arrest David as the Laughing Mask
The Mask appears on the scene. David
saves Margery and her friends from Le-
gar's heRchmen. one of whom loses his
teaches Margery the heliograph. In an
effort TO save David she is almost trapped
by Legsr. The Laughing Mask comes to
her aid. The code saves them. David
discovers a diagram which Is the means
Of averting the deaths Of the 0oldens and
their guests at a lawn banquet.
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13

tile first part Of his plan into execu-
ton. He went to the small mahogany
writing desk standing in one corner
of the gunroom and blu: led himself
in clumsily guiding the pen held in
his thick fingers over a half sheet of
notepaper.
"This ought to do the trick if any
thing WILL" he complacently an
nounced, swinging about in his chair
after few moments of labOrious eff
fort, NOW let's get this thing straight.
I've signed Legar's name to this here
billydoo, and it's just about the way
he'd have written it himself. It's ad-
dressed to Dutch Frank in New York,
and it says Legar has rugged up
plant to decoy you down to Wharton's
Quarry ut four o'clock this after
noon, an he wants a couple of his
strOng-arm men sent right out to help
pull off the abductin' job, and carry
you back to the city. Now we'll take
this fake message out to that big rock
where we've seen the Laughing Mask
hangin' aroun' an drop it in plain
sight, kind of careless like, as though
it had slipped out of Legar's pocket.
Then if our man comes along an he
amt too much taken up with his new
lady friend. he's pretty likely to swal-
low this bait, hook an sinker, an If
he goes down to Wharton's quarry at
four o'clock this afternoon to give you
a hand like he used to do he's goin'
to get the biggest surprise party of
his life"
When the stocky captain Of police
having planted" his forged decoy In
conspicuous spot near the lone
bowlder, returned to the waiting
girl in the low-slung car, his face
was Enthusiastically stamped with self
satisfaction.
The jubilant police officer might
have lost some Of his confidence in
the success Of his plan had he known
that from behind a sheltering thicket
two pairs Of evil eyes had watched
his every movement from the time
the gray car had stopped by the road
side. Now that the coast was clear
| there emerged from that thicket a
man with a wolfish. scar-marked face
who stood waiting while his blond
lieutenant retrieved the white slip of
paper intended to entrap the Laugh.
ing Mask. But scarcely had these
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13

the embrace of his companion and
stood gazing in startled surprise in
the direction from which it came. At
that moment a thick-set figure came
catapulting through the hedge and
bore down upon the Laughing Mask
like a human cannon ball. The exas-
perated police captain, realizing he
could no longer hope to take his enc
my by surprise, had staked everything
on this sudden rush. But the nimble-
footed fugitive was off like sprinter
trying to beat a record, and by the
time he reached the road he had
gained a wide leap over his numbering
pursuer, who shortly gave up the
chase and slowly retraced his steps,
blowing like a winded truck horse.
This is the second time you've har-
bored that criminal" he barked at the
proudly erect young woman who stood
facing Margery Golden, ''an' as an Of
ficer Of the law 1 give you warning
1t will be worse for you if you don't
tell US where he keeps himself under
cover"
81 shall tell you nothing" answered
the openly deflaD girl, your bully
ing threats do nct brighten me in the
least, and 1 shall see that your in
sulting conduct Is reported to the
proper authorities"
With this parting shot the unruf-
fed girl deliberately turned her back
on the raging police captain and, with
quiet dignity, made her way toward
the white-pillared mansion. Nothing
Of the law but to withdraw from the
field of this disastrous verbal battle
with the best grace he could muster,
but already, in his somewhat limited
range of mental activity, he had de-
vised a new scheme for trapping the
elusive masquerader, whose immedi-
ate capture he was more grimly de-
termined upon than ever.
To his surprise Margery Golden
promptly and steadfastly rebelled at
the part which he had chosen for her
to play in the consummation Of this
scheme, which savored to a certain
degree Of INSCRIPTIONS trickery. 1t
was only by tanning the smoldering
jealousy Of the sorely tried girl that
he was at last able To wiring from her
a reluctant consent to do his bidding.
1.-THE chances are he won't leave
that good-lookin' doll for a minute,
even though he thinks you are In ter
rible danger" had been his argument.
which finally carried the day. Fear
ing that his hesitating confederate
might exercise her woman's preroga-
tive Of suddenly changing her mind.
the willy strategist Immediately put
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13

Anxious TO do anything which might
tend to clear up the harassing doubts
preying upon her mind, Margery will
lingly acquiesced in this plan. A lit
tie later the speedy, gray roadster
containing the determined police cap
tain and the troubled-faced girl>-drew
up just around the bend of the road
beyond the Kicks homestead, where
David Manley had taken up his abode
since his abrupt departure from the
manor house of his former employer.
Suddenly Margery felt her heart
quicken as she saw a familiar figure,
with dejectedly dropping shoulders,
cutting across the fields in the direc-
ton of Seven Oaks Hill. The Keen
eyed officer caught sight of his quarry
at almost the same moment.
There's our man now," he said
quickly, land it's up to us to keep
him in sight every minute"
Stealthily the slender girl and the
burly captain, slipping from cover to
cover, Swallowed the distracted Man
ley, who was apparently too occupied
with his thoughts to be at all on his
guard. He finally reached the sum-
NIT Of the hill and made straight for
the lone bOwlder, where on a previous
occasion the Laughing Mask had mys-
teriously eluded the holly pursuing
police captain. His trailers lodged
into a nearby thicket and breathless-
ly waited the outcome of this strange
procedure.
Nor had they long to wait. A few
tense moments elapsed after David
Manley disappeared from view behind
the bowlder and then another figure
emerged from in back Of that stone
concealment. The features of the new
conner were shrouded by a yellow and
grotesquely laughing mask.
Through that opening the two shad-
overs of the Laughing Mask saw him
advancing toward a rose-mantled sum-
merhouse at the end of a shaded
walk. They saw a graceful girl, her
f1owerlike face aglow with eager ex-
pectation, suddenly emerge from the
summerhOuSe and run to meet him
with outstretched arms. Then as the
two figures met for a moment in a
close embrace sharp cry of pent-up
| anguish burst from the white lips of
Margery Golden.
As that soul-racked cry reached his
ears, the perfidious masker broke from
Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-13

sore by that time. I makes a dive
through the winder with Joe close
behind me, but that masked Jerry
had disappeared like he always does"
I'VE did the best we could chief,
an' you ought to know it amt no
cinch to round up the Laughin' Mask.
WeIl-as ] was sayin', he made a
clean getaway and me and Joe decid-
ed to take a look through the house
70 make sure he was only stringin'
US. We went up them front stairs
2ike a couple Of gum-shoe artists an
Then we seen somethin' was wrong.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
CHAPTER VI.
In the JunoIe.


His first night in the Jungle was one
which the son Of Tarzan held longest
In his memory. No savage carnivora
menaced him. There was never sign
of hideous barbarian, or If there were
the boys troubled mind took no cog
nizance Of them.
His conscience was harassed by the
thought of his mothers suffering.
Self blame plunged him into the depths
q misery.
The killing Of the American caused
him little or no remorse. The fellow
had earned his fate. Jacks regret on
this score was due mainly to the effect
which the death Of Conlon had had
upon his own plans.
Now he could not return directly to
his parents. as he had planned. Fear
OF the primitive borderland law, Of
which he had read highly cOlored, i'm
aginary tales, had thrust him into the
jungle---a fugitive He dared not re-
turn to the coast at this point, not
that he was so greatly influenced
through personal fear as from desire
to shield his father and mother from
further sorrow and from the shame OF
having their honorcd name dragged
through the sordld degradation Of II
murder trial.
With returning day the boys spirits
rose. With the rising sun came new
hope within his breast He would re-
turn to civilization by another way.
None would guess that he had been
connected with the killing of the stran-
ger in the little out Of the way trading
post upon remote shore.
Crouched close to the great ape in
the crotch Of tree, the boy had shiv-
cred through an almost sleepless night.
His light pajamas had been but little
protection from the chill dampness Of
the Jungle, and only that side Of him
which was pressed against the warm
body Of his shaggy companion approx
imated comfort. And SO he welcomed
tine rising sun with lts promise OF
/. warmth AZ well as light--the blessed
(, sun, dlspeller of physical and mental
+, Ills.
He shook Akut into wakefulness.
Come" he said, II am cold and hun.
CRY. We will search for food out there
IN the sunlight" and he pointed TO an
open plain, dotted with stunted trees
and strewn with jagged rock.
The hoy slid to the ground rs he
spoke, but the ape first looked care
fully about, smiling the morning mir.
Then, satisfied that no danger lurked
near, he descended slowly to the
ground beside the boy.
"Numa aud Sabor, his mate, feast
upon those who descend first and look
---A
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
Hands and Fingers.

Nearly everything of money value in
this world gets It's worth from the
human touch, according to Industrial
Management magazine. The Midas
hand of humanity turns whatever 1t
fingers into its representative weight
In gold. Diamonds gain their high
value not only from rarity but because
tons Of the earths soil have to be
handled to find one little stone. Gold
itself gets its worth not merely from
scarcity but from the immense work
In accommodating one ounce.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
breath at useless torture being inilict,

breath at useless torture being intlict-
ed upon the helpless slaves.
He looked at the boy, Now that he
had caught up with the creatures of
his own kind, why was it that he did
not rush forward and greet them? He
put the question to his companion.
They are fiends." muttered the boy.
81 would not travel with such as they,
for If l did l should set upon them
and kill them the first time they beat
their people as they are beating them
now. But" he added after a moments
thought. 81 can ask them the where
abOuts of the nearest port. and then,
Akut, we can leave Them"
The ape made no reply, and the hoy
swung to the ground and started ut a
brisk walk toward the safari. He was
n hundred yards away, perhaps, when
one of the whites caught sight of him.
The man gave shout of alarm, in.
Stantly levellng his rifle upon the boy
and firing. The bullet struck just in
front of Its mark. scattering turf and
fallen leaves against the lads legs A
second later the other white and the
black soldiers of the rear guard were
firing Historically az him.
jack leaped behind tree, unhit.
Days Of panic ridden flight through
the Jungle had filled Carl Jensen and
Sven Malbihn with jangling nerves and
their native boys with unreasonable
terror Every new note from behind
sounded to their frightened ears the
coming of the sheik and his blood
thirsty followers.
When, after cOnQuering their nerv-
BUSINESS. the rear guard advanced upon
the enemys position to Investigate
they found nothing, for Akut and the
boy had retreated out Of range of the
unfrlendly guns.
Jack was disheartened and sad. He
had not entirely recovered from the
depressing effect Of the unfriendly re-
ception he had received at the hands
Of the blacks, and now he had found
an even more hostile one accorded
him by men of his own color
"The lesser beasts fee from me In
terror" he murmured half to himself
the greater beasts are ready to teal
me to pieces at sight Black men would
kill me with their spears or arrows
And now white men. my own kind
have fired upon and driven me away
'Are all the creatures of the world
my enemies? Has the son Of Tarzan
no friend other than Akut?"
The old ape drew closer to the boy
There are the great apes" he said
'They only will be the friends of
Akuts friend. Only the great apes
will welcome the son of Tarzan. You
have seen that men want nothing of
you, Let us 60 now and continue our
search for the great apes--our people.
tTO BE CONTTNUEDO
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
SYNOPSIS.
Copyright by
Frank A. Munscy Co.

"A scientific expedition off the Afri.
can coast rescues human derelict,
Alexis Paulvitch. He brings abroad
an ape, intelligent and friendly, and
reaches London.
Jack son of Lord Greystoke, the
original Tarzan, has inherited a love
Of wild life and steals from home to
see the ape, now drawing card in a
music hall. The ape makes friends
with him.
= The ape refuses to leave Jack de
posite his trainer. Tarzen appears
and is joyfully recognized by the ape,
for Tarsan had been king OF his tribe.
Tarzan agrees to buy Akut, the ape,
and send him back to Africa. Jack
resolves to 60 along.
: Jack. learns the ape language. Paul.
Witch. hating the father, tries to kill
Jack, but is killed by Akut. Jack and
Alut escape to Africa and enter the
jungle.
Malbihn and Jenc sen ,w0 Swcfe
rencgrades and traders. try ,oinly l.r
mcrcenary reasons, to get posses ) on
OF little girl Merem, held by an
Arab sheik Jack learns jungle lore
from Akut.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27

the SpoOr Of man, of white men, for
among the prints of naked feet were
the well defined outlines of European
made boots.
The trail, which marked the passage
of good sized company pointed north
at right angles to the course the boy
and the ape were taking toward the
coast.
Doubtless these white men knew the
nearest coast settlement. They might
even be headed for it now. AT any
rate, it would be worth while overtak-
ing them, even if only for the pleasure
of meeting again creatures Of his own
kind.
The boy was in the lead, excitement
and anticipation carrying him ahead
of his companion. And 1t was the boy
who first saw the rear guard Of the
caravan and the white men he had
been 50 anxious to overtake.
Stumbling along the tangled trail Of
those ahead n dozen heavily laden
blacks who, from fatigue or sickness,
had dropped behind were being prod
ded by the black soldiers Of the rear
guard kicked when they fell and then
roughly jerked to their feet and hus-
tied onward. On either side walked
n giant white man. whose heavy blond
boards almost obliterated their coun-
tenances.
The boys lips formed glad cry Of
salutati0n as his eyes FIRST discovered
the whtes--a cry That was never Ut.
tered, for almost Immediately he wit.
messed that which turned his happi.
ness to anger us he saw that both the
white men We're welding heavy whips
brutally upon the naked backs Of the
poor devils staggering along beneath
londs that would have overtnxed the
strength and endurance Of strong men
at the beginning Of new day.
Every now and then the rear guard
and the white men cast apprehensive
glances rearward, as though momen-
tarlly expecting the naturalization OF
some long expected danger from that
quarter. The boy had paused after
his first sight of the caravan and now
was following slowly In the wake Of
the sordid, brutal spectacle
Presently Akut came up with him.
To the beast there was less Of horror
In the sight than to the lad, yet even
the great ape .growled beneath bis
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
FOR SALE-The Marten Kelly home

FOR SALE-The Marten Kelly home
at east end Of Congress street; two
lots on corner Good two story metal
roof, frame dwelling, five rooms on
lower floor, four rooms upstairs; also
halls, closets, bath room, etc. Hot
air heat A fine property at $500.
VIII sell house and one lot for $4,000.
All special assessment paid in full,
For further information call on or
phone to 7. B. Farrell, College Bldg,
telephone 64S-W.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
Catarrhal Deafness Cannot Be Cured

by local applications as they cannot
reach the diseased portion Of the ear.
There Is only one way to cure Catar.
lhal deafness and that Is by con.
stitutional remedy. Catarrhal Deaf.
ness is caused by an inflamed condi.
ton Of the mucous lining Of the
Eustachian Tube. When this tube Is
inhamed you have a rumbling sound
or imperfect hearing and when 1t is
entirely closed, Deafness Is the result.
Unless the inflammation can be re-.
duced to It's normal condition hearing
will be destroyed forever Many cases
OF deafness are caused by catarr.,.
which is an inilamed condition of the
mucous surfaces. Halls Catarrh Med.
icine acts thru the blood Oh the mu.
cous surfaces Of the system
We will give one hundred Dollars
for any case OF Catarrhal Deafness
that cannot be cured by Halls Catarrh
Medicine Circulars free. All Drug.
gists i5c
F. ]. CHENEY CO., Toledo, q.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-27
Face the Truth.

There are times when we should be
thankful for the frankness that stings.
We do not know ourselves any too
we'll II others lend us their eyes for
n little, the revelation may be start
ling, but such unpleasant surprises are
of real service to us. Let MS be brave
enough to face the truth about our.
selves fearlessly. The friend who Is
frank Is the friend who really helps
Exchange.