The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-10-19
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
The Hidden Brand.

III NS'l i'~i1'iNE' iNA''N' 80
tempt to get rid of Peter, and know
ing that he had not much longer to
remain at liberty, determined to pre-
vent Hale's marriage with Philippa,
whom he still believed to be the girl OF
the Double Cross.
In his carrier days he had formed .
a friendship with certain woman
who went by the name Of Kate Kern. !
Bentley found her useful in many Oh
his schemes and it occurred to him
now that she might be Of some as
SiStance In the plan he had in mind.
With this idea he called and ex-
planned in detail exactly what he
hoped to accomplish. i
81 have put your old friend Shorty
in the Traver house." he said, with a
sinister leer, "and he'll find out for
me whether this Philippe Brewster Is
really the girl of the Double Cross.
think she is, but l must now be sure"
"But what am l to dO?"
"Just this: "Therell be few pho
tographs sent, here. Shorty will bring
them. Hold on to them till l call for
them"
Bentley was so intent on his errand
that lie did not notice that he mad
been followed to her apartment.
No sooner had he left than the door
was burst open and Jack Dunn-an
admirer of Kates-strode into the
room and at once began to upbrald
her.
NOW, now, Jack" she coaxed,
"that's Bentley; I've known him for
years."
"Tm wise to him, all right, and you
let him alone-you hear? Let him
alone"
These words were spoken simultane-
ously with ring at the bell, and Bent
ley was again ushered into the apart
ment. He paid no attention to DUNN
who scowled darlzly at the object OF
J his hate.
! "COme here, Kate" said Bentley
and. as she passed across the room
he spoke In a: whisper: 'Tt's all right
} I met Shorty, on the street. Philippe
Brewster is net the girl of the Double
Cross, after all; he has 1t straight.
7 "Now, don't make any mistake abou
, the pictures. I'll call for, them"
J BENTLEY, having mapped out hi
course, hurried to a telegraph ofi1c'
and sent two identical kilograms
? one to Philippa Brewster, the other Z
) Peter Hale. They read:
\ VIII explain the mystery Of tn
Double Cross. Come to West Cottage
} Pelham, tonight at six.
: The Masked Stranger.
( Philippa was in her room with ne
; friend, Therese Traver, when the telt
} gram arrived. 1t was not opened in
\ mediately.
< An hour before she had remarke
y to Therese that the double cross o
= her arm had caused her enough Vexi
= ton.
& 81 think" said Philippa, "that II
= could paint it out it might be goo
Y thing" -
\ "Decidedly good" agreed Therese
X Whereupon the two girls coneocte
v a mixture of paint and powder al
- with a small brush and little p
Fl tience soon ObIiterated all traces
c the double cross. Philippa held up n
+ barred arm. "There," she said, Il
+ umphantIy. At this particular m
! ment the head of the new Traver Dt
/ Ter was thrust through the door
i ask some trivial question.
! He had been there but monel
+ hut he could see very plainly that t
Z arm Of PhiIippa Brewster was deVC
! Of any disfguring mark. Having
{ ceIyed his answer he made haste
+ reach Bentley and acquaint hin. wi
/ his discovery.
! And with the exercise of a lit
II diligence he was back inside
Traver house without exciting s.
picion.
IS Indeed, 1t, was Shorty himself W
q, delivered the telegram to Miss Bre
nd ster Just before the arrival OF ID
a, Annessiey. That young man was
~ ceived by Therese, who called Philip
and both having helped themselves
some of the candy Mr.. Annessley
pd thoughtfully brought settled down
quiet conversation.
- Philippa's pet dog sat up and beg
~ for the candy and later having sa
ID fed himself on this score began
worry the telegram that Phi
% had In her hand when she ca
downstairs.
this "Pm afraid l shall have to CO."