Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-01

into big o. II have no chaperon."
Wont answer? suggested the prose-
| cutor lightly, oas he took her hand and
placing a chair close TO his desk, "sit here.
please"
The fact that I'm alone" went on
| Shirley, taking the seat indicated, but NOV
ing II little farther away from him.
| should prove conclusvely that I'm not
| afraid TO beard the lion In his den."
Did It require so very--much courageT
| he asked with mock seriousness.
Shirley made little moue.
| After last night, seems to me you're a
bear"
| MurRatroyd seated himself; II was thor
| oughly characteristic that he should waste
| little time on q preliminary skirmish with
any one.
Then it is about this chailoner affair
| that you have come to see rne?" he asked
| tactlessly II warn you, Shirley-dont!
| Hands of IL"
At once Shirley assumed an aggressive.
business-like attitude; close TO his desk she
| drew her chair. and then leaning on both
elbows looked Murgatroyd squarely In the
face and said with great earnestness:
BILLY Murgatroyd, you've got to help
these people out!
Murgatroyd flushed and answered with
smile:
| III SuCn u tiilnB "eie poSsioie' Sph iVss
| you're the one person to make me do II"
His compliment found her unresponsive:
| she was too preoccupied with her own
| thoughts.
you must do IT," she persisted. and
looked at him appealingly. "Of course the
man could not have been himself"
Probably not" he said coldy But of
one thing you may he sure, Challoner had
a purpose in all this
the changed the
tone Of his voice with versatility that
she declared to herself was little short OF
scandalous; he went on:
THAT purpose was to kill Hargraves.
Last night you heard his confession to that
effect this morning he substantiated 1t in
detail"
Shirley wrapped one hand over the other
| and sat looking at Murgatroyd with white
drawn face.
81 suppose you realize that this thing Is
going to kill Miriam Challoncr?'
The man shook his head vigorously.
''Bosh! II grief could kill the woman,
living with Challoner would have accom-
| plished that long ago"
"IIow unfeeling! How like a man! You
: understand women so we'll ~ she declared,
looking up at him with a mocking smile {;
| and then went on to plead: You must do
, somethng-you must get him free surely
: | II remains for his friend to do this much
, | for him! You will-won't you?" There
! was a suspicion of moisture In the girls
| eyes.
Shaking his head. Murgatroyd rose and
began to pace the floor. not because he
wanted to think, but merely to give the
girl time to regain her composure. At last
: he stopped directly in front Of her.
"shirley'-it was surprising how gentle
, his voice could be at tlmes-"I want you
to realize the circumstances OF this case
! | which YOU seem to have forgotten. In the
, presence of several people, including my
! self, this man has deliberately confessed to
a. premeditated murder man In my Gus
:, | tody is a witness to the facts; at least five
men know Of the motive-his quarrel with
| Colonel Hargraves. No." he concluded Sc.
yerely "if Challoner were my brother OF
I, | INV father, more than that, II you were ir
- | Challoner's place today, / should have tc
u try you--convict you. There would be nc
A | escape"
!" q "But the condition that made him Dc
this thing was abnormal she persisted
:; bad companions and bad habits hat
warped his mind"
Like other men Of his kind" returned
e Murgatroyd. "Challoners decent at times
conducts himself like man; but general!
speaking, he's irretrievably bad"
= But can't you delay the trial-get hin
=. off In some way--some time? There ar
ways--the thing is done every day. ant
you know It,"
Murgatroyd smiled srimly.
70 MY dear girl II would do this thing
I couldn't shall go a step farther. !
=, / could do IT, wouldn't couldn't lool
=, you in the face. guilty as should be o
i. gross malfeasance in my office" He wave'
. his hand in fnality. mot another word Of
the subject please"
you're immovable You're cruel" sh
CRIED rising to her feet Il ought not I
u have come However have done what
could for a friend" she fung back at him
looking him straight in the eye, and starte
:" toward the door.
Murgatroyd blocked her way.
NO" he said spontaneously, not tn
70 least disconnected by her parting shot, 1t
my turn now. You have attempted to cor
rupt me. swerve me from my duty and
~ "And wasted your time. I suppose, a
~ you were good enough to remind me on
- previous occasion " she returned, iookin
-, up saucily at him under her lashes.
. Murgatroyd was quick to detect he
change Of mood and took his courage !
both hands, saying:
r Wont you for the moment forget tn
10 Challoners, Shirley? Be kind-you Civ
me little opportunity to see you alone thes
l. days. Think only Of yourself and me
| .ani 70 "a ka n