Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-04-06
SEVENTEENTH EPISODE
The Vanishing Faker

The staid Wilson. who in his many
years of faithful service as butler in
the Golden household had seen many
strange and unusual happenings, was
at that moment decidedly perplexed.
Unless his beloved young mistress had
been suddenly bereft of her senses why
was she indulging in such queer and
childish antics out there in the rose
garden.
AS Wilson turned from the window
sadly shaking his old head the object
of his solicitOus anxiety turned to her
red-faced companion.
81 think understand the code fairly
well now" she said with quiet salts
faction, "and you certainly have been
very efficient teacher"
Don't mention it, Miss Golden" an
swered her fattered companion.
Tie man speaking in this jocular
vein was the redOubtable Captain
Bracket of headquarters. who had
taken UPON himself, to the exclusion
of all other duties, the self-assigned
task of rounding up that hooking and
elusive parsonage known as the
Laughing Mask.
A thick-set detective now came brisk
ly down the grass-bordered path and
respectfully ssluted his chief. After
a low-tOned conference with this man.
Captain Bracket excused himself and
hurried away. Left alone, Margery
sat down on a rustic bench close by
Towering bush of fragrant lilacs, her
hands toying Idly with the mirror as
she gave herself up to her not alto
gether pleasing thoughts. For these
thoughts, in large measure, concerned
her fathers secretary, David Manley,
and of late she had been greatly disap-
pointed in that young man.
The silver-backed mirror slipped
from the fingers of the distracted
girl and dropped with a little clatter
on the Eraveled walk at her feet.
Reused from her reverie she stopped
to pick II up, and as she did so a
curious Thing happened. Reflected in
that circular hand-glass was the
image Of a man, peering out through
an opening in the lilac bush. Covering
his fare was the familiar yellow mask
with the laughing mouth-slit. More
determined than ever to ascertain the
identity of her mysterious protector,
Margeey quickly lodged around the
lilac bush, hoping by this flank move
ment 20 take the intruder by surprise.
But Margery, herself, was the one sur
prised, for no trace Of that masked and
evasive figure rewarded her thorough
search
To her further bewilderment she
suddenly saw David Manley, dressed
In his motorcycle toys, standing on
the other side of the strangely pro-
ductiye bush.
''What are you doing here?" she In
quired ;cily. "You seem to have &C
quired a rather impolite habit OF
startling people by springing out OF
the ground quite Unexpectedly"
As David Redeemed under the sting
OF This cutting remark he realized
cidedly shaken.
Tim awfully sorry annoyed you
Ma.gery," he stammered apologetical
ly, 'but Aunty Kicks over at the ole
homestead telephoned could have one
of the litter Of collie pups-they're
prize-winning stock. you know. Before
I pick one out thought I'd ask you Il
you had any particular preference fol
markings"
Margery promptly and ungratefull!
rejected this proposed peace offering.
But despite her cool treatment o.
Davy, Margery sent a look Of tende
concern after his detected figure bur