Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-19

treat me 90 cruelty. unless some in
fernal -innuepcs had been brought to
bear upon her."
TITS possible. but II"
"Oh, ]. don't mean that foolishness
about her love being a mans death
warrant. That may have something
to do with 1t. put--but--I conquered
tat once. !. No; somebody has
got hold Of her, worked on her SYM
pathies, rnaligned me J" (2.s
"Do you object to telling me whom
you have In mind2"
''The man you suspect MS well as -
the one man to whom her allegiance
means eyerything-the man you named
to me the night we met for the first
time, as the one who'd profit the most
by keeping her from leaving the
stage"
y well, fits Max. you'll know in
time"
"I'll know before long. As soon al
he gets back In town" I'd *
ESQ you've been after him."
"Why notl But he's out on the Pc.
81 sll.- z 3 & = .GU +. 4
cifc coast or 50 they tell me at tte
theater. Expected back about the
middle Of july they say In his Office"
Then that let's him out"
"But it's q lie."
"Well-?''
"I've just remembered: Max was It
the Fiske place, urging her to return,
the night before you caught Drum
mond at the bungalow. 1 saw them,
walking up and down in front of the
cottage, arguing earnestly: could
tell by her bearing she was refusing
whatever he proposed. But didn't
know her then, and naturally never
connected Max with the fellow saw,
disguised in motoring coat and cap.
Neither of 'em had any place in my
thoughts that night"
Ember uttered q thoughtful "OhT
adding: 'There maybe something in
what you say-suspect, that is. II !
agree to keep an eye on him, will you
promise to give me free handY"
"Meaning-Y
keep out Of Max's way: don't risk
. wrangle with him.
"Oh-so ahead-to blazes-as far
as you like"
Thanks" Ember d1yly wound up
the conference; "but these passing
flirtations with your present-day tenn
per leave me with no hankering for
greater warmth" -.
Days ran stoIidiy on into weeks. ana
these into month. Nothing happened.
Max did not return; the whispered ru-
NOR played wildfire in theatrical cir
cies that the eccentric manager had
encountered financial difficulties insu-
perable. The billboards thanking the
entrance to the Theatre Max contin-
ued to display posters announcing the
reopening early In September with
musical comedy by lyman Dodd; but
the comedy was not even In rehearsal
by September Is.
Ember went darkly about his vari-
GUS businesses, taciturn-even trace
more than ever reserved in his COM
munication with Whitaker-preoccu-
pied, but constant in his endeavor to.
enhearten the Responding husband.
Mary Whitaker made no sign. Now
and then Whitaker would lose patience
and write to her. He received not .
line Of acknowledgment.
Sometimes, fretted to a frenzy, he
sought out Ember and made wild and
unreasonable demands upon him.
These failing Of any effect other than
the resigned retort, II am detective,
not miracle-monger," he would fly
into desperate. gnawing, black RACES
that made Ember fear for his sanity
and self-control and caused him to be
haunted by that gentleman for hours
once or twice for days-until he re-
sumed his normal poise Of a sober and
civilized man. He was, however, not
often aware Of this sedulous espio-
mage. &
(To Be Continued)