The Raymer enterprise., 1917-01-25
Seventeenth EPISODE
The Vanishing Faker

Inc Stni0 NllsEp, VINO III MS many
years Of faithful service rs butler In
the Golden household had seen many
strange and unusual happenings. was
ut that moment decidedly perplexed.
Unless his beloved young mistress had
been suddenly bereft OF her senses why
was she indulglng 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 Ifs sollcltous anxiety turned to her
red-faced companion.
~ think understand the code fairly
well now" she said with quiet salts
faction. "und you certainly have been
d very efficient teacher"
Don't mention 1t. Miss Golden" an
swered her battered companion.
The man speaking In this jocular
vein was the redoubtable Captain
Brackett OF headquarters. who had
taken upo6 himself. to the exclusion
Of all other duties, the self-asslgned
task of rounding up that mocking and
elusive parsonage known as the
Laughing Mask.
A thick set detective now came brisk
Iy down the rass-bordered path and
respectfully saluted his chief. After
O low-toned conference with this man.
Captain Brackett excused himself and
hurried away. Left alone, Margery
sat down on rustic bench close by a
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 dlsap-
pointed In that young man.
The siIver-backed mirror slipped
from the fingers Of the abstrncted
girl and dropped with little clatter
on the graveled walk nj her feet.
Housed from her reyerie she stopped
to pick II up and as she did SO n
curious thing happened. Reflected in
thut circular hand-elnss was the
Image Of man. peerlng out through
mn opening In the lilac bush. Covering
his face wns the familiar yellow mask
with the laughing month.sllt. More
determined than ever to ascertain the
Identity Of her mysterious protector
Margery quickly lodged around the
lilac bush. hoping by this flank move
nIent TO take the intruder by surprise
But Margery. herself, WINS the one sur,
trised. for no trace Of that masked and
evnsive figure rewarded her thorough
search.
To her further bewllderment she
suddenly saw David Mnnley dressed
In his motorcycle togs. standing on
the other side OF the strangely pro-
ducuye bush.
"What are you doing heref" she In
quired icily. "fou seem to have ac.
qulred rather lmpolite habit of
startling people by springlng out OF
the ground quite unexpectedly"
As David reddcned under the sting
OF this cutting remark he realized
that Margory's faith In him was de
cidedly shaken.
Atm awfully sorry annoyed you.
Margery." he stamrnered apologetieal-
". "but Aunty Rlcks over at the old
homestead telephoned could have one
of the litter of collie pups-they're
prize-utnnlng stock. you know. Before
/ pick one out l thought I'D ask you II
ron had any particular preference for
markings."
Margery promptly AMI ungratefully
rejected this proposed peace offering.
But despite her cool treatment VI
pnSy. Margcry cent q look OF tender
ssea.ss sffsr Ma dsiectsd figure bur