Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-10
The Red Mouse
A Story Of Love, Jealousy and Politics
By WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

'Murgatroyd is making a name for him
SELF isn't hep
Shirley threw up her hands in indignation.
who wouldn't, with that stolen money to
back him." she exclaimed fercely.
Miriam shook her head.
He's doing good work with 1t. He's
breaking up the organizaton-the inside
ring. I'm sure that the effect Of his work
Is felt even over here" And then she
added vehemently: But his best work will
Cradlebaugh's. When he does that"
After he downs Cradlebaughs," inter-
rupted Shirley. III he ever does. hope he'll
down himself. That's my wish for Billy
Murgatroyd!"
"Murgatroyd is honest" protested Miriam.
Shirley smiled a hard smile.
You mistake his motive Shirley. He's
mbitious-frightfully ambitious. Why, even
now he's planning to go to the Senate" de-
clared Shirley: but she did not add that 1t
was she who had put the idea into his head.
Think Of Billy Murgatroyds being Senator
He'll ask billion the next time he's bought.
instead Of a million!' she wound up, scorn-
fully
You forget" quietly but forcibly re-
minded Miriam. that stand up for Murga-
| troyd."
Poor Miriam sighed Shirley to herself.
"she always was easily fooled" A moment
later she exclaimed "A typewriter"
| Il don't wonder at your suprise." said
, Miriam. But II is easy work and like It
| immensely. l work for different people In
the neighborhood," she went on to explain.
"A real estate dealer. one or two lawyers.
| It's"
She broke of abruptly. for they were in
terrupted by a faint whistle.
IT'S the speaking tube" said Miriam,
trembingly; but the next instant she was
in little dark alcove calling down the
tube.
Meanwhile Shirley allowed her gaze to
wander about the apartment. nothing had
escaped her notice. not even the cooking
that was going on in the kitchen.
Somebody whistled up the tube" said
Miriam, returning. but I couldn't get an
answer. can't imagine who 1t Is"
Then suddenly for the third time that 1T.
ernoon the outer door opened, but this time
1t was thrust open with great violence and
James Lawrence Challoner came into the
room with the stamp ~ tho gutter uuon him
Shirley was dumfounded Quickly hel
mind went back to that aIternoUn, ...g az.
it seemed when he had come home after the
tragedy. Then, II Is true he was unkemp,
| soiled, but now and she askef
herself whether it we're possible that Miriam
could not see the man as he really was. TIL,
answer was Immediately forthcoming fol
, Miriam went over and caught him in he,
embrace.
Poor Laurie, tired, aren't YOU, dear?
she said fondly; and then turning towar,
the girl; Here's an old friend of ours
, Shirley Bloodgood ~
80 I see," he growled; and without NOR
! ado he turned to Miriam and demands
gruffiy:
We'll. where's your money? I've got t
/ have some money right away"
i Miriam fumbled for an Instant at he
waist. She did this more for appearance
sake than anything else. for she well kne,
I that she had none to give him. Every da
she had given him about everything si
r made.
t "Yes. Laurie" she taltered, 'yes
course" And turning TO Shirley added b
. way OF apology for him. Such an ordeal g
Laurie has been through--such a strain"
! Shirley was In a panic. What she ha
. seen was enough to make her heartsick.
. "oh," she suddenly exclaimed, II ha,
forgotten all about father! left him alor
| II simply must p NV e.
' how glad . ." And turning to Cha
,, loner, she held out he.
. ignoring her completely. he again said
4 | his wife,
Miriam, where is that money?'
Laurie Is such business man no'
Shirley" said Miriam. smiling bravely
+; the girl.
Y But the contempt which Shirley felt 4
q the man before her was too great 4
d words; and she merely repeated:
Yes, / must be going nowl'
|. Half way across the room she halted. he
q itated for a moment, and then finally ope
v ing her purse. took from 1t fifty doll
y bill.
y There. Miriam" she said with a note
Is relief. "I have been meaning for a lol
time 10 nav back that fifty dollars be
}! roWed from you a few years ago-when
@ was SO hard up for money I'm asham
It not 10 have returned II before and it's ju
like YOU not to remind me- There, dei
d I've nut II on the chiffonier; and now, goo
hy" And she was gone before Mira
could even protest against her action.
Eor Miriam knew quite as well ms
IT ch,rIev that there never had been such
y. loan between them; and rushing out In
7! tha hall she called to the other TO cor
hac,x hut Shirley by this time was well o
"She,s gone I" Miriam declared foriorn
h. r.ntine from her fruitless chase.
II. ShIrieys flight did not worry Challon
.naS advantage of Miriam's tempora
ahsance 10 steal to the chinonier and
at ssizs the ffty-dollar bill. Miriam enter
sna room IN time to see him thrusting II II
I'd tIs nocket, and cried out angrtly:
81 aurie. I wish you 10 put that oae
mt uy. a.. not thieves; II does not belong
W ana I'm going to send IL back 10 Sh
3. ley"
At .swnst DO you think ami" he hns
g .'fss IS ~ 3 psas Mi - haseee1 /.
- " e61a III f ~. y. .Is NJ ~.