Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-23
big whitney town house tiptoed Doris
whitney

II was nearly theater time and her
father had promised Doris and her
adopted sister. Ncrda Crane. treat.
Upstairs Verda was putting on the
everlasting finishing touches. but Doris
had hurried to get ready. for few
precious minutes alone first with the
buoy steel maSnate meant more 10 her
than even tho whole evening at the
theater Her father looked worried
lately, and Doris felt that he needed
a daughters love and care
She paused a moment TO survey her
self in her newest and prettiest even
ing gown. Surely. its beauty might
help to smooth out the wrinkles thst
had been deepening in his face. Art
less. she did not stop to think how in
cxpressibly more fascinating was the
x!rlish figure tire gown at once con-
cealsd ana revealed. Nor had the mir
ror set spoiled By its sophistca,ion
the charm and vivacity OF nature.
About her neck she had placed
peculiar vsn-jeweled locket. which
her father had given her SO long ago
that she could not remember. She
smiled TO herself in anticipation of the
surprise she would give him.
Outside the pcrtieres she paused
again. All was silent within. Judson
Whitney must be alone. She was
rather glad. for since the coming OF
his new secretary, Jack Ramsay. only
tWo weeks before, he had been work
ing too hard. She knew il. Yes, she
would give him IL surprise. then take
him of for the pleasure he SO sorely
needed.
Doris reached up and one lovely arm
SraSped each curtain. With n ro:uiSh-
ly graceful sweep she pulled the por-
Neres apart
Darkness.
Double Tragedy.
Hcr smile changed TO a gasp OF ter
yor. What old il mean? She knew
that her father could not have zone
: out.
: Suddenly the hash of an electric
oulrs-eye played full at her. j., blind
ed her for tho moment. She screamed,
pulling the por;iercs together again.
Help! Jamcs-Mr. Ramsay-some-
. one-help."
A noise as OF some heavy object
aropped On the hardwood moor inside
startled hsr. TO har. fear was alien
she pulled the curtains apart again
AHd peeked in. The intruder had
dropped the spotlight. and as it rolled
~ eouia Just distinguish his legs. re-
treating
II rolled further. There. huddled
against the corner OF the library table
on the noer. was crump!ed the body OF
man whom she mad never seen be-
fore-a dark. foreign looking man with
beard. Across his white-shirte ed
breast was red band of ribbon. On
the shirt was spot OF red-no, ribbon
-srowinE-biood!
The spotlight rolled further. Again
Doris screamed. No, two fee, away.
en- the Moor beside him. lay the body
CT her father:
The spotlight stopped pointing its
rag full into the empty fireplace.
Back o: her now she heard foot
steps. Tie butler and the maid were
coming. Some one else had joined
them. Perhaps II vas Mr. Eamsay.
Embroidered, desperate. she cropped into
The room and picked UP the fallen
fsshl!sh,. Why she did i, she did no,
know. bu, ins;ino;!vcly she turned the
beam al the shadowy figure that was
Ietreatlps toward pair Of French
windovs. As she flashed it on him,
The intruder turned full AZ her his face
80 II.
In terror and amazement Sne scream
ed again. blinking into the slsr. was
the face OF the new secretary. Jack
Ramsay.
Through the window he backed
nockiiSly. rs Doris, overcome. dropped
on her knees beside her father. She
could hear the man Chamber down the
porch to the ground and crash through
The shrubbery, away. while she sd nh
beside the BODY. kissin: the face.
Al that moment the butler and the
maid ran in. And with them WAS the
living counterpart OF the young man
who had just ned through the window,
Cal fer Help.
As the young man switched on tine
lights, Doris cried out At sight OF him.
Instead OF noticing her scream how
over, he lcaped TO the partly open
french windows. Doris shuddercd as
he passed her.
Ramsay huns open the Windows and
ran out on the porch. There ne quickly
pulled an automatic and hired into the
air 20 attract attention. Nor was tho
shot without eject. Far down the
road policeman heard it and began
20 run toward the Whitney mansion
Upstairs. too. Verda, putting IN extra
pat 10 her dress o. nun in her hair.
Surveying herself with satisfaction
heard. She also ran from her room
instantly the whole peaceful Whit
neg house Vas In uprosr
Telephone for the detectives" or
sered tbs young secretary, az he dashed
oaek In from the window. Get water
and b.ndaGe6."
The butler ooeyed dazedly, se!xins
the telephone receiver. while the maid
N panic ran from the room
Doris in tears. almost frantic Al he
ING In the same room with th,g man
could not make up her mind What TO
90 On her knees she bent over her
ftther again and tried 20 reviy. him
covering his still warm face with
KISSES and crying hystericaliy. now
and 'hen casting q fearful glance "a,
Ramsay.
Ramsay. bending over the pesrded
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