Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-02-21
The Precious
Parcel
iSiI. western Newspaper UsIoa.I
By WALTER JOSEPH DELANEY

"A precious parcel, Miss Lane
spoke Hall Barton, secret service man.
at represents the best roundup OF the
department for ten years. See" and
the keen-eyed. pleasant.faced sleuth
hlpped over half dozen bundles Of
greenbacks and then rolled them up 10
three MANILA paper coverings md
/ placed the package In front OF thu
pretty stenographer employed by the
Merchants bank OF woodyIlle.
"what am to do with Il. pIenser
she inquired.
Just lock Il up somewhere and
Will call for II In a day or two" Their
his voice dropped to a whisper and the
janitor, putting the place In order.
failed TO catch the import OF the sub
dued tones.
The detective smiled. and Nellie
smiled, too. She nodded her head In.
diligently and arose and placed the
package In drawer and locked Il.
II will have the cnshier place Il In
the safety vault In the morning." she
said. but her visitor did not seem In
the least anxious about a package
which. Judging from the contents. rep.
resented large surface value.
II was after banking hours. but Mel
lie bad some pressing work that would
keep her late nt her desk. Mr.. Gregory
Vale and his son. Clinton. had gone to
n bankers convention at the county
seat and would not return until later.
young Mr.. Vale told me that wns
to bring you a hot supper from the
hotel when I come on watch duty at
nine O'clock" the janitor said.
mfr. Vale is very thoughtful" muir.
INJURED the young lady.
And be viii CT. yhep the clever
o'clock train comes In to See You home
safely. he told me-" -',r-,..---.
Nellie 1uttercd and flushed. She
more than liked Clinton Vale. II was
a strange circumstance, her present
environment. Gregory Vale, after CD
erating his old established bank on a
humdrum basis for n quarter OF a CEN
fury. had decided to put In plate glass
and marble counters and electric lights
OF course an up-to-date stenographer
and typist must follow. Nellie Lane
had been hired from the city and
Jewel OF industry she proved. At the
very first Clinton Vale had fallen In
love with her. Now Clinton feared
and Nellie suspected that the precise
and coid-blooded father would replace
her with successor to break up their
budding love romance.
Not that Mr.. Vale did not value Mel
lie at her true worth. but she was poor.
and HIS son could take his pick among
a choice bevy OF heIresses. and money |
was the god OF the old banker.
The janitor pulled down the shades
and left the bank. He was to return
In -four hours. Nellie got out a great
pile or papers and began to work. She
WINS fully engrussed In her task. an
hour later. when she started, paled and
stared with u thrill at three men.
Don't scream or stir, or get hys-
terics, little one" spoke their leader
smoothly. "we're here to do a Job
and all you've got TO do Is TO keep
quiet. She's your special care. JIM"
and trnnquilly one Of his pals slouched
Into a seat opposite Nellie, revolver In
hand.
I'VE have three safe hours" resumed
the leader. SECT out the tools. OF
course the stuff Is In the vault. Rig I'D i
the oxyacetylene torch and wen burn
out the locks"
Nellie was helpless 20 defy or bafie
The cracksmcn. but she thought hard.
She knew that aside from the regular
funds. the bank carried all the cash
tax collections OF the district, amount.
ing TO half million dollars.
whats pleasing your" projected
The main burglar. as Nellie INDUCED
In a gleesome chlrp OF n laugh.
Il was thinking you'll waste your
time" replied Nellie cooily. ''There
ire two more doors 20 get through and
! double safe TOTO"
"CrnckT grinned the burglar.
"Yes," nodded Nellie. "BesldeS, you
viii spoil the beautiful locks 0nl yuu
ook wicked enough TO carry of lot
n stun belonging TO clients ami all
hat. There's money enough lying
Dose outside here to satisfy any rca-
'onable robber."
you're an original onel" chuckled
ne admlring crncksman. II suppose
Iou1l show US where this aforesaid !.
money isr'
II will ASSURED Nellie. promptly.
II you promise % 60 away and not
~ to get into that vault"
And how much loose change do you :
et us gather upr propounded the fel-
ow satirically.
"0h about two hundred thousand
Iollars. There's key. Open that