The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-26
Love Affairs of a
Lonely Woman
By MARY HAu

suddenly darted upward and Inc tnlch
book shot into the leering face of Pedro
CabanneIlo.
The heavy metal back of the volume
struck the leering mouth. Its impact was
so swift and terrible that the man Stun
bled backward, falling on the floor. Jane
gasped and restrained a scream as Nor
timer sprang to his feet. Before Caban-
nello could rise the broker was upon
him and in another instant the South
American was being dragged toward the
door
Pedro's face, bleeding from the bruise
left by the heavy book, was a composite
of terror and pain. AS Mortimer. exert
ing his full strength, flung him into the
outer office, Jane mustered enough en-
ergy to arise Even in the brief flash
of time in which it all happened she
realized that it was she who had in
advertently caused the horrible develop
ment Not for his own reputation nor his
own business had stirred the usually af-
fable Mortimer to this stress; it was the
nsinuation against her own reputation
which had suddenly turned the man into
an avenging tiger.
She must stop him before something
more desperate happened. Even as she
sprang forward the brokers' arm sud
denly shot out and clinched fist landed
on the swarthy cheek of Pedro. The
man was in such position that he was
propelled a dozen feet along the floor by
the terrific blow
"Oh, Mr.. Mortimer she gasped
please don't strike him."
But, drawn to his full height, his feat
ures chalky with fury and deadly de-
for ira ba hr01xpr rn
to hear her plea.
Stand up, Cabannello" he cried, as
the aged hookl<eeper watched the strange
scene, petrifed with astonishment
stand up while you have the chance"
Cabannello, clawing at his CORY face.
hewildered at the sudden onslaught, shut
fled weakly to his feet, a fearful sight.
Mrotimer. shoulders squared, advanced
slowly toward the man, with his fingers
closing and unclosing though he
planned to strange the other.
"Cabannello!' he cried, with vibrant
voice. Before you get out of here, and
in front of the bookkeeper and my
self, apologize to Miss Brown, quict,"
His hands, as Jane saw them behind
his back, were elenching again; only
the paralysis of her terror constrained
her from crying out again.
Cabannello Strengthened up with diff
Guilty. In his black eyes, already swell
ing from the blow inside, was the look of
a whipped cur Unsteady turning to-
ward Jane he murmured abjectly, II beg
Your pardon, senorita.'
With the words, Mortimer's fingers re-
la Nd as he raised an arm toward the
outer door.
mo, out with you, Cabannello," he
said in a low tone which still pulsated
with menace. 81 will mail you a cheek
for the time you have worked this week.
play fair with my men, which is more
than YOU deserve. But don't forget one
ing"
Pedro, snatching his hat from his desk,
vas already facing the door. He turned
back as the other hesitated.
Don't forget that if you try any
embarrassing with me. or any more
currsh remarks about Miss Brown, that
will shut your mouth so effectively that
you'll never squeak again. Mortimer con-
tinued
AS the furtive eyes of the other sought
his the broker held up a clenched fist,
adding: And. Pedro, don't forget that
I'm a bad actor when I get started. You
may have heard that from some of the
other men in my crowd. I've never
sqTealed. I've never WEIGHED. I've never
broken faith with a pal. And never
failed to get my man when I've had a
fair and square grudge. Keep off, Pc
in South American
The other. wiping his bloody face with
a handkerchief, turned and passed out of
the general office without another word
or look, Mortimer, his plump fingers adj
jus ing his scarf and coat lapel, turned
with a forced calmness toward Jane
Brown.
will YOU come back into my office
and take some dictation?" he asked.
Jane Gent before him without a word.
She, too, was struggling to control her
self. Inside the office, Mortimer closed
the door SLOWLY. and standing by it faced
her. still e-faced. but his clear eyes
burning with intensity.
Miss Brown, he said, IT apologize for
losing my temper in front of you. But
that man is a crook, and a crooked crook
at that-not real one. I have had a
curious life and met fellows like him
before. But learned that the only way
, to deal with such rats is the strong arm
method. / came from part OF, the coun-
try where women's regulations are de-
! Tended to the death, and think so much
of you that I am willing to face the law
or the electric chair to protect you"
James eyes dropped before his be-
wildering forceful gaze.
'1ll never give you such fright again
hope" continued Mortimer. But If Pc
dro Cabannello ever crosses my path
or yours, to my Knowledge will kill
him.
CTo be continued tomorrow
Copyright, 1919 Thompson Feature
Service)