The Topeka state journal., 1919-08-02

quietly and deliberately lifted the bag
from its resting place and let 1T sink
noiselessly down on her own side of
the little partition. She went on writ
ing for several minutes without NOV
Ing. Then 1t was withdrawn and
secreted somewhere in the folds Of that
beguilingly funereal apparel. Then ]
saw her calmly fold up the last of her
notes. address an envelope. and seal 1t.
Having done that she rose quietly from
her chair, glanced absently about her
and stepped demurely across the heav-
lily carpeted room and out through the
door: pleasantly requested a taxicab
of the starter. and gathered up her
skirts with what must have been
distinct but altogether misleading
sense Of triumph.
For I was close on her heels, every
move. But instead OF ordering sec
ond taxi. this time. I climbed in right
after my billowy pennyweighter.
It was anything but friendly smile
with which the lady in the war-widow
toys accosted me as I piumped down
In the seat beside her.
You've made quite a haul today"
I companionably and yet at the same
time pointedly announced, in an effort
to get even with her for that stare. =
Il md that you are annoying me-
she said with ALMOST bored unconcern.
and distasteful as It may be, must
stop and complain TO the first ofteer
We meet"
1T will not be necessary TO stop"
told her as lifted my waist revers and
flashed my Alliance shield. for you've
got the ofieer right here beside you,"
She glanced down at the shield with
ont a tremor She didn't even seem
interested in II.
She leaned forward and tapped on
the glass, with a command for the
driver to stop at the next corner.
'It's no use." told her.
why isn't it?" she demanded.
Because my only alternative will be
to order this driver to. take US both to
tho nearest station-house"
Don't be absurd" she said. settling
rather heavily back in her seat. You
don't understand. I see, Just who
ann
Il intend to nnd out" averred-
I'm scarcely in the habit of ex-
planning myself 70 people she an
nounesd.
DO you know winkfred Ealand?"
hunE out at her. And ] had the salts
faction of seeing her start.
II should say did" was her prompt
and somewhat unexpected reply to that
question. 4 suspicion of guile came
for the first time into her almost in
fantile- looking eyes. She again leaned
forward In her seat, in fact and raped
sharply on the eab-front.
| Driver she said. with what knew,
was merely well-feiEned perturbation.
II md I have forgotten a parcel-a
valuable parcel. Take me right back to
Blltman q Tayior's. And please
hurryI" The tAxicab cireled the square
and turned southwark again. The
maneuver was as transparent as the
glass between and the driving
rain. Ny baby war-widow had
realized that II would never do for me
to ascertain her home address. or even
the fence" for which she may have
been heading.
I sat there pensive for minute or
two. thinking Of winlSie and-wonderins
what to do.
And where would you like to get
out?" sweetly inquired the woman at
my side. Her ingenuousness was al
most childlike. But It failed 10 make
an impression on me.
When you do" was my curt re-
sponse. And she sighed audibly, with
the plaintive patience of, a much-tried
woman doing her best to be reason
able.
But had formulated a plan OF action
by this time. and stuck to her like a
leech. stepped out of the cab when
she did, and waited under the dripping
canopy In front Of Blitman & Taylor
until she paid her fare. followed her
in through the double swing doors and
still kept after her, like a harbor-tus
nosing after a liner. I still kept in her
wake as she sailed majestically up to
the elevators. And by one OF those
odd little condolences which often
make life quite as romantic a. fiction
itself. at Just about that time caught
sight of Toosey AttrilI herself What
made things more interesting was the
fact that Toosey promptly yet eau
tiousiy threw me the code sign TO keep
off her beat. And It wasn't until J
followed Toosey and my war-widow "
into the steel cage-that I fully realized
the nature Of Toosey's preoccupation
For within three feet of me I noticed
J by the mirror set in the wall Of that
crowded elevator, stood a pert-eyeo
woman whom at once recognized as a
pocket slasher" known to the profes-
sion, I remembered. as Trixie Tisdale
Incomplete as was my view OF hel
In the mirror. I noticed that she pressed
q little closer to my placid eyed Svar-
widow. I caught a glimpse OF certain
extremely guarded exploratory move
; ments, and then the even more guarded
downward sweep OF her right hand
which told me as plain as words tha'
. the redoubtable Trixie was revertinl
to her old-time arts Of ''slashing" and
'poke-swagging."
lust what her haul was couldn.
. make out It disappeared too quickly
into the secret split skirt pocket which
she wore for such occasions
had only time. as we moved IN Z
: body out of that crowded elevator, 4
, ny q distress signal for Toosey's OBJ.
: servation. She edged toward me at ;
petticoat-counter. seemingly intent OF
a study of changeable taffeta-
> '-roosey,| said. as studied & com.
q panion garment, that plump widow a
= the end OF this aisle is a Jewell thief
q want YOU to trail her"