The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-06-14

[ cover. So we're quits there. III our
marriage comes out prcmaturoly, he
win he disinherltcd. SO we've agreed
J TO sub rosa arrangement which
leaves him. ostendbly. a marketable
I bachelor. Now | happen Go know "a
marriage has recently been offered
him thru which hr would immediate
/ " come into control or a hig pot OF
money. and naturally he's strong for
l ". But I refused his offer of a cool
half million 20 play the Reno circuit
and SO he concluded TO sue for a
divorce with revolver. a Maxim
silenccr, and perfect alibL DO you
I follow meg''
AS far as the aiihl-
Job. that's quite simple. We don't
live together. and he's In sure
enough society. and I'm not. To.
night the annual Hadlcy owen post.
lcntcn masquerade In fun swing
( Just around the corner. and friend
husbands there with the rest OF the
| naughty bunch. Can't you see how
easy IL would be for him 20 drop
round here between dances. murder
his lawful welded wife. and beat u
hack. without his absence ever being
noticed
1t does sound feasible. ir-ah--
sickening" y. syharite admitted
"nut realty, It's hard TO believe. Are
you positive
Il tell YOU" said the woman Inn
patiently. Il recognized him. | saw
his mouth-his mask wouldn't hide
that--and knew him instantly"
=. Syharitc was silent; he. too. had
recognized that mouth.
Briefly he meditAted uron this cur
ious freak OF kirmct that was link.
ing his fortunes OF the night with
those % the man with the twisted
mouth
Vow YOU know the lay OF the
iand-how about helping me outT"
Now the trail OF the man with the
| twisted mouth promised fair 20 lead
TO Molly Lessing. +. sybarite didn't
finger ON his decision.
I'm awr'ly impresaonabie.- he
| conceded with a sigh. some day
I'm afraid. irti get inc in a peck OF
I trouble"
4 can count on you them
short OF trying a prentice hand
az aasassination--"
Don't be an ass. only want 10
protect myself Besides. YOU can't
refuse, Consider how icnient I've
been with you"
T.. Sybaritc lifted questioning eye
brows. and dragged down the cor.
ners OF a dubious mouth.
III wanted TO b. nasty Airs.
fnchc explained. you'd be on your
way now TO n cell In the East Fifty.
first st station. But l was crate
full
The sasnts ~ praised for that
exclaimed the little man fcrventiy
whats Il forG"
For waking me up In time 10 pro
vent my murder In my sleep" she
returned cooily. "and also for being
the spunky little devil you are and
I chasing of that hound OF hue.
band az mine. II Il wasn't for you.
he'd We got me sure or else" she
amended. "f'd've got him. which
would have been almost as unpisas.
ant with being pinehed and
tried and having jurles disagree and
getting off at last only on the plea
OF insanity--and all that"
Madam" said y. Syhar1te. rising.
the more see Of you. the more
yon claim my admiration. I cntrcat
YOU. permit me 10 80 away before
my emotion despcns into disastrous
infatuatiou.''
sit down" coun,ered Mrs. Inche
amiably: don't be afrnid--f don't
bite. Now you know who am. but
before you so. mean to know who
you are
Michael Nonahan. madam" This
was the .irst alliterative combination
TO pop into his optimistic mind.
Can that" retortcd the lady
screneiy--''soidsr II up light. along
with the business OF pretending 20
be a cop. IL won't get you anything
i've a proposition 10 make to you. ="
But. madam he declared with
his naif and disarfning grin=-"b~.
iieve me-my young affections arc
already engaged"
You're not half the imbecile you
make yourself out" she Judged sob
eriy. "Comc-whnt's your name -
Taking thought. he saw no great
danger IN being truthful for once
''P., unfortunately. sybarite." he
said. 'bookkesper for Whigham and
wimper-leathcr merchants. Frank.
fort ST."
And how did you come by that
coat and har7'
Borrowed IL from a drunken cop
| In Penfield's. a little while ago. They
we're ralding the place and kind
OF wanted To get away. Strange TO
say. my disguise didn't take. and
| had TO leave by way OF the back
fences In order 10 continue unintcr-
rupted enjoyment Of the inalienable
rights OF every American citizen
life. liberty. the pursuit OF happi'
ness
II don't know why I believe you"
said Mrs. Inche reflecuvely. when
he paused for breath. Perhaps it's
your spendthrift way with language.
DO you talk like tina. when sober?''
Judge for yourself"
"Au right" she laughed indulg.
emily; Il believe everything you say.
Now what1t you take to do me a
service?"
my services. madam. are yours
TO command. my reward--ah---your
smile"
Bunk" observed tho lady elc-
gantIy. How would hundred look
TO you? Good, eh?'
you misJudge me-" the little man
insisted. Money Is really no OBJ
ject"
"suii"--she frowned I'm puzzle
ment--"I should think a clerk in the
! leather business"
"Pm afraid I've misled you.
should have said that I was Il clerk
in the leather business until today.
Now / happen 10 be Independently