The Cordova daily times., 1920-01-27
CORONA DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1920
THE WITCH-GIRL
By AGNES G. BROGAN.

 in the darkness Near it's foot stood the old Dingly mansion, to which the family returned each summer, sojourn- ing there until fall.
 The Dingly name was one known in financial circles. Jim Forest was not surprised that the fnancier himself found pleasure in the relaxation of country hills. Forest counted upon the light from the windows of the man. slon to show him his way. He was driving, at this late hour, to the isO- lated home of a client who felt called upon hurriedly to make his will. But as Forest slowly approached, the great house lay in darkness, the fam fly evidently having departed for the city earlier than usual. Well, there was nothing for it but to try the turn to the right, with headlights OF, which the lawyer proceeded to do. No sooner had the brilliancy streamed out before him than he drew back astonished.
 At the entrance to the mansion, in the silence of this midnight hour, alone and waving toward him desper- ately, stood slight girlish figure. He noted her broad black hat, and soft black fur which seemed to frame her face and bring out it's wistful beauty.
 "Will you please" she called, "give me lift?'
 Forest stopped the car. The girl jm- mediately sprang into it, huggng in her arms small bag.
 You do not ask my destination he said. T am travelling down an unfre- quented way.
 The girl nodded.
 But you will have to go back to the city" she said.
 Il may be detained" he warned her.
 His passenger settled back with sigh.
 Then I'll just have to wait for you," she said. Its my only hope of get ting to the city tonight"
 And it is necessary that you re- turn?'
 She motioned toward the desolate house.
 One couldn't stay there" she re- sponded.
 Forest bent toward her, earnestly searching the sweet, upraised face
 "Oue might wonder at your being there alone at this hour," he sug- gested"
 And one might explain" the girl re- piled, that coming from the city un- expectedly on the trolley, one was dis appointed in finding the family away from home. Ones only hope of return ing to shelter being dependent upon some generous driver"
 You might" Forest said, "be some witch of the night, bringing me under your spell"
 "And you might" she retorted, ''be a daring highWayman, intent upon stealing my purse"
 He wrapped the rug about the girl when he went into the home of his client, and it was with strange reIuc- tance that he left her. His errand oc- cupying more than an hour he hastened, after it's accomplishment, back to his waiting car.
 The girl had completely disap- peared. A thorough search failed to reveal her presence anywhere. Slow ly, ever hopelessly searching, Forest drove his way cityward But when he reached his apartment sleep was im- possible.
 Anxiously, eagerly, thought of the Witching girl possessed him.. Why had she come to him? Where had she gone?
 Weary-eyed, he opened next morn ing his paper, breakfast untasted be- fore him. 1n glaring headlines sen tence caught his eye:
 Emerald necklace stolen from Dingly country residence while family spend evening in city"
 Jim Forest turned cold So he had been the dupe to assist in the get away. Not for moment, 'cmember- ing that appealing face, did he blame the girl. She must in some way have been imposed upon by the real culprit. Perhaps she had tried, in invading his car, to elude her prosecutors. only to be discovered during his absence in his clients home
 The heretofore calm heart of James Forest contracted painfully. Upper most in his conflicting emotions was determination to protect this little un- known girl. iEe reached for the tele- phone and called the house of Dingly.
 'As to the necklace? Oh, yes! They were sorry that they had been so nasty in notifying the police. Isobel, their only daughter, being in the city upon a visit, had decided to hurry out to her home to procure the necklace to wear at an evening affair. She had her own key a44d was surprised at the ab- sence of her family. Awaiting their return until late in the e"ening, she had at last despaired of 1t, and sought assistance from a passing autOist, who