The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-02-20
CHEAPLY
BOUGHT
By ALvAH JORDAN GARTH

uIuS, nor even Tor the exercise OF his
usual kindly, congenial and co-opera-
tive nature. His impulse was to evade
or pass by little boy and girl who,
spying him, ran eagerly in his direc-
ton. He forced a smile and tried to
act quite the big brother, for the little
fellow was the brother of Miss Lois
Beverly, which meant worlds to Al
| bion.
Not so much just now, however, as
week previous, for strange and puz-
ling change had come over the lovely
| and beloved sister of little Ned. It's
mystery and puzzling uncertainty en-
forced constant mental speculation as
| TO the cause and possible results.
While Albion, after a charming ac-
workmanship with Lois of many
months, had arrived at point where
he was about to confess his love, she
seemed suddenly to become a different
/ being. On one occasion he came upon
her in tears. During two subsequent
caHS she was sad, pale and reticent,
and arranged it so that he had no OPP
was mot at home" one evening, and
the next day he received a note from
| her in response to his own, canceling a
| party engagement upon which there
had been an agreement of mutual at
tendance.
| SO those were distressing and unSat-
isfactory days to the ardent lover,
held at a distance and helpless to dis
sipate the cloud that surrounded the
object of his truest affection. Albion
assumed a casual smile as little Ben
and a girl of his own age reached his
with an incongruous heap of cards, en-
velopes and folded bits of paper.
"Oh, Mr.. Dale!" piped the girl ex-
citedly, 1--WE is postmasters, and we're
selling letters. These" extending
some Cancelled post cards, "are a penny
apiece"
"Give me FIVE" encouraged Albion.
with the envelopes tied with ribbon,
mine are three for Nickel" announced
little Ben. Cali except this big one
That's real letter, and it's three
cents. found it on sisters writing
| desk"
run along to the candy store, little
! mail carriers" directed Albion, and
thrust his unique purchases in his
| pocket. He thought no more of them
| until he had reached home Then he
drew them forth to deposit in the
octa hn cIyn To
cent investment with a token of inter-
| est as he recalled what little Ben had
said regarding it. Involuntarily, al
most, he opened a folded sheet.
1t was written from Yorkton and
signed "Alex Tyrrell." 1t was very
| brief, addressed to Miss Lois Beverly
and read: 81 shall be at room 81,
Holland hotel, until Tuesday evening"
l warn you that if the two hundred
dollars is not produced by then, will
| make the document public"
The letter was a shock to Albion.
It's gross threat and familiarity
| stunned him. Was it possible that the
| documents covered some past entan-
clement of the woman he loved? Oh,
| never. never! Albion banished the
| thought. The writer, however, was,
! to shy the mildest, blackmailer. His
| eyes flashed. InStantaneouSly he de-
| cided what he would do. His should
| be the function to meet this Alex Tyr
rell and learn his secret power, and
rescue the girl he idolized from the
| pending menace,
That same day he reached Yorkton.
| It was early in the evening when AL
bion located the Holland hotel and
room 81. He knocked at its door. It
was opened by a mean-faced young
man.
This is Mr.. TyrrellT insinuated AL
bion.
well, I can take a message for
him." was the guarded answer.
II come from Miss Lois Beverly"
THAT'S all right" promptly replied
the man. "Come in. If she sent a
little necessary package. the rest is
easy"
1.-TWO hundrded dollars, I believer"
That's the sum-" answered Tyr
rell.
"And / get in return?"
'The notes that are signed by Miss
Beverlys brother. OF course, she has
told you that they represent gambling
debts, and include some signatures he
had no right to simulate"
Albion took 5000 from his pocket.
He recalled that Wendell Beverly, the
brother of Lois, had married a few
months previous, and that he had for
merly been somewhat reckless and dis
sipated.
"Those are all?" he questioned as a
little package was rendered.
"Yes. See here" said Tyrell, viewing
Albion with speculative eyes, 81 fancy
you have a peculiar interest in the
young lady. The returned notes will
subdue her tears. For another hun
drad tbnI1ph 7 will foil yo,, cop,a+lipr