The state herald., 1920-03-26

posed Of. and the young woman began
to grow Impatient.
"Well. you brought me here" she
said, at last. you've fed me. and you
don't feed anybody. Coward. without
purpose. What's the consideration ?''
'I'm pulling on little Joke, and l
want you to help me. You know Elden
Dave EldenT
"Sure. I've known him ever since
that Jolt put him out Of business up in
your rooms, ever so many years ago.
He was too rural for that mixture"
II want you to get him down to
your place some night to be agreed
upon-rll fx the date later-and keep
him there until call for him. with
his fancee."
Some Joke" she said. and there was
disgust in her voice. "who ID It on
Eden. me. or the girif
"Never mind who it's on" Coward
returned. "I'm paying for II. Here's
something on account, and II you make
= good job Of It I won't be stingy."
He handed her q bill. which she
kissed and put In her purse. II peed
the money. Coward, or I wouldn't
take It,"
This part Of his trap set. Coward
awaited a suitable opportunity to
spring It. In the meantime he toOE
Mrs. Hardy partially into his conf
dence. He allowed her to believe. how.
ever. that Elden's habits would stand
correction and he had merely arranged
to trap him in one Of his favorite
hnunts. She was very much shocked
and thought 1t was very dreadful. but
"of course we must save Irene"
But concerning another part Of his
program Coward was even less frank
with Mrs. Hardy. He was clever
enough to know that he must observe
certain Limitations.
At length all his plans appeared to
be complete. The city was In tumult
Of excitement over the war. but for
Coward a deeper interest centered
in the plot he was Matching under the
unsuspecting noses Of Irene and Eden
II he could trap Dave the rest would
be easy. II he failed In this he had
another plan to give failure at least
the appearance Of success.
The fact that the nation was now
at war probably had an influence In
speeding up the plot. Everything was
under high tension; powerful currents
Of thought were bearing the masses
along unaccustomed channels; society
itself was In 4 state Of fiux. II he
were to strike at all let the blow fall
at once.
On this early August night he ascer-
tnined that Dave was working alone In
his office. Then he called a number
on a telephone.
This is the night" he explained.
"You will find him alone In his office.
will be waiting to hear from you
at" he quoted Mrs. Hardy's tclc-
phone number. Then he drove his car
10 the Hardy home. exchanged few
words with Irene. and sat down to a
hand of cribbnge with her mother.
Poring over his correspondence.
Dave. with his ear cooked for the cry
Of the latest extra. spent the evening
hours in valiant effort at concentra-
tion.
There came a timid knock ut the door,
Come In" he called.
No one entered, but presently he
heard the knock again. He rose and
walked to the door. Outside stood
young woman.
''If you please" she said. "excuse
me. but-you are Mr.. Eden. aren't
your
"Yes. Can help you In my way1"
The woman Uttered q moment, but
resumed soberiy: "You will wonder
mt me coming to you. but I'm from the
country. Did you think thatf"
Il suspected IT," said Dave with a
smile. "You Knocked" He paused.
"Yssf"
Like . country girl." he said. boldly.
She Uttered again. well. I'm lost"
she confessed. II got OF the train
short time ago. NJ aunt was to meet
me. but there are such crowds IL the
street. ! must have missed her. And I
saw your name - he window and
had heard Of you. 30 Just thought
that I'd ask-if you wouldn't mind
showing me 10 this address."
She fumbled In her pocket. and Dave
Invited hes Into the o@ee. There she
produced . tssa pises q papse witA
an address.
why. that's Just Q few blocksi'
said Dave. "Iil walk around With
you" He turned for his hat. bat At
that moment there was smother timid
knock on the door. He opened II A
boy Of eight or ten yeaFs stood outside.
"whnt 10 II. sonr
The lad looked shyly about the Of.
nee. II wns evident he wns impressed
with Its maEninccnce. "Are you Mr..
Eden that sells lotsf'
"Yes. Were Jon thinking Of buyins
few lotsf"
did you sell lots to my fatherr'
well. II knew your fathers name
/ pcrhnps could tell you. Who is your