The Lamar register., 1920-07-14
eoopynsh. By Randall rss.,sA,

helped him keep his nerve, but as soon
as he was left alone, he went entirely
to pieces. He was no criminal, merely
a victim of circumstances. At last
something happened to frtghten him
into flight"
The four men Strengthened up as her
voice ceased speaking Then Roberts
laughed MS though ashamed Of thu
breathless Interest he had exhibited
Il guess she's got that doped out
about right, Colgate" he said. almost
regretfully. "And it's clear enough that
we are on the wrong trail. Anyhow
this man here isn't Tom Burke. al
though he would deceive the very dew
II. What is 1t, landlord? Am | ready
to eat2 Just lead the way. and I'll
show you" He glanced about at the
others. ANY of you missed your sup
peri If so, we'd be glad to have your
company"
''rl accept the Invitation" returned
Cavendish. 81 was asleep upstairs.
and failed to hear the bell. Perhaps
you gentlemen can tell me what steps
I'd better take in case like mine"
The three passed out together. fol-
lowing the guidance of Timmons. and
as the sound of their voices subsidized
Into confused murmur. Westcott
glanced into the face beside him.
you must be very tired. dear"
81 am tired, jim" she said. but
I mustn't allow 1t. l have big job
on hand. Farris Will want three thou
sand words of this and he'll want IL
tonight. so that he can scoop the town.
SCOOP the town. Westcott re-
peated.
''Yes, that means my paper gets a
story that no other paper gets. And
this Cavendish case is going TO be my
scoop. VIII you walk with me down
to the stationT
Big Jim westcott nodded silently
and took her arm In his and together
they went out into the night.
Each stone. shrub. each dark frown-
ing cliff reminded them Of their meet
ing. and silently. with their hearts
full. they walked along until u dilapI-
dated box ear hove In view. with one
oil-lump still burning. twinkling evil
dence that Carson had not retired for
the night: and as they came abreast
the door they found him doing.
Wake up. Carson" cried Jim. tap
ping him on the shoulder. wake up
and get ready to do big job on the
keys. And keep your ears open, too.
old timer. for it's interesting. every
word of it-Miss Donovan is going to
tell story"
Carson rubbed his eyes. sat up. gave
ample greeting. got up. lit another
lamp. and tested his wire
East wire free as air, Jim," he said.
You can begin that there story when-
ever you want"
And 50. weary as she was, and with
nerves stlll high-pitched. Stella Dono-
van began, slowly ut first. until she
got the swing of her lead" and then
more rapidly; one after another the
yellow sheets on which she wrote were
fed past Westcott's critical eyes and
into the hands Of Carson, who oper.
ated his bug" like madman.
An hour went past. an hour and a
quarter-Stella Donovan was still writ
Ing. An hour and a half. Westcott
saw her face tensing under the strain,
saw II grow wan and white. and, reach
ing down he grlpped the fingers that
clenched the pencil.
mo more, Stella" he said firmly.
you've sent four thousand"
She looked at him tenderly.
PLEASE jim" she begged. 'Just let me
add one more paragraph. It's the mos
fmpprtnuf onE Of all "
The miner released her hand ant
the girl wrote hurriedly, this tim,
passing sheets direct to Carson. He
roically the station agent stuck to hi,
task. and as he tossed the first of thu
sheets aside, an eddying wisp of win,
caught 1t. danced II momeH on th'
tabletop, then slid # over under th'
very palm of big jim Westcott's righ
hand. Slowly he picked 1t up and reat
II.
"Sol" he said, with something
strangely like cry in his deep voice
$50 you've resigned from the Star. ant
you're going to stay In Haskellf'
The girl looked at him, her lip
trembling.
~ never want TO be lady reporter
again." she whispered. "Never!"
They were In the open doorway now
and through the lush. warm gloom ,
b,iatad Iioht tyvInkled down I'm Has