The evening world., 1920-09-03

Neither do l, Joe, But
I'm sure she went. 1t must
be joke"
Guess it must" he agreed. well.
I'll ring her up and make sure, and
II they aren't there | can get an ex-
press home at about half past two.
II you don't hear from me, expect
me for supper"
His call to his sisters house,
which was on the outskirts Of the
town, brought no response. Puzzled,
he left the booth and walked to the
street. His car was gone.
Where did that chauffeur GOT" he
asked the clerk, who was standing in
the doorway.
u thought it was funny" replied
the clerk. He was listening to you
telephoning, and all Of a sudden he
rushed of and drove away like he
was going to a fire.
Hum" pondered O'Conno r.
Where Is the police station2" he
asked suddenly.
Bout quarter mile up the street.
Any troubleT' inquired the clerk
curiously.
Il don't know. but I'm going TO find
out" replied OConnor, as he started
up the street.
At the station house he found the
chief sitting at the desk, pipe in
mouth. The, local dignitary was i'm
pressed by visit from a New York
official. and Jumped UP when he
heard of the affair.
might a been tryin' to rob YOU" he
suggested.
II hardly think So" averred O'Con-
ner. with laugh. still, l don't
think 1t could have been a joke, or
the chauffeur wouldn't have acted so
queerly. I'm going to leave 1t en-
tirely In your hands, and know you
can find out IL any one can"
"YoH said something" agreed the
battered chief.
9TH leave my address and you can
call me on tho phone II anything
comes OF it I'm going back to New
York now"
He gave good description of the
man and the automobile, wrote his
address and telephone number on his
card, and started down the hill to-
ward the station. He smiled as he
heard the chief ring a bell insistently
and shout orders in an excited voice
This may not be New York." he
told himself, but there seems to be
plenty OF action. II it were a prac-
teal joke, the jokers may find the
thing else, well-we'll see," he con-
cluded.
At five O'Clock, Bill Whiting rushed
into the Rivington Street settlement
house and found Miss Bryant In the
office, preparing TO leave.
Where's Betty?" he demanded
abruptly.
IT don't know" exclaimed Miss
Bryant. why are you so eXcited2"
did you see this?"
He thrust the newspaper into her
hands and pointed to the headlines
lousy. why, he wouldn't-
"Of course he wouldn't" Whiting
Interrupted. But the thing is-BettS
sent II over the wire. j verified Il
at her office and they swore up anC
down that she was responsible anC
that there WIS no mistake. She
wouldn't send in such n story any.
way, would she7'
no, she wouldn't" answered Mis-
Bryant with decision. ''She had som,
kind of tiff with him, but No
know Betty TOO well. Shed resigl
before she'd hurt joe"
| "Well where Is she?-thAt's what
want to know" demanded Whiting.
I've been wondering myself" re
piled Miss Bryant. ''She was to hav
been here at four, aHd"-she locke,
at her wrist watch-"here it's ate
Ave"
1T won't help to wonder" sal,
whiting. Lets go down to the L
AS He was simply frantic when h
called me at my office. He said h
hated to believe it, Now, here's tn
situation: Mrs. O'Connor told me Jo
was in Ossinning as the result OF
practical Joke. But, whatever tina
means, l don't know, and didn't stol
to find out. He told me he was go
ing this informing He's on the wa
back now, and will come to his offic
the minute he arrives. I've seArche-
high and low for Betty, and sen
no one has seen her. SO wen m,
down and see what's happened"
"You see" he explained, as thei
taxicab went down Lafayette STREE
"it looked bad for Joe. II he can
explain he'll be ruined. And Betty
even IL she did send in the story
couldn't have made It up"
How about Judge McDonough?
suggested Miss Bryant.
'"Ie went on leave this Afternoon
The d. A. said he'd call him up an
he'll probably have matters adjuste
by the time we get there"
AS their cab drew up at the Frank
lin Street entrance Of the Crimina
Courts Building, Howard, the Distriy
Attorney. was just leaving his limou
Hello. whiting o'cOnnOr said 20