The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1920-07-15

who had been lurking IN the bushes
hurried on to say, ''but Il can be
Of any service"
-No. no. abe sobbed. apparently
overwhelmed by whatever It was that
was besetting her. Its nothing
nothing anyone can help"
'sTell me about the man you were
to meet here"
"Who are youf' she demanded. her
suspicion suddenly rising at my ques-
tion. "You're not a detectiver
'Far from It." answered amused
Iy. I'm just plain spalding Nielsen.
on my way to dino with my great
uncle Rufus CASTOR"
"Ohr she said, relieved, atheir
apartment is on the same floor as
ours"
"Tell me about the man you were
to meet" insisted. II may have seen
him."
"Did your What was he likeF" she
demanded eagerly.
''Don't you know himT countered.
"No, l never saw him. / don't even
know who he Is. / only know that
there was to be man waiting here
on this bench this evening. We were
both to wear red carnations. I was
to come here alone. to see him and
to get the"
She stopped abruptly and tearing
of the flower she was wearing,
trampled II viciously under her foot.
"Not so loud" / warned her, fear
full lest they might still be lurking
about and overhear us. "There were
two OF them"
"Two," she whispored, turning pale-
'Yes, one waiting here on this bench,
and the other, a yillalnous scar-faced
fellow, hiding In the bushes yonder."
II dare not go on with It," she
sobbed, II dare not dare notl Oh.
what shall l dof'
"The thing to do now," replied, ''is
for you to let me accompany you back
to your home. They will make no
further attempt to meet you this eve
ming, since my presence has spoiled
their plans. Come, let me escort you.
Miss =.
As / hesitated over the name she
answered simply:
Bradford-Barbara Bradford"
She pondered for moment over my
suggestion and then turned to walk
with me toward the apartment house.
"What were the men fIker she
asked.
described them as best could
though really the impression that the
youth on the bench had left was vague.
His voice, an insolent, hoarse. uncul-
tivated one, was almost all could re-
call about him.
II wonder who they weref 1 won
der how they knew2"
"Knew whatT
Her lips frightened into a straight
line.
81 can't tell you. / daren't 1t Isn't
my secret"
BY this time we had reached her
home and the bowing doorman was
swinging back the great iron door
for US. It had been my intention. to
announce my arrival, but recalling
that Miss Bradford had said that the
CASTOR apartment was on the same
floor as hers, stepped with her into
the elevator. When It had descended.
leaving us together In the corridor.
she turned to me and offered her hand,
"Thank you so much, Mr.. Nelson"
81 wish you'd let me help you,"
cried.
She shook her head.
swell, promise me one thing" In
sisted.
"What is it7'
"That you never again will 60 alone
to the park to meet those men,"
A tremor shook her body, and once
more a look Of terror crept into bel
eyes.
~ can't promise that. l must meet
them. ] mustI ] musti"
/ reached out and took her hand.
promise me, then, that before yot
. 20 again you win let me know"
"You must not try to stop my go
. Ing" she cried desperately and free
ing her hand turned quickly and I'M
}, locking her door left me standing
, there alone. staring after her.
Il Perplexed beyond measure ss b
what I ought to do, after moment
pressed the bell and was admitted b
: the CASTOR apartment and to the pres
. ence Of my aged relatives