Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-26
LADYFTNGERS
By JACKSON GREGORY
Copyright. 1871, bp Charles serinnsr.. Con.

hu instead ne saw Rachel Stptheril
as her hand fell away from the electric
d., "iop'' io,, he mutercd. "You. Had.
Even then he realized that in bcr
old eyes there was n look which no
had never seen before. There was n
yenrning that was close TO tears. there
Nus pain as of a soul in anguish. lie
did not understand.
before her. """'' '"''''"s
after all !" '''' I" '"''i'
lie bad never heard her voice like
THIS. 1t was broken and sad. a hone
Iess voice OF very old woman who
had taken her one chance and lost.
YES, he sa Id with sudden bitter
n ness. | am just n thief after all.
noDsrt ,Ashe at your service, Mrs.
Stetherii. Ladyfingcrs, II you wish.
deep bows. " O"' u 1''
Yes" she said YEARLY. T know
But, / always thought -. Nv God;
l always hoped that you were n gen.
tleeman in spite of Il! I was a fool, n
miserable fool. | think that Won have
broken my heart, Robert Ashe.''
;, lie stood looking at her, wonderingly,
IL lie sroped blindly for what might lie
It looks" he said quietly, "as
though ia played the losing game And
m half glad Of 1t. II II you'll
"al, them in, you can get rid Of me
and get to bed
took my chance" she was saving
IN the same lifeless monotone. ..It was
me only way to know if you we're M.
,y .epiy contemplate. I can stand a bad
man, but not hypocrite. -
ashe flushed and bit his lin.
began quietly.
But she icrkcd up her head again and
as she cried shrilly:
smut up! Talk to me about being
good to you and then. the first time
Mrs. stetheril." he he exclaimed
sharply. ~ did not rob you
saw you !"
II did not !"
then" '' u my ''''
Nothing"
"'Liar!" she flung at him. "Liar!,
ar. AS you will,' he answered coolly.
This man is my prisoner. Stand
%here you are, my gay Ladyfingers! SO
I've got you at last, have I?''
Ashe turned swiftly.
So he said briefly, cts YOU, Is
it, Ambrose?"
Lieutenant Ambrose stepped into the
room and behind him came Justin Had.
don looking. pale and anxious eyed.
Rachel Stcthcril stared at them both
with hard, unwinking eyes.
Who's your friend Haddoni" she
demanded in an ugly voice. "And what
In Gods name are you up to nowI"
May | introduce him?" asked Ashe
imperturbably. Mrs. Stctheril, Lieu q.
tenant Richard Ambrose. distinguished
in the San Francisco police and crook
circles. Haddon, you are quite the cur
! thought you. Ambrose, at your serv-
Ambrose, his eyes cleaning came O
step forward. his right hand in his coat
pocket. watchful and suspicious.
This man." he explained to Rachel
Stetheril, lis crook. He is wanted in
San Francisco for Il good many things.
Eyer hear Of Ladyfngers? Among other
things he stole your diamond for you.
Rachel Stetheril went to her chair
and sat down. She looked not at Had =
don nor Ambrose, but at Ashe. And he
smiling met her look steadily. But for
all of his composure his heart was
sick, within him. To be trapped this way.
to be dragged away to jail, with Enid
under the same roof =
Rachel Stetheril was very silent. her
wrinkled old face a mask through which
her bright, black eyes burned ominously
Her lips were working, but for q little
no words came.
''If you hadn't lied to me-" she said
after a very long SILENCE. IF you hadn I
played the hypocrite ."
81 didn't lie to you," maintained
Ashe stoutly. ITO you I have never
played the hypocritc. You have been
like mother to me and l have played
square with you"
Hes got a glib tongue" grunted
to the judge. You'll come along with
me and not make any trouble, Ashe."
Ashe stared at him insolcntly.
what is the charge" he demande
Ambrose laughed tolerantly.
standing by all your rights. eh?''
he sneercd "Well. then. for the theft
Of Mrs. Stetherils diamond"
'That all?" with undisturbed in
science
"And for burglary. You see. my dear
young crook, both Mr.. Haddon and
myself saw you crack the safe there. +"
Ashc laughed at him.
you've got great eyes for seeing in
the dark!' he grinned.
"Mrs. Stetheril," said Ambrose.
swinging about upon her, will you
open your safe?'
"No," She was upon her feet again.
her outstrctched forcfinger close under
Ambrosc's nose. "No. I won't! And
you let that boy go! / don't care the
snap of my fingers what he's done! I
refuse to prosecute! Hear me? You
let him go"'.
Ambrose's stare of astonishment was
no more marked than Ashes Haddon
began to pluck nervously at his under
lip.
open the safe!" cried Ashc. open
it"
bluff, curse you" snarled Ambrose.
"Much good it'll do you!"
Stetheril And you won't arrest that
boy! Let him go, I tell you! Let him
60 or I'll have Carter call my servants
and chuck you out of the house. Yes,
and that Internal sneak Haddon with
you! Do you hear me?"
~ hear you," said Ambrose stolidly.
But even you can't do n thing like
that. I've got my hands on Robert
Ashe and ."
"You fool" she screamed at him.
"Who is Robert Ashe? Where is
Robert Ashc? That? That is Robert
Stetheril Ellis. My great grandson, II
you please. And now that I've got him
with Gods help or the DEVILS, I'm