Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-22
'AONE-WAN
.WOMAN
aLAzci nEtIn RNT[UELOP
CHAPTER XIV
The Result of a Lie
81 HAZEZ UETO Of7ICHALU
Is2/ e. PUBLIC LEDGER co..

~ HARLEY stood as if turned to
stone, the words ecoing over
~ and over in his brain.
."HaVe you StenOgra pher
named Miriam in this office?
1t seemed years before he an
few moments, and If Larry noticed
any hesitation he gave no hint of
it Charley's first instinct was to
protect Miriam, he knew he must
do this at any cost and he answered
the question with light laugh.
"Why, no. don't believe we have.
I know ali of the girls here, we
don't employ many. If you don't
mind my asking. what's the idea?
He took out a handsomely en-
graved cigarette case from his peck
ct, deliberately selected cigarette
with admirably steady Fingers. light
ed it carefully and offered the case
to Larry.
"Thanks, no. Why, it's nothing
much, we just thought she might be
able to give us some valuable in
formation, that's all
Anything Important"
ut might be and then again 1t
| mightn't."
Larry was plainly hedged He had
TO intention of giving Charley the
| information he wanted, ior he was
by no means sure that Charley was
Speaking the truth There Lad been
a perceptible pause between the ques-
ton asked and Charley's answer and
his lighting of the cigarette was al
most a challenge. Larry was not a
newspaperman for nothing. He was
used to observing things, and he
| However. he intended to find out
| before he left that office whether
or not Charley was speaking the
truth and when Charley elaborately
escorted him to the elevator, Larry
went down to the first floor and re-
turned Immediately.
The minute Charley was rid Of
his visitor, he seized his nat ana was
| off. In his haste to leave he did not
| think of the possibility of Larry S
return and the elevators carrying the
two men happened to pass each
other.
The girl at the desk outside recog-
nized Larry and he threw her look
| from his Irish eyes.
/ Left an important paper behind"
he grinned and, suspecting nothing
she smiled alphabetically and he
went in unannounced.
Mr.. Graves was not in mis- office
and Harry paused at the door. Lucy
Pratt was sitting at ner typewriter
but she looked up inquiringly as
Larry advanced into the room
"Did you want to see Mr. Graves"
Larry noticed that the girl looked
J, pale. She had dark circles under
her eyes and there was look about
her face that told of recent tears.
mo" he said quickly, you'll dc
just as we'll. I'm looking or a CIR
named Miriam and l wondered II 10y
any chance she worked here in TINS
office. l think this is the place.
The look that swept suddenly into
Lucy's dark eyes was Illuminating
There was sudden hatred and a QUICK
dt sire to give any information de-
sired about such a girl.
Yes" she said eagerly. I'VE have
a girl here named Miriam Taylor
She's not here today. What do yor
want of herr"
| Lucy's face. which had been quiet
and immobile when Larry had en-
tered the room, was now flushed WITH
excitement and interest. Her eyes
were bright and they glitterec with
an intensity of feeling that pres
: aged something interesting. n
Wardly she was eXulting. Her on<
idea now Swas to get Harriet out OF
the office. Woman-like she felt thai
if the temptation were once removed
, Charley would come back to her, Ht
had loved her once and he would love
her again, she was sure of that!