Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-14
The Married Life of
Helen and Warren

A silky aishi. The breese-siifTed
darkness seemed q cooling palliative
after the sun-seofehing heat oi the
day,
Hsli.past 9 by the window clock
In the corner drug store. yet the
quiet street suggested . later hour.
Again Helen glaneed over her
shoulder. neryously conscious OF the
heavy steps that tor several blocks
had been keeping pace with hers.
A rough-looking man. his hat
pulled low over his eyes. Was just .
lew yards behind. Her heart beat
riolously as he gained upon her.
Warren's admonllion TO take taxi
she had economically ignofed-and
the stree. ears were so crowded.
Surely sic was safe on this we'll
lighted ,hofoughiare.
Yet the menaeing steps were now
ominously near. With an effort she
kept TO her brisk walk-to run would
be an absurd confession oi her fear.
"Good evening! Out for walk.
girlie, Not SO ias,l I'm good CON-
pany." A heavy hand gripped her
arm.
Teuor.strieken. she tried 10 jerk
away. bu, his steel grasp only tight
cned.
lie, me go!' in painting fright,
"l'll call a policeman
mot II you know what's good Tor
you! You keep mum. or I'll
His hold suddenly relaxed as some
one ran up behind them.
The next second portly man
elu,ched him savageiy by the collar.
snow. beat itr' as he flung him
against the lamp post. III ], WASH!
FOR this lady and the noiorieiy-Id
have you jugged."
Mutteringly. the rufiian skunk
away as his assailan, turned to
Helen.
"Hope he didn't frighten You.
There's a lot OF these buns around.
Tn glad | happened along
"Oh, IL don't know how 20
thank you." faltcred Helen. Il
should've taken a taxi--bu, j, was
only a few blocks"
"Yes. you're not safe anywhere
these days" guiding her through the
inquisitive group that had quickly
gathered. THE papers are full OF
holdup.. You'd better let me take
you home"
"Oh. thank you." gratefully. ITS
not far. Perhaps | can get a taxi
at the next corncr-l don't want to
trouble yau."
"I'll be glad to. I'm jus, out for a
stroll. Let's get away from this
crowd" turning into deserted side
street. rs this much out OF your
way?"
mo. not at all, but this block is
always so dark. ! was afraid to
come along here alone"
II was a residential street with most
OF the houses closed for the sum-
mer. Helen. glad TO escape the Gu
rious crowd. welcomed the quiet de-
sertion.
"Wonder what that fellow was
after. Been following you far?"
solicitously. did you show any
money or jewelry?"
=. "Why, no, just came from a
friend who's i'll. l promised Mr.
Curtis, my husband, I'd take taxi
back"
That's what you ought've done
No well-dressed woman is safe on
the streets alone after dark-partic-
ularly il she wears jewelry. They're
keen on spotting it. He must've seen
something worth holding you up for
Isn't that a diamond lavallicre you
have there?
"He was behind mellow could
he see that7 He may have noticed
my rings" turning her diamond
rings palmward. "Its too warm to
wear gloves. But you ouldn't think
on . well-lighted street with people
passing"
"Oh. they're bold these days
Never been such crime wave.
see a lot Of it. I'm a private detec-
tive for one Of the big banks-that's
why I've permit to carry a gun
II comes in mighty handy some
times" drawing a cleaning revolver
from his hip pocket.
The next moment, under cover oi
the newspaper he carried, the steel
muzzle was pressed against Helen's
side.
''I'll take those rings and that
lavalliere," in a low. strangely al
tered voice. "Your first scream'll bs
your last-so keep your trap shutl'
In speeehless, congealed terror