The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-30

VO1ce-remempe l 1ONeu yOu lhSA and I heard Waring talking to you. I could make out no word-I didn't try-but now I wish had-for 1t might help you"
 T wish you had. Gordon" she re- turned, solemnly, it would have helped me"
 But you can tell me, dear. tell me all the conversation. Surely you trust me now"
 T trust you-but-oh, as you say, there's no time. It's a long story-a dreadful story-I don't want to tell you"
 Then you shan't. I've promised you that, you know. Not until you want to tell me, will I ask for word of it."
 Now, here's aRothsr tzfng," and Anita blushed deeply, If we go away -as you say-what about-about money?"
 Lockwood stared at her. q have money" he said; why do you ask that?"
 "But-but the awful detective peo- pie-said you-you were terribly in debt"
 Brave little girl to say that. l know you hated to. We'll my dar-
  precious detectives dug up in my desk are old bills that were owed by my father-his name was the same as mine"
 "The same as yours! How queerw
 "Oh, not unique instance. Any way, those bills l am paying off as can. I'm not legally responsible for them, but I want to clear my dads name, and all that. Now, all that can wait-whlle I take unto me a wife. and arrange for her comfort and con- venfence. But Is there-now remep- Der, I'm not prying-is there any one whose permission you must ask to marry me?"
 "No, I'm 21-that's of age in any state"
 Why, you aged persOpl I deemed you about 18."
 DO you mindT
 NO, you goosie! But--your mother, now?"
 "oh-my mother. She doesn't care what I do."
 And your father? Forgive me, but I have to ask
 lily father is dead"
 "Then come along. Let's begin to get ready to go."
 Wait a minute-Gordon- get married-must must I tell my real name?"
 His eyes clouded a trifle.
 "Yes, dear heart" he said very gently, "yes, you must"
 Then I can't get married, Gordon"
 Miss Mystery sat down and folded her little hands in her lap, her whole attitude that of utter despair.
 But, Sweetheart" urged Gordon Lockwood, If we elope no one need know your real name except the minister and witnesses"
 And you?" said Miss Mystery.
 ''Yes-and I-"
 "Oh, L can't marry you, anyway. can't marry anybody. I can't tell away. and let them arrest me and I hope they'll convict me-and-'
 Flush, my precious girl. hush" Lockwood took her in his arms. and let her stifle her sobs on his breast. He was bewildered. What was the truth about this strange child? For In her abandonment of grief Anita seemed very child, a tortured, ire sponsible soul, whose only haven was in the arms now around her.
 You will go with me, anyway, Anita" he said, with an air of au- thority. "I must take care of you. We will go, as I planned The min ister I told you of is a great and good man, he will advise you"
 OAis ilOt hOli " 1hb bO No4h lO q minister"
 "Yes. you do. And his wife is a dear, good woman. They will take you into their hearts and home and then we can all decide what to do. At any rate, you must get away from here. Come. now. pack your bag-and would you mind, Anita, if and the ruby pin"
 But he gave them to mel I tell you. Gordon, John Waring gave me those of his own free will"
 Because of his affection for your"
 'Yes; for no other reason I will keep the pin, anyway-I will"
 Anita, have you any idea how me? We'll, take what you like. Will you get ready now. and I will let you know as soon as I can, how and when we can start"
 A loud rap was followed by an i'm mediate opening of the door, and Mrs. Adams came Into the room.
 She stared at Lockwood but made no comment on his presence there.
 Miss Austin," she began. T do not wish you to stay in my house any longer l have kept you until now, because my husband was so sorry for you, and refused to turn you out. Nor am I turning you out, butt wish you would leave us alone, MT. Lockwood"
 Gordon started to speak, but Anita interrupted him.
 "Go, please" she said, quietly, and Lockwood obeyed.
 T cannot blame you, Mrs. Adams" Miss Mystery said; q daresay you have to consider your other boarders, and I thank you for your kindness and forbearance you have shown me so far.''
 The tears were in the big dark eyes, and even as they moved Mrs. Adams to sympathy, she also won dered if they were real. "A girl who would redden her lips would be capable of any deceit and duplicity," Esther Adams reasoned.
 But she went on, calmly
 q come now, Miss Austin, to tell you that MT. Trask is down stairs and wants to see you. He wants you to go to his house to stay. The PewtQns are there, of course, and he offers you the shelter of his roof and protection until this dreadful mdtter is settled up' amazement.
 "Mr Trask" Anita looked her amaze ment.
 Yes; now don't be silly. You very well know he is mad about you, and he hopes to get you freed and then marry you"
 "oh. he doesp' It was the old. scornful Miss Mystery who spoke. Well, will you please tell him from me"
 Now. don't you be too hoity-toity, miss! You're mighty lucky to have a home offered you"
 "Yes, that's quite true. Well, Mrs. Adams. will you go down, then, and say I'll be down in a moment or two. Give me time to freshen up my ap- pearance a bit"
 Yes, with paints and powders and ccsmet,cs" Esther Adams grumbled to herself, as she went down the stairs.
 As matter of fact she quite mis- judged the girl. Very rarely did