The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-30

be that you'd not know whom to
watch next. No, I think the
thing to do is to put detectives
on the young mans TRAIL
You're right" / agreed. "In
attend to that at once"
Mr.. Lacy sat thinking for .
moment. Then he said:
LACY'S PLAN.
"You can serve your husband
best by not appearing In this
matter. You probably couldn't
serve your husband better than
by letting me help. That isn't
as swanky as it sounds. But I'm
such a new friend-you have so
many close old ties that I'll hard
ly be thought Of except as q
newspaper man with whom you
have business dealings which
bring you into his company now
and then in the course of your
regular job"
That's true!' I agreed enthu-
siastically. TITS sort Of draw
ing red herring across the trail.
isn't it?"
TN do my best, Mrs. Harri-
tson," he said in voice that was
low. but which had the peculiar
effect of having about a thousand
horsepower back Of it's clear ring.
I'm never going to be able to tell
you how-proud / am Of your
friendship, your faith and-your
condolences. ] needn't. tell you
STAT they're sacred. / needn't
add that I'm going to give them
my best. And now-good night"
Abruptly he seized my hand,
wrung it as if we were fraternity
brothers, dropped it as if we
were foes and then stood aside
with an air which forced me to
lead the way to the door,,
AS we came into the front hall
the bell pealed. It was after ten,
SO I answered at once, thinking
that the single ring might not
disturb Bertha and hoping to
avoid any commotion which would
deprive her of her, slumber. Mr..
Lucy stood back when I swung
the door open. On the threshold
was Betty Winston haggard,
tired looking Betty, with her face
chalk-white and lined and drawn
under her heavy hat of black
crepe.
1 didn't say word; held out
my hands. drew Betty close and
folded her in my arms. She chung
to me. Over and over again
neard her whispering in a choked
voice:
"Anne! Little Anne-I've come
home to you"
Like child too tired to pro-
test Betty let me lead her toward
the stairs. AS we started up I
turned and said, with calmness
that cost me a great struggle:
Anthony Norreys, my dear and
wonderful friend, I want you to
know what a fine, new friend I
have in my advertising consul.
tant' Ralph Lacy. You'll wait anA
start getting acquainted while I'm
gone, won't your"
This queer and informal intro
ductlon was artificial. Strangest
OF all was the fact that Betty, the
gracious and ever-courteous. had
taken it for granted that my alb
sorption in her would wipe out
everything else. But, as if she
were In a daZe, she let me lead
her up to my room. When saw
how chastity she was said-quite
without planning to:
How would you like to climb
into my nice white little bed.
which just got it's full quota of
clean linen this morning?"
m so tired" murmured Betty.
III 1 didn't have to talk-or ex-
plain, l think / could sleep. I'm
so tired, Anne. want to Sleep"
Then, almost as if we were both
in a dream, 1 helped her get ready
for the night, dragging things out
of my own chifforobe and dress
Ing her in them. In whirl of
activity I opened my bed tucked
her in, turned down the light and
then drew up a chair and sat next
to the bed.
After a moment Betty put out
her hand and found mine. She
curled her fingers about it, sighed
like a tired child and in two or
three minutes her even breathing
told me she was asleep. I waited
to make sure. After time I slip-
ped my hand out of hers and tin
toed to the door. At the top of
the stairs I stopped, gasping for
breath, fairly awed by the strange
ness Of it all.
While Carlotta .Sturges Is q
thousand miles away. trying to
find the strength to come back
and face Betty and Tony. have
taken Betty Winston into Car
lotta's home. What will come of
it all?
To Re Continued Tomorrow.