The Washington times., 1923-08-14
By Ann Lisle,
Whose Serials OF Married Life
Have Won Big Popular
Success.

beneath the Ice. How
can you jump at conclusions
like this? You say Jim was
talking to Pat OF someone who
has stolen something"
"Someone for whom you insist
on looking" interrupted Rosa in
the crisp English with which she
comes out now and then so aston
ishingly. Someone who has barn-
boozled Ralph, who is putty in
vour hands. Now what, White
Lilac, do you think to bamboozle
maybe also meme, Rosa Cor
dova? Do you think that?"
PLANS BLACKMAIL.
NV heart skipped a beat, So 1t
was neither more nor less than
blackmail that Rosa had come to
extort! What I could do for her
was not in any way clear to me
but evidently there was some
thing she wanted.
"I am ready to talk on any
subject that interests my guest"
I said guardedly in answer to her
revealing question.
Now, that is nice" Rosa smiled
eouably, and sat down again.
while to me it would be rotten
IL anything change the credit OF
the business where I have invest
so much OF the money OF my
Ramon, If you can tell me 1t Is
not from US Neal have stolen, I
feel already better"
Look here, Rosa" I said
grimly. There's an old verse
which says that a lie which is
half the truth is always the
blackest of lies. What you think
about Neal is much worse than
the truth-so I'll tell you the
truth. But first you'll haves to
promise that whether you have
the vision and observation-disclosures to
believe me or not-you'n never let
a word of this pass your lips"
why should promise any
thing?" sneered Rosa. Il know
already-what I know"
You know just about enough
to land you in an action for libel
or a blackmail suit II you voice
YOUR suspicious" 1 said brutally,
seeking to bully where I had no
other method of impressing.
Rosa's eyes widened. could
see that she had no information
about the law in these matters
and I played determinedly on her
fears.
You don't care to pay a big
fine or serve a term in prison. do
you?" | asked curtly. IF you
say a word about the things you
suspect-and that word turns out
to be wrong-youll find yourself
in terrible trouble. And you've
nothing to gain by slandering any
Of us. We cover over any little
peccadillos you may care TO IN
dulge in. But if you'd be happier
to share our secret and to keep
absolutely silent about it-1Ive
named my terms"
Tell me-" gasped Rosa. deeply
impressed.
TELLS HER THE TRUTH.
Slowly then, and CLOSING over
the family's failure to trust Neal,
told Rosa of his disappearance
with the money intrusted to him
for the Tompkins option.
In the midst of my revelation
the telephone rang.
Here's Mr.. Rockhill now. Mrs.
Harrison" said the voice Of his
secretary. II knew you'd want to
speak to him as soon as he
came in"
81 suppose you called up for
news of Park?" he said. We'll,
he's here plugging away for dear
life. He did some good work
down in the Argentine, and,
though he looks a little older,
can't say it's unbecoming to
him, Want to speak to him?"
Rejoicing because 1 hadn't
committed myself to anything
which would have betrayed Park
to his partner, said I'd like a
chance to invite Park to dinner
the first night he could come.
You aren't going to leave me
out, are your" asked young Rock
hill.
You're both invited, and Parks
father also IL he can come"
I'm let the partner speak for
himself" replied Mr.. Rockhill.
Til manage to make 1t any night
that suits YOU"
But after / turned from making
my arrangements with Park for
the following evening found thar
was to have another guest