Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-16
Copyright BY Pathc Exchange, Inc,
CHAPTER Al
HER Webbing NIGHT

Realization that she had lost and
must forfeit everything was ter,
rife blow to Ruth Ranger. H@nr,
Mallinson was cainEeSs personihed.
Ruth he said, marry NE todar
and let me relieve you Of Year
worries"
II will marry you nc week
from today the Eir,. repiied, 4
must go immed, ..ecly to the police
statioh anc see Eugene Craig"
:" -~rrrison believed that Ruth was
nh Ia love with Craig. 4 be-
Neve that Craig won your con-
hdence," he sneered, 10 injure you
and your business"
Ruth turned to Weatherby. Ar
range to have the tide to Haunted
Valley served and the deed made
out TO Mr.. Mallinson," size said.
The girl then started for the eoice
station.
Craig, being ignorant Of the real
state of affairs, was delighted to see
Ruth "Mr. Crawford and | started,
from the dam with the check, but
were held up on the road" he said,
The police didn't understands
here | am. If you hurry to Mallin7
son with the check"
IT is too late. must keep my
agreement and forfeit Haunted
Valley to Mr.. Mallinson-
And marry him ?" Ruth nodded
sorrowfuily.
'But Mailinson is a crook" Craig
calculated. 81 am sure that ii was
his men who held me up"
81 am beginning to believe that
you are the crook and not Mr. NAL
inson," Ruth returned. "How did
7ou come to be in Haunted Valley
he day We first met p
Craig was astonished. can't
ell you now" he replied, evasively,
but soon | will be free to explain"
"Mallinson was right" the girl
persisted. You won my confidence
10 save your own ends never
want to see you again."
With a sorrowful heart, Ruth
Ranger turned and left, A few
moments later, Eugene Craig was
Jet free.
AS Ruth was about to step in her
car, she saw Mr.. Crawford ap-
preaching. He fastened to the girls
side and told her everything con-
corning the unfortunate event which
delayed the payment of the check.
you are very fortunate in hav-
ing a friend as loyal as Mr.. Craig"
he finished. "He fought valiantly
to save the check from those ruff
fans"
Ruth was again dismayed. Was it
possible that she had misjudged
Craig. In vain she had fought
against the thought that she loved
him, but even as Crawford had men
toned the young mans name her
heart seemed to leap to her throat
In the meantime, Craig had hast
sned to his office That he felt
downhearted over the attitude of
Ruth was putting it mildly. And
yet, his hands we're tied. He could
not speak out everything that he
would like to. As he entered his
3fflce, a strange man waiting for
6im made him start back in sur
prise. The visitor greeted Craig and
followed the young man into his
private sanctum.
"Mr Craig" he began, several
months ago we sent you here to do
certain work in Haunted Valley. !
understand that a very attractive
young lady has caused you to neg
lect your work"
"You are wrong" Craig protested.
Il felt that if first won Miss Ran
gers confidence, it would be a great
help in the Haunted Valley case"
"Craig, we must have results in
Haunted Valley! Drop everything
and get busy!"
Meanwhile, the police report on
the million dollar check had caused
no small stir in Newspape. Row.
And this had brought Dick Foster
Of the Morning Globe TO interview
Craig and worm out what he hoped
would be a sensational story. AT
first Craig was loath TO tell any
thing to his visitor but the young
mans. persistence was amazing.
REPORTERS are not just trouble.
makers" Foster persisted. "Oi
course / want a story, but in return
NAV be able to help you"
"Fair enough" Craig smiled
Then I'll Tell you the entire yarn
but / must Insist that you will no
print a lire Of il until the stor!
feally ends And then Craig begaI
his anazing disclosure, thai no
even Ruth Ranger could have i'm