The Washington times., 1923-09-10
By Ann LisIe,
Whose Serials of Married Life
Have Won a Big Popular
Success.

Success.
Copyright, 1923, King Features
Syndicate, Inc.)
<<r WON'T" said Max Hoad-
ley, briskly. But the
offer stands. If ever you
need money my Susanna and
stand ready to finance your
search for the Pole. Don't for
get, Anne. The offer stands.
Now let's see If that ring at
the door bell meant our Ralph"
AS we went out to the hall,
where Aunt May was already
welcoming the other guest, I re-
membered with a bitter ache in
my heart that when I had re-
jected Jim's offer of help he had
curtly told me that I'd chosen
to 60 on without him, and that
he wouldn't trouble me with
further suggestions. Jim had
washed his hands of me and my
probable financial needs when :
didn't jump at his suggestion 10
help. But Max Hoadley had ae-
cepted dismissal with a chival-
rous announcement that his offer
still stood.
But didn't have time to brood
over anything, for the friendli-
ness Of Ralphs greeting and the
homeliness of the next two hours
left no room sor morbid thoughts.
Shortly after dinner Aunt May
and Uncle Max started off to
keep their appointment with How
ard Rockhill, and Ralph and
were left to entertain each other.
BLESS their dear hearts," Ralph
smiled when the car to which
we'd been waving farewell disap-
peared around an end in the
driveway. "They knew we had
business to discuss and I'll wager
they guessed we'd be grateful for
this chance. Think it would be
shady enough in that peaceful
garden, Anne?"
''It would be just right for a
friendly conference" I answered
with conviction.
So we strolled down the box
bordered paths to the brooding
quiet and fragrance of the old
fashioned garden whose dial
marks only the sunny hours.
Troubles would be ashamed
to knock for admittance. wouldn't
they?" asked Ralph smiling down
at me as l found a comfortable
seat on the curved Italian bench
by the lily pool. so. presto,
change, my friend Anne is hand
in hand with her courage and
faith in life today-isn't she?"
1 smiled for reply. The sun
light was turning Ralph's sahdy
hair to a warm coppery tint like
that of Meals curls And the
boyish tilt of Ralph's head sug-
gested Neal. Even the urchin-
like grin which just parted
Ralph's lips had the flavor Of
Meals smile. The resemblance
Of this wonderful friend to my
brother had never been a more
striking and pulsingly alive
thing. But in a moment Ralph's
face turned serious and he sat
down next to me and began speak
ing eagerly.
PLENTY TO DO.
Ready to go ahead planning
our next move in the biggest
game I've ever played, Anne?"
he asked
"What more is there to do?"
I asked.
"Heapsr answered Ralph with
conviction. 'Hannaberry's on a
new trial. Also one of the men
on our staff has made a drawing
from a collection of Meals photo
graphs and my description pnls
my declaration that I'm a dead
ringer for the boy. I'm going
to take a trip for the paper next
week-all around the country 20
visit affiliated papers. And in
every town I'm going to see the
chief of police and put a photo
graph Of Neal in his hands. Then
We'll add little intensive ad-
vertising and start out a couple
of detectives to cover the towns
I don't visit. Wen start a whirl-
wind and look for what the dust
in it's wake kicks up. Wen find
Neal. We've got to-"
You make me believe again."
I answered slowly.
"Of course / do. That's what
my friendships for"
Il was so discouraged" I con-