The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21

and then bit her lip as she added, T told you he didn't give it to me-"
 There, there, don't say any more, you only contradict yourself. l had no business to ask that. Now, MT. Cray, from now on, l take Miss Aus tin under my personal care. I'll be responsible for her appearance when wife, Mrs Adams will back me up. She, too, will shelter and care for Miss Austin"
 Unless she is proved guilty" Els ther Adams broke in. Tn that case"
 Wait until she is," Old Salt said, in his calm way. T don't guarantee her innocence-I only want to pre- vent injustice to her. Have you funds to engage a lawyer, Miss AustinT
 Again that frightened look made the girl seem anything but innocent.
 Would I have to tell lawyer ev- erything?" she asked.
 Yes, yes--to be sure" Trask broke in. But what of that2 I'll bet you've nothing to tell him discriminating to yourself You exaggerate your con- nection with this matter. I'll bet you were there that night on some per fectly innocent errand-at least so far as Dr. Warings death is concerned" Y "Oh,, I was!' Anita said, and then as quickly: But l wasn't there at night-it was in the afternoon"
 Lockwood groaned in spirit. Every thing this girl said made her more of a prevaricator. even though she might be innocent of crime. . Surely she was mixed up in the matter, and must know who gave the fatal stab-if she didn't do 1t herself. If only Nogi could be found. He, of course. was implicated.
 "I'll get a lawyer for you If you'll let me Miss Austin,+ Lockwood said unable to resist his impulse to help her.
 T am a lawyer" said Maurice Trask. here and now offer my serv- ices to Miss Austin. If you'll accept, my ,dearfyouns lady. I promise to use my best efforts to do all that can be done. for you"
 "But do have to tell you again Anita began, perplexedly-her brows straight.
 Trask gazed at her fixedly, and then he said. That will be between us. You will decide when we talk things over, what to tell me and what not"
 He spoke as to a fractious child, and his voice was kind and helpful even though his infections were not cultured.
 Lockwood looked at him uneasily. Might not this mans kindness and assistance to the distressed girl lead her to feel such gratitude that 1t would be no hard matter for Trask to win more than gratitude? Lock wood was nervously sensitive to the interest Trask took in- Anita, and well knew his state of mind toward the little beauty.
 And, instead of being lessened by the trend of suspicion toward Anita, Lockwood's own infatuation deepen ed with every glance he allowed himself at the lovely face.
 The countenance of Miss Mystery was ever changing. Now, she was wistful-eyed child, and In a flash she was an inscrutable young woman only to change the next instant to a wrongly accused and innocent martyr.
 Anyway, Lockwood told himself, he meant to win her, and if Trask stood in his way, Trask must be set aside, that was all. An indomitable will ought to be able to conquer the in- tents of self made, unattractive like his own, surging more fully every moment, must appeal to the girl, once he could get chance to declare 1t.
 Lockwood was by no means a con- ceited man, but he had true sense filter mate for Miss Mystry than Trask, if the girl could know them both.
 T know a lawyer" Lockwood be- gan, "here in Corinth. Might he not be a better man for you, Miss Aus tin, than a stranger in town?'
 Just why?" Trask said, his eyes coldly scanning Lockwood's face.
 Because he would have known pr. Waring, and-and all the circum- stances" Lockwood concluded a lit tie lamely.
 Not much of an argument" Trask dismissed the suggestion. Also, I promise not to cost the lady as much as any other counsel would"
 This speech was accompanied by an admiring glance that was so nearly smirk that Lockwood with diffi- culty kept his hands off Trask throat.
 Mrs. Peyton. who with Helen had sat almost worthless through the whole session, now rose to go.
 Come, Helen," she said, I've are of no use here, and I'd rather take you away"
 Her implication that the presence of Miss Mystery was contaminating was too plain to be mistaken, and mother and daughter left the room.
 Gro be continued)