Evening star., 1923-05-30
THE MYSTERY GIRL
A Thrilling Detective Story
BY CAROLYN WELLS.
Copyright. BY J. .. Lippiaosst co..

you know nothing about her. and
you've no reason to try to learn more.
And then he heard voices in the
hall. Low Of tone. but angry of in
Election.
"She threw 1t away" Miss Austin
was saying; II tell you she shrew II
away!"
There, there" came Mrs. Adams
placating voice. what IL she did? II
was only a newspaper scrap. She
didn't know 1t was of any value"
But / want it! Nora has no bust
ness to throw away my things, She
had no reason to touch it; IL was on
the dresser--standing up against the
mirror frame. What do you suppose
she did with it?'
Never mind it tonight Tomorrow
we VIII ask her. She's gone to bed
But I'm afraid she destroyed it,
probably she did. Don't take on
so. What paper was it,
The Corinth Gazette"
THE new one?'
81 don't know. The one she brouSh,
me this afternoon"
We'll, II she has thrown it away
you can get another copy. What was
in it that you want so much?"
"Oh-nothing special
Yes. ii was" Mrs. Adams curiosity
was aroused now. Come. tell me
what il was
well. it was only picture OF DR.
Waring, the man who lectured to-
night"
"Such a fuss about that. My good
ness. Why, you can get a picture oi
him anywhere
But l want it now
An obstinate note rsne in the young
voice. Perhaps Miss Austin spoke
louder than she meant to. but. at any
rate. Lockwood heard most OF thu
conversation. and he now opened his
door, and said:
May ] offer Il photograph. Would
you care TO have this. Miss Austin"
How dare YOU she cried: how
dare YOU eavesdrop and listen to a
conversation not meant for your ears:
Don't speak to me-
She drew up her slender figure and
looked like wrathful pixie defying
giant. For Lockwood was Il big
man. and Ioomed far above the slight
dainty figure of Miss Mystery.
He smiled good-naturedly as he
said: Now don't get wrathy. ! don't
mean any harm. But you wanted a
picture OF DIR. Waring. and I've sew
eral of them. You see, I'm his secre-
tary."
"Oh-are you: His private secre-
tary""
"Yes-his confidential one-thouGh
he has few condolences. He's a public
man and his life is an open book"
"Oh. II is.' The girl had recovered
iltT pOlSt. anu With 1t DtT aDlIllN To
be sarcastic. known to all men
suppose"
known to all men," repeated Lock =
wood, thinking far more of the girl
he was speaking TO than of what he
was saying.
For again he had fallen under the
spell of her strange personality. Hc
watched her fascinated AS she reached
out for the picture and almost snatch
ed at il in her eagerness
Mrs. Adams yawned behind her
plump hand.
Now you've got your picture. go
TO bed. child she said with kind
motherly smile. I'll come in and
unhook you, shall -"
Ubediently. and without word OF
good night to Lockwood. Anita turn ed
and Went into her room. followed by
Mrs. Adams. The good lady offered
no disinterested service. She wanted
to know why Miss Austin wanted thai
picture so much. She didn't find out
After being of such help as she could
the landlady found herself pleas
antly but definitely dismissed. Out
side the door. however. she tIrned
and reopened il. Miss Mystery. un-
noticing the intruder. was covering
the photograph with many and pas
sionate kisses
Continued tomorrow.