The Washington times., 1923-03-01


memoirs some day. Be
nice to him, Miss Deane. and
you'll receive gift-copy."
Penwell colored.
Quit itv' he grumbled. The
mirth went out of his voice. miss
Deane, the Era wants a state
naent from you"
Before she could reply, Van
deryent spoke. "Then we weren't
mistaken. The maid said you
aslxed for Miss Deane. but"
Penwell shook his head.
Naughty. naughty. Mr.. Van.
dervent! You can't fool me-"
''Then I won't try" said Van
defvent crisply. What is it
that you want?" His tone was
business-like.
Penwell's reply was equally so.
"The Era has learned, from an
authoritative source, that Miss
DeAne was in the office of Nor.
RE Beiner shortly before he was
murdered; that, in short, she was
sought by the police on suspicion
@ having committed the crime"
"Carey's dead, and left a con-
fession,'' said vandervent.
Penwell shrugged. Even So"
Authoritative source, you
eaid7" questioned vandervent.
7 suppose that means a drug
lend named Garland"
Penweil nodded.
you should have locked that
bird up, Mr.. Vandervent, until he
iost his love for talk"
And money" amended VAN
Aervent.
Not much. Fifty dollars"
:sCheap at the price. STILL" said
WAndervent. rather expensive
When you can't use what he told
sou"
No?" Penwell was politely in
fereeted. For all his youth, one
would have judged him a good
poker player.
..AIiss Deane was unfortunate:
. victim Of circumstances. The
Era wouldn't drag her into nasty
scandal, would it?" demanded
NAndervent.
News IL news" stated Penwell.
Listen to a trader" asked Van
Aervent.
Always willing to-" smiled PEN
gpell.
Vandervent blushed.
Unfortunately, sometimes, a.
Vandervent is always a Wander
gent"
Thou speakest truth, o Sager'
eanghed the young man.
sand what a Vandervent eats
4or breakfast makes snappy read
ing, think you'd call it. for hoi
Dolloi. eh?'
Continue. You interest me
strangely" said Penwell.
my engagement-its announce
sm6nt rather-would be q beat of
some value?"
Penwell bowed to Clancy.
Miss Deane, gaze upon a man
% sinful that he takes a bribe."
liz turne dto Vandervent. 1.-The
Ezra won't print a word about
Miss Deane. Who's the Lady,"
- Miss Deane," said Vandervent.
For a moment Penwell stared at
the young girl. Then. slowly, he
spoke.
Miss Deane, didn't want this
assignment. But reporter does
what he's told. I can't tell you
how glad am. that I can turn in
something bigger for the paper.
Why, Mr.. VandArvent, the paper
wouldn't dare take a chance on
printing something that Gar
land said about your fiancee"
"It might prove rather expensive
for the Era" said Vandervent.
But Penwell didn't hear him.
He was staring at Clancy. And
smiling.
Miss Deane, 1 don't know any.
thing about you. 1 hope you'll
tell me something for the paper.
But whoever you may be, you've
saone well in your engagement.
You're going to marry one of the
whitest-tell me. when was the
engagement contracted?"
Clancy colored to the roots Of
her hair. Vandervent gently push
Cd the reporter toward the door.
sCome back" he said, Gin five
minutes and wen answer that
quektion."
Penwell looked from one to the
other. Then he grinned. Then
he backed out Of the room. For a
moment. there was silence be
tween the girl and the man. Van.
M@event spoke first.