Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-03

Henry" she said, 81 am facing
"a business. crisis and | must have
one million dollars at once"
MallinSOn smiled. I'D do any,
thing in the world for you Ruth, but
under the circumstances | cannot
loan money to your company. To
you"
81 have ne security" the girl in
terrupted, Everything own is
turned over to the company
ANY nominal security would do
for instance Haunted Valley"
why" the girl exclaimed. 'Its
almost worthless, but must have
the money and-and if you are
willing"
In fifteen minutes the papers we're
drawn up. They so stipulated that
If Ruth failed TO repay the borrowed
sum to Henry Mallinson ninety days
from the date of signature, all right
and title to Haunted Valley would
revert to him
Ruth" MaIlinson said, after the
papers were turned over, 81 love
you. Marry me and let ME relieve
you of all your troubles Should
you fail, I'll take care Of Ranger,
Incorporated"
but, Henry, won't fail,o smiled
the girl, drawing back.
But if you do fail, will you
marry me at the end of three months
and let me help you and the com
pany you are so proud of ?"
Ruth was quite confident of her
success. "Since you put it that way,
| agree" she answered. 81 will
marry you at the end Of the three
months"
Ruth Ranger was extremely
pleased with the ease in which she
had accomplished her mission. The
work on Lost River Dam could nov
go on, and surely, there were
enough projects looming up to pay
the money back without the slight
est difficulty.
Mallinson smiled craftily as his
two agents, Dirks and Sharkey,
entered his Office. He quickly ex-
planned to them what he had accom-
plished and then went over a list of
Ranger projects and informed them
that work on each one would have
to be slackened to bring success to
his plans.
Before we 60 furthcr,o' Dlpkg
interrupted, 81 want a written agree
ment as to my share Of Haunted
Valley"
Look here, Dirksl" Mallinsoa
angrily replied, 'you shall be paid
well for your inventions. And
Sharhey, you will be paid for your
special work But | have engineered
this thing and let there be no talk
of sharing the rewards with either
of you"
A flare of anger passed over
DirkS' face. "Why- why-you-
he shouted, reaching for a sharp
2aper knife.
" Mallinson was too quick for him
A blow in the face foored Dirks
"Now get out of here until you can
behave" MallinsOn warned4
AT Ruth's home that night a figure
skulked about the premises. A win
dow, leading to the living room was
opened and a note thR0wn in on the
table. When Ruth offered the room
short time laters @1er eyes fell on
the note, She pickeT& il up ard read:
Ruth Ranger;
whatever dangers you have to
face, solve the mystery of Haunted
Valley. 1t holds untold wealth.
can Interested Friend.
The girl could not understand the
meaning of the mysterious warning.
She was about to phone Mallinson
when there was ring at the door.
Oh, yes! She had forgotten that
she had invited her attractive young
rescuer, Craig, to call that evening.
She had just finished her greeting
when there was another ring al the
doorbell. The girl excused herself
and walked toward the door. Open
ing it, she started back as she saw
the maddened features of Dirk
staring at her.
"Are you Ruth Ranger ?" he
asked excitedly.
'Why, yes" answered the sur
prised girl.
"I1l tell you the secret oil
Haunted Valley" DirkS gasped
Keep it-don't fail to keep it
for"
At that moment the girl was
startled to see a figure rise up from
behind a hedge A pistol crackcC
and Dirks fell at her feet!
Ito be continued)