Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-06
Absolutely
Nothing
By MYRA c. LANE
5 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

And that's your business seeking
to ruin women's regulations for
money!"
Iheima Norton, white-Iipped, her
gray eyes blazing, confronted Alan
Lesson in the office of the detective
agency.
She was magnificent woman. with
the appearance of some queen of trag-
edy. Tall willOwy erect, she doml-
mated the man, controlled him, ter
rorized him by the force of her per
sonaity.
Nevertheless, Lesson pulled himself
together. Mine is a legitimate pro-
fession, Ms. Norton" he answered
coldly
$50 is the spy's," she answered.
"4ou are no better than spy, the
lowest, meanest thing that ever
crawled upon the face of the EARTH"
Alan Lesson bit his lip His eyes
fell. lie knew that it was true.
How much is my husband paying
you for this wonderful discovery that,
before I married him, had what is
commonly called a 'past'?"
Lesson might have rejoined that he
had retainer of a hundred dollars
day, with twenty-five thousand more
to be paid upon discovery of evidence
which would enable him to obtain a
divorce. And he might have said,
what, in fact. he was going to say,
that he had won the bonus.
THAT is part of my private bust.
ness, Mrs. Norton" he returned.
And you think it legitimate?"
"Was it legitimate ON your part to
behave as you have done, morally
speakingT"
Il can't discuss my affairs with
you. l shall put up the hardest fight
possible, You know what sort of crea-
ture has hired you to spy on me-a
man from whom | would separate my
self as soon as possible If II were
not for nay child. You know his repu.
tation2'
mo, Mrs Norton. l am not hired
to inquire into yocr husbands reputa.
tlon"
You know why he has suddenly
become SO eager to discover certain
facts? You know that he is in the
clutches of certain notorious
woman, and IS anxious to marry
herr
SIT may be possible, but ] assure
you q Is n1t my affair cannot dis.
cHss my employers business" said the
private detective
And how does he propose TO obtain
his divorce on the ground that / had
this paste?
'Your former husband, Mrs Norton,
is living"
An incredulous cry escaped her.
"LivingY She clasped her hands TO-
gether. "Oh. surely--surely you are
deceiving me, Mr. Lesson He died
eight years ago, before | married Mr..
| Norton under my maiden name"
unfortunately, he did not When
your husband placed the matter in my
| hands, | discovered. rather by acct
dent, that James Bannerley's death
was feigned, Tor the purpose of en-
| abling him to escape the attentions of
/ the police His international cOups
/ had netted him q considerable sum of
money, and, like a prudent man. he
| decided to assume another name and
retire from the world He has re-
| tired very smoothly and safely his
past has been forgotten, and he is not
likely TO come into prominence
again"
"Where-wherc in heaven name is
hef"
HE is a member of parliament for
8 district In South Australia, and a
prominent farmer there. He is hap
PLY married and has four children"
'And that's the man I once loved
and married = murmured Thelma Nor
ten. And suddenly she turned to
Lesson.
you are getting probably a large
sum for your Investigations / don't
know whether you get more for find
ing this evidence, but have you no
/ pity at alT'
"Pity doesn't so with my profes,
sion Mrs. Norton"
My little boy, deprived Of a
mothers care, my reputation"
/ Il can do nothing for you, Mrs. Nor
ton answered the detective,
Then God do so TO you and more
aisoi" she retorted as she swept out
of the Office
Next afternoon LeesOn stood before
his employer Norton chewed his
cigar at his desk. Lesson had his type
written report % his pocket
"Leeson," said Norton, Il sent for
you because his voice
dropped. "Sae here. | guess there's
nothing you can find. Thelua isn't
that type o. woman. So-we've got
to manufacture something. See? Some
eyidence that II give me what want.
We've got to get false affidavitS
and"
Leeson started "We don't do That
kind of business. Mr.. Norton he an
swered
"Dont oh? Then I'll have TO get