The Omaha morning bee., 1924-03-29

BY A contract for legal services. but
| IL Is plainly hlaekmail. and Gladys al.
mits If Is blaekmail. Your clever Nj.
Franklin is blaekmailing. With you as
his clever assistant
"It's-its not so," she declared. but
without her former vigor.
I'll tell you where your money
came from" Mitchell went on. From
your Mr. Franklin. Part of the black.
mail he has collected with your help.
He laughed harshly.
Your whole game is now as clear
as day. Your whole purpose in com
ing out TO Rolling Meadows was 10
carry out yours and Mr.. Franklin 5
plan of blackmailing Gladys
1T was not" Cordelia cried hotly
Il came TO Rolling Meadows to stor
your blackmailing Gladys. But In
not going TO tell on you. lie stopped
the cab. got out and left her.
She remembered that Gladys had
said she was paying more blackmail
than ever; something now whispered
insistenly in Cordelia that Gladys had
then spoken the truth.
She admitted to herself she did no;
| want to know the truth. 1t would be
better not to know. She-she was
AFRAID. And so long as she did no:
know the truth. she was innocent.
One resolve she did make. 1t first
flashed into her as an inspirations; II
| came as great light that clears
away all the black breads of the night
| 1t brought infinite relief She would
pay back all they had from Mr.
Franklini
The question came. should she tel
Jerry?
She decided that 1t would be wiser
| and simpler not to tell him.
They had settled upon the 18th oi
November for their quiet wedding
and Cordelia began TO look feyerishly
forward to this day as the day Of hei
release.
I'm absolutely fed up on these
news hounds. with their smelling and
baying. as they trail a fellows every
footstep TO the altar Jerry ex.
claimed. What do you say, Cordie-
lets put one over on the whole bunch.
Let's be married tomorrow
Let's" she agreed.
AT this point the well informed Mr..
franklin stepped in. He called Gladys
the next day.
Miss Marlowe and Mr.. Plimpton
are planning to slip away and be
married today. We've"
What" gasped Gladys. And you
promised to stop
Get Miss Marlowe's apartment and
ASK her to come out to you at once.
Make 1t important. AS soon as you've
talked to Miss Marlowe, get that Mrs.
Jackie Thorndike overland at oncep'
IL be there not many minutes
Dehind Miss Marlowe and Mr.. PIt,np.
ton. And III probably bring Mrs.
Marlowe with me-
one moment-don't hang up.i
crled Gladys. There's something
you'd perhaps better know. Mitchell
VIII pe here. This is Halloween. or
ms birthday. or something: and he
promised to spend the day with
Francois"
The next minute Franklin was ar
ranging matters with Mrs. Marlowe
and cordelia, In answer 10 GLADYS
earnest appeal. had persuaded Jerry
to stop at Rolling Meadows.
Miss Norworth wishes to see Miss
Marlowe in the study" the butler
said; on her arrival and opened the
heavy door TO the study. and after she
| had passed in he closed il behind her.
Mr.. Franklin" she exclaimed.
Good morning. Miss Marlowe." he
said pleasantly. / happened to be
out here seeing my client. Miss Nor.
worth. on a matter OF busines and |
thought ] would have a little chat
with you"
curtly.
My real business is this: 10 tell
YOU again that I love you. and 10
ask you again 10 marry me-"
You get me here with you by a
| trick-to tell me that-on my wed.
ding day.
"Cordelia. you're going 10 marry me
not that man waiting in the
library" he cried. his voice shaking
tn his passion. He hasn't love To
give you. Cordelia. He has only
money. I have love and I'll get you
all the money you'll ever want, ]
love you. Cordelia-I love you-don't
you see how I love you? God. how
l love youl And l always will love
you-always"
| stand out OF my wayr' she cried
imperiously. I've had enough OF
thisr'
He made no move to obey.
81 love you" he said. his voice
now quiet But IL you will not
, marry me for love. there is still an
other reason why you viii marry
me. You're a blackmailer. You're
an adventures You and your family
have been making a social show en-
| tirely on blackmail money"
so, All this while you've been
lying to me-leadlng me into a
trap
Exactly; IL you wish to put It IN
unpleasant language"
ITO think"-she breathed slowly
ito think that any man in all the
world could do such thing
Jerry" she cried. Jerry
She broke off. somewhat taken
aback. For instead OF the solitary
Jerry that she expected. waiting in
the library were Jerry. Gladys. Esther
and Mitchell.
Jerry crossed the room In three
strides. his face black, his hands
clenched.
Damn you. Franklin. I'm going"