The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-03-03

"Just stay there, will you?" He
turned to the three gaping young
sters. "You dare make a move
and I'll knock your heads together.
Just remember that you're drunk
and I'm sober"
He went into the next room, and
Immediately saw several forms un-
der the bed. He reached down and
jerked them out by their legs.
They rolled over, covering theiA
faces and sobbing with fright.
Emancipated as they were and dis
dainful of pre-war parents. wher,it
came to late parties in a bachelors
rooms they exercised strategy to
slip out, not defiance.
"Oh, Mr.. Oglethorpe,". gasped one
convulsively. Don't tell on us.
p-l.e-a-ste."
i've no intention of telling on
you., You can go to the devil in
your own way for all care. I'm
after Janet"
shes not here"
That's what I'm going to find
out" He opened the door OF
wardrobe and another girl tumbled
into his arms, shrieked, and flung
herself face downward on the
bed. But 1t was not Janet. He in.
vestigated every corner Of the
apartment and then returned to
Clavering, slamming the door be.
hind him.
"She's not there, Lee" he said,
leaning heavily against the wall.
where in Gods name Is she?
don't Know where to look next.
This is her particular gang. She
has no other intimates that l know
OF. But what do know about ker.
anyway"
you're sure she isn't hiding
anywhere at home?"
Searched the house from top to
bottom" ''.'''I'' go
II suppose it ism: likely that
she's gone to any OF her aunts."
Good Lord, no. She'd take q
chance on mother, but never with
any OF the rest Of the family, and
she's got no money. saw to that. -.
D'you suppose she's roaming the
streets?"' .-..
"Well, she can't roam long; legs
will give out. Perhaps she's home
by now or at Mrs. Oglethorpe's.
Better telephone"
They went out and found pub
lie telephone. Janet had not been
seen nor heard from.
"You don't think it's going to be
another Dorothy Arnold case?"
gasped Oglethorpe, who seemed
completely unnerved.
Good Heavens no. Jim! And
she's able to take care Of herself.
Nobody better. She'll give you 2
scare and then turn up-with her
thumb at her nose, likely. Better
come up to my rooms aud have a
drink"
"Orright. can't go home and I
don't want to be alone anywhere.
Id go out of my senses. Anything
might happen to- her, and / shan't
call in the police until the last
minute. Filthy scandal"
Police? Certainly not. And as
Janet is cold sober. be sure she'll
come to no harm"
A few moments later they were
in the lift ascending to Clavering's
rooms. "Hullo!" he said, as he
opened the door Of his little hall.
"The fool maid has left the light
on" and, as. they entered the liv.
Ling room, what the devil" Ciga.
Irette smoke hung in the air.
| There was a wild shrek from a
corner OF the room, slim girl
leaped across the intervening space
liRe a panther, and fiinging herself
upon Oglethorpe, beat his chest
with her fists. you damned old
plumber, You old dumb-duck!"
i shrieked his little daughter. What
I did you come here and spoil every.
thing for? He'd have had to mar.
ry me tomorrow il you'd minded
your own business I'll claw your
eyes out" But her hands were
imprisoned, in her fathers hard
fists, and she turned and spat at
the petrified Clavering. Il hate
you! hate you! But I'm going
to marry you all the same. One
1 way or another I'll get you. I
fmeant to wait awhile; for hadn't
had fun enough yet, and Id have
precious little with you. you old
fat tire. But when I heard that
old Zattiany woman'd got hold Of
you-and then locked up and not
able to do thing-I thought I'd
80 mad. l. dropped my diamond
bracelet out of the window and one
OF the servants let me out won't
\ tell which. You've been seen COM
ing out of her house at all hours,
but she's a thousand years old and
nobody cares what she does, but I
INTENDED to rouse this whole house
and I'd have been so compromised
you'd have had to marry me.
! You're a gentleman II you are a
damned old leftover. and you're
Il friend Of granny's and dads. I'd
II have had you tied up so tight
4 yoG'd have toddled straight down
to the City Hall"
Clavering stared at her. wonder
ing how women felt when they
were going to have Mysteries.
What night! And this girls re-
| sem blance to her grandmother was
uncanny. He could see the Jane
Oglethorpe of the portrait In Just