San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-18
Begin Here TOady.

SalIie Peck, employe Of the Fair
Deal Five & Ten, quarrels with her
policeman sweetheart, Michael Cur
lis. That night Sallie goes into the
yard to take down washing for
Ma Brennan. with whom Sallie
lives. A crash shakes the earth and
something strikes Sallie blow on
the head.
When she regains consciousness,
the girl finds herself in strange sur
roundings. A French maid calls
her Alva Copeland and Madame
Copeland. tall, richly gowned wo-
man, claims her as her step-daugh.
ter. Sallie discovers that she has
fallen into the hands of crooks and
that she is being substituted for the
real Alva Copeland.
A man-servant falls in love with
Sallie and warns her that the Cope
lands. having become suspicious OF
her. mean to poison her. He offers
to rescue her by taking her secretly
from the house. Now go on with the
story.
Alone. Sallie smiled grimly to her
self MS she poured the soup and cof-
fee down the hand basin in the bath
room. secreted the larger portion of
solid food and messed the rest about
with her fork. She was in negll-
gee brushing her hair when Therese
came once more and noticed the
quick CLEAN which came into the
woman's eyes as she darted a glance
at the tray.
Here is the travelling costume.
Mees. You will put on the robe now
There are many hours yet but it is
well to be prepare"
Thanks" Sallie observed laconi-
cally. 'You needn't help me. l can
manage alone
every well, Mees.' Therese picked
up the tray. 81 was to say that all
the necessary luggage would be in
the car. II wish you & safe jour-
ncy. Mees.' =.
The slight hesitation betrayed that
Thcrese was not as hardened as she
seemed and Sallic forced herself to
reply nonchalantly. bat when the wo-
man at length disappee red a feeling
Of panic seized her. Could she de-
pend on Fitch after MI: Would he be
able to get her safely out of the
house with all the odds against him
Forcing back her futile fears Sal
lie put on the brown travelling gown
which showed signs Of previous
wear and laid the cape. gloves and
toque that had accompanied it upon
n chair. She had no means of know
ing how soon the drug which she
had supposedly taken in her food
YVES expected to effect her. but at ten
o'clock she threw herself drowsily
across her bed conscious that prying
eyes might be upon her through the
keyholc.
Eleven o'clock came and then mid.
night and Salie was beginning ia
despair when she heard cat-like foot.
steps outside the door. mufflcd oaths
and scufflings and then a limp, slid
ing sound ending in a soft thut
which turned her faint and sick fol
moment.
Springing IN she pushed the toqut
hastily down upon her head. flunt
the cane about her and turned to tht
door just as IT opened noiselessly ant
Fitch appeared.
Good girl. Bess! Come on now
and not sound Had to give thai
fellow n narsty crack and when they
find him they'll let ell loose"
Mechanically Sallie seized the p;s
tol Fitch thrust into her hand. gave
one glance at the figure sprawlet
face downward upon the floor about
the head of which in the dull glow
of the hall lamp dark stain was al
ready spreading. and then fled aftel
her rescuer down the stairs.
1t was evident chat the struggle II
the hall had not been heard for thu
house was as decorously still a
though it were not planned TO carry
an unconscious girl out within tn,
hour TO horrors as yet unknown
They reached the lower floor ant
the tradesmcn's entrance unchecked
and Sallie felt little sob well M il
her throat as the cool night air bea
upon her face.
Still at Fitch's heels she ran acros