Evening star., 1925-09-20

ScCbTlu lex, CdIIr pNCI tTS uOOI anu
settled beside her.
pertinences" she demanded. ~ ~
Business" said he. Get that
through your head and be sensible.
Shut off your engine. This joy ride
has gone far enough. The next thing
you know you'll run up against a
traffic cop"
Il hope So" said she. He'd soon
attend to your case"
And yours" he retorted. Don't
lose sight of that. You'd dodge
round the first corner il you saw a
policeman"
She was afraid horribly afraid. but
This is my car" she said indig-
nantly. Il shall have you arrested II
you don't get out Of it"
You're cool one" he told her
with an admiring laugh. But the
game Is up. my girl. lust turn at the
next crossing and drive back where
you came from
She indeed felt cool. The benumb-
ing chill spread to her finger tips.
But she did not turn at the next
crossing. She bore straight ahead
vista for an officer.
ST OoK here" warned her seat,
mate. I've been considerate
with you because you're woman.
| don't want To use force. but / will
IL YOU compel me To do it,"
You'd better not she said des-
perateIy. There are men enough
about to make It unpleasant Tor YOU.
| shall tell them who | am and what
YOU are. They'd never take your
word against mine. They'd proba bly,
heat YOU and-and ] hope they will =
No doubt" he returned. And
during the fracas you'd try to get
away. What do you expect To gain
by this tomfooery? If you'd rather
ride back in the Black Maria | shall
have to obEge YOU
His effontery astounded her.
Such braZen impudenee." she cried.
that l I'M thief
You're not exactly bankrupt of
brass yourself. Steal your car, How
did YOU manage to think up that
one"'
Because it IL my car. Because
you-or somebody-did steal il. And
now that ! have II back j intend to
keep it. | knew it by that queer dent
on the mudguard. by those scratches
on the door. Why. there on the glass.
before your very eyes, is my initial
Don't you see it,
Il see an initial" he conceded.
We'll. it's mine. I'm willing to
withdraw what | said moment ago.
I don't accuse you of stealing it. You
haven't the manner of a-of that sort
of person"
Thank you
oh | want to he just" she insisted
II realize that you may feel that you
have a right to it. that you may have
bought 1t in good faith. II you'll be
frank with me we can perhaps trace
the real thief
Very clever" he said. But you
file and ladified airs. | was sorry for
YOU at first-you are so young and
pretty-but it's plain that pity is
wasted. Underneath you're as hard
as nails"
She perceived that his own profile
was not unworthy of study and de-
cided to make another appeal to his
better nature.
You are young Yourself" she said.
slowing down. You appear to have
some of the instincts of a gentleman.
Whatever brought you to the life you
lead, it surely isn't too late for You to
give it UP and go straight. | don't
want to see you punished. I'm going
to let you out here and give YOU a
chance to be a better man. DO try
to find honest work and justify my
belief in YOU
He seemed moved She drew up
the curb and waited. But he did not
get out. He exploded i'm callous
laughter.
II knew YOU were smooth" he said.
sI,IIt 7 Iv' far inc q
good as this. | don't believe there's a
cleverer crook this side of Paris"
Her. skin famed.
You don't deserve my kindness"
she retorted furiously. It's time l
told You who I am. My father is
Judge Clayton of the Federal Court ~
That's richer still" said he. Pick
a top-liner while you're about it..
Well-just to complete the introduc-
tion-my uncle is the District At
torney."
DO you expect me to believe that"
do you expect me to believe that
you're Miss Clayton? | know only too
we'll who you are. You're Roadside
Annie"
Roadside Annie" she repeated
I've never even heard of the
creature
NO? She's rather celebrated She.
too drives a car. gets it stalled in
lonely spots on the bouIevards. ap-
peals for help when a prosperous vic
tim comes along. and then: while he
has his nose in the engine. her con-
federateS pop out of cover and stick
him up. Doesn't that refresh your
memory
She gazed at him as If she had only
now grasped the full measure of his
depra witty.
You're an INSCRIPTIONS wretch. :"
she burst out. But you shan't screen
your criminal acts by pretending to
take me for this Annie What sher
name. I've offered to let you go. If
YOUR such fool as not to seize your
chance, ! shall drive till I find an
officer. I am not afraid Of an in
vestigation.''
LIE again made no secret of his
admiration.
Fine acting. But you'd have cold
a udience at the station house. They'd
demand proofs"
And i can furnish them" she cried
ntly and with eager fingers
in the handbag which
swung from her left arm. Here is
my She stopped with look OF