Evening star., 1926-09-21
Mysterious Sweetheart
BY ELLA WISTER. HALNES
WISTER. HAINES
Copyright. 1o26.)


took the note from Bergen's hand,
giving it to Paul.
This at least belongs to you," he
said, and his voice was husky. "She
has left you the rings, although she
knew that she might be called upon
to pay for them with her life. You
have my sympathy, Mr.. Reynolds.
1t is too bad"
Paul felt George Burns arm about
his shoulder, was conscious that
Frank stood close beside him. His own
hand clutched the sheet of paper SO
tightly that his nails cut into his
palm, yet he stood immovable, too
stunned to care what happened to
him, thinking only of Carolita, his
Carolita, his sweetheart, who had
freely offered her life to save him.
Presently from far off he became
aware of voices about him. The chief
was talking with Bergen; Burns and
Hyatt were joining in.
"You don't need to look any further
| for the Salvation Army lasses." Ber-
| gen was saying. II know where they
are, all right"
You do.' 1t was Franks voice, in.
| credulous, eager.
Yes. Funny thing. I got in touch
with the traffic department thinking
the whole bunch Of them-''
You don't think they went to-
gether?" Frank persisted.
We'll, I'm not saying that. but
they've pulled this deal together all
right
Salvation Army lasses! Oh, come,
now"
salvation Army lasses, nothing.
That was a clever disguise.'
You're wrong" Frank flung back
Gaines knew one of them, he said
so.'
Maybe, but did he say she was a
Salvationist?" Bergen retorted.
"Well-" Frank thought a min.
| ute.
Just what did he say?" Bergen in
sisted.
ut seems to me he said that he had
known Adjutant Gabrielle before she
| joined the Army"
That's different. Did you see them
closely, Hyatt? Speak with them?"
NO! / never had a chance. But
where did they go? We have to inter.
view them, don't we?"
"Ees, but that can wait. The point
| now is to trail this Italian and the
| girl. After we land them the other
! things will take care of themselves.
We haven't much to go on. either,
! for they were not stopped by the traf-
didn't try to speed away. 1t is possible
| that they are still here in town.
Paul was not paying close attention
| to this conversation, although it was
| to return to his mind later on. His
thoughts had whirled around one
sentence in Carolita's pitiful little note
Of farewell. Keep both rings
Chief" he said now. rousing himself
with an effort. do you note this one
sentence? What does that mean?
never had but one ring! Yet she
speaks as if had them both"
1--WE been thinking about that" the
chief replied. Il wonder II you won't
find the companion ring hidden in a
bag?"
I'm sure it can't be. Everything
was so thoroughly searched. She was
searched. too, you remember. She
didn't have it then! The Italian didn't
! have it. nobody had it,
| II don't see that it is OF much I'M
portance at the moment Bergen was
saving. I'VE have one ring and know
belong to the girl and she is lost
! Find her first, then the small details
| can be explained. And I'll be on my
way now. chief. I'll keep calling In
Where are you staying?" he said to
| Paul, and upon receiving his answer
he nodded good-by and hurried off.
"Mr. Reynolds" the chief said. you
have hard blow and you look all in
! Go back to your club and get your.
self together. Your case is in good
| hands. you can do nothing more at
present. and there is one mighty
favorable circumstance. Gaines Is
following the girl. He's fine man. II
anybody can protect her he wiil"'
Then YOU don't think that mar
! has killed her." Paul heard his OWL
! voice but il sounded like stranger $.
What reason have YOU for hoping
she is alive?
Well murders a mighty serious
crime, especially when the fellow
knows that whole train full of people
are after him. He wanted to get the
| girl away and has thrown big scare
into her 10 make her follow. She
swallowed his bait easily enough!
And when he finds she left the
rings behindl'