Evening star., 1927-05-15
rust about What's the idea ?''


pretty straight--that Airline Carlisle
might have been connected with the
theft. IT she should be the thief and
Bradley should know it, wouldn't that
give him the hold upon her necessary
for present purposes"
Il should say so! But, great heaT'
EMS
Then | wish you'd dig up what you
can abut Airline. And | wish YOU d
hang around, for II there are any ar
rests Id like to have you make them.
Late the following morning, by ap'
pointment. Clifford was talking with
the dazzling Lorna Gale III her hotel.
She showed him Il photograph of the
famous necklace.
Miss Gale" he said, IF | find and
return the pearls. will you agree not
to prosecute the thief"
Il promise. All / care about Is the
return OF the necklace"
That afternoon. in company with
young Jones. Clifford motored to the
scene of the marriage. At little par
sonage they met the Rev. Mr.. Masters,
who acknowledged having performed
the ceremony. Investigation brought
out that the congregation could not
afford to have n pastor all the time
and that Mr.. Masters had come to
them three weeks before with the best
of recommendations. and had proved
himself an eloquent and devoted pas
tor. The possibility of illegality in the
marriage was thus eliminated.
The following day Clifford went to
Airline apartment. She granted his
request for an extension of time in the
settlement.
But / can't make it later than a
week from Saturday night" she eA-
planned. MY show ends that night
| want to get out of town right then.
I'VE may want until the last hour.
To this she agreed, then turned
her talk to her marriage.
II know you think | triCked Bobbie
Jones into marrying me" she said.
That's not SO. married hin good
faith, because he asked me, ~ he.
cause I liked him. I knew he I'D no
money. And I'm willing To have our
marriage stand on that basis, the two
of us trying to make the best of our
married life. But, since Bobby doesn't
want it that way-well. why shouldn't
be bit of gold digger
IL believe I understand" said Clif-
ford.
He was studying her and the apart
ment,
At last she said "Now, that's all
the business were going to talk today.
I'll get us some tea"
She disappeared, and when he
heard sounds from the kitchen. Cliff
ford seized her handbag which lay
on the table. He found nothing of
significance. until he came upon a
bit of folded paper. It proved to be
a pawn ticket for two pearls.
WHEN Clifford .left, he was eXultant.
w Airline had indeed stolen Lorna
Gales pearls. Bradley's knowledge of
this theft was really the weapon he
was using to force Airline to do his
will. While that pawn ticket was to
Clifford full proof Of this, he realized
that it was not sufficient legal evil
dence.
The days that followed We're all the
more trying, because, in trying to save
the romance OF young Jones and Mar
jorie Graham he was constantly
gazing upon the wreck of his own
romance. His bitterness toward Mary
almost passed the limits of his en-
durance. At times he was almost inn
PEELED to end her alliance with Brad
J
Regan was his wife. But before
such impulse could develop into ac-
tion Clifford's promise to Mary of
silence always checked him.
The final Saturday came, and Cliff
ford was still without real evidence.
At haIf-past 5. by appointment, Cliff
ford was a second time In Arline's
apartment. Mary Regan was there,
but promptly withdrew into the rear
of the tiny establishment. Two trunks
and two large bags stood open. all but
packed.
I'm very glad you're here. Mr..
Clifford" Airline said. II wanted to
know just what the formalities for
tonight will be, for / wanted to be
| hope they will be brief"
Very brief. Merely certified
check to you, and in reutrn a couple
OF documents from you"
II see. What are the documents?"
First, this letter from you to Mrs.
Jones'" Clifford handed her a type
written sheet. "In this letter you sug.
gest that, since your marriage does
not meet with her approval. you will
obtain an annulment upon the terms
already discussed. and you state the
terms. / want you to copy the let
ter in your own hand
And the other document"
Clifford handed her a second sheet.
This is merely receipt acknowl.
edging the first payment of $3.50 900
upon the sum of 100000 you are to
be paid in return for getting an an
nulment. Neither document is strict
ly legal. But IL there should be any
attempt TO evade the terms of this
agreement and the affair should come
into the open these two documents
might be some protection to Mrs.
Jones in court"
Very well. Is there ANYTHING
else?"
''One small item. I do not doubt
your marriage: but, since it has not
bring the marriage certificate given
you by the clergyman, Mr.. Masters"
Certainly" she stood up. I'm so
rushed that this Is the best time for
me to copy the letter for you. Please
wait and see whether / have 1t just
right. I'll slip into my bedroom TO
write
Clifford noted the handbag upon
her table, and only by great effort
did he hold back startled cry. 1t
was partially open, and he could see
that 1t contained pearls. Swiftly he
crossed to the table. and the next
moment was gazing at the great heap
of lustrous giobules in his hand.
Clifford was utterly bewildered.
Should he confront Airline right here?
No. Better to save his discovery till
that night, when he would spring the
pearls upon the unsuspecting group;
that would force out the truth. In
the meantime, the pearls would be
safe with Airline; she was keeping
them with her for her getaway.
He was starting to return the
pearls to the bag when a voice
sounded behind him. ''What are you
doing there?"
He turned the pearls still in his
hand. Mary Regan was regarding
him with cold accusation. lie man
aged TO speak naturally: Il chanced
to knock Miss Carlsle's bag from the