Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-17

ference with the pleading. widowed
mother and the frightened, fatherless
son.
Just the old story-but with hid
I den element of interest which had
flashed upon Clifford during Mrs. For
sythe's recital. His instict, his knowl'
edge of his old enemy, told him that
Bradley was behind this affair. And
Clifford felt that if he handled the
Forsythe matter well, here was a
chance to put him away where he
would no longer be a danger to Cllf-
ford and menace 10 all rich people
who had some time lapsed into folly.
Chfford's walk to the Green Manors
station led by the place in which
Bradley had established himself Is a
serni-retired private detective of high
repute and a gentleman of means who
desired and sought no social relations
with his neighbors in this exclusive
colony.
AS Clifford passed the grounds he
saw feminine figure enter the house.
1t was Mary Regain.
Clifford halted. There swept upon
him overwhelmingly a desire TO see
her face to face, to speak to her-his
secret wife, who had deserted him the
afternoon OF their marriage-even
though he had TO meet her in the
house of his enemy. With grim deter
mination. he swung open the gate,
walked up the path and rang the gell.
I'D like to see Miss Regain" he said
to Bradley's butler.
I'll look for her, sir" said the but
Ter. kindly wait in the study, sir"
and he led Clifford into the well re-
membered room.
,n1 ai1Afr ~
Mary Regain had entered. Clifford
turned. But the newcomer was Brad
lev. What did you come to see me
about, Clinord?" he asked.
81 didn't come to see you, Bradley.
/ came to see Mary Regain"
The narrowed eyes held to Clifford's
face for long moment. Then, with
out word, he went out and returned
with Mary.
"A gentleman TO see you. Mary" he
said.
For a moment Clifford could only
gaze at the proud ivory-white face of
his wife. who was his greatest mys-
terry. Her black eyes returned his
gaze without a CULVER.
Gould / see you-alone?' he man
aged to ask.
Bradley spoke first.
"As far as / am concerned, yes"
Don't go. Mr. Bradley" she said.
''NIr. Clifford has nothing to say to
me of a private character" Bradley
what is it you wish to say, il you
please?''
Clifford flushed with chagrin, but
he made one more try.
II am returning TO the city by the
next train. l was hoping that you
were. returning by the same train
and that l might have your COM
pany."
Her cool voice and bearing did not
alter. THANK you. 1 am going
back by much later train"
With a stiff bow, Clifford went out.
x X 4
WHEN he reached the station Cliff.
NV ford saw Richard Forsythe and
Jean Fenton, his fiancee, evidently
awaiting the train.
Unquestionably they were profound
ly in love; every glance, every ges-
ture showed that. Young Forsythe.
who was about %. was a sensitive,
highly strung individual. Jean Fen
tSn, despite her unusual beauty, her
social position. the fact of being the
sbIe heir of Henry K. Fenton of the
great Fenton Holdings Corporation,
was unspoiled, simple, sincere. The
finest kind of girl No wonder the
Forsythes didn't want that story to
get TO Jean Fenton,
On the ride back TO the city, Clifford
dissected the ancient story which had
been told him in Mrs. Forsythes sit.
ting-room.
The other girls name was Lolette
Morgan. She belonged to Broadway.
and. a year or two back. young Dick
Forsythe had come under her spell.
Just how far the affair had gone
Clifford had not been told: but the
young man had written her ardent
letterS-this he admitted-and Miss
Morgan, with an eye to the future,
had kept the nissives. The now re-
GREETED romance YVES still a secret, as
1t would remain, if Lolette were paid
an adequate price for the letters.
Otherwise there would be a scandal.
The Forsythes had put this matter
OF negotiating for the letters in the
hands of Bradley, he being neigh.
Dor. and, by repute. a discreet and
most able detective. Their offer, made
through Bradley. had risen to 500, 900.
But Bradley had reported that Miss
Morgan seemed ir different TO this
offer, and would make no proposition
of her own. Therefore they had called
in Clifford.
The situation was made to fit Brad
ley's private business devices-his
profitable practice of minting the in
discretions. the secret follies, of the
rich into gold. Undoubtedly, Bradley
was In collision with Iolette Morgan
she was acting under his orders: and
Bradley. unless checked. would bleed
the torsythes white.
* x y
CLIFFORD decided that he would
see Lolette Morgan himself.
Al q o'clock that same evening, by
appointment, he was shown into hel
sitting room. She kept him waitins
several minutes, and he used the tim,
TO make mental notes. The room an,
all he couh1 see Of the apartment toll
lsirn that a decorator had been turned
loose here with Just one order--to Sc
cure easeful luxlV'y.
Clifford l8ew little Of Lolett,
Morgan by reputation, and occasion
ally had seen her in the smartes
restaurants and tn night clubs. Sh'
had been a modiste's model at $40
week until she had become shoV
girl.
Presently she came in. a slight
graceful dainty figure, not one bit o
hardness or coarseness in face o
manner.
Mr.. Clifford. is il not?" she in
quired pleasantly You wanted t,
see me, | believe. But lets sit down
Just what did you wish 10 see m
about, Mr.. Clifford
clifford came araieht TO the point.
"Oh, YOU mean Dickie Forsythe!
she smiled. Rather a nice boy
Dickie. But | thought MIR. Bradle
was representing him and his mother.
..I also I'M lpnrasent Inc. hem uhf