davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald., 1927-10-26

morning."
 That ancient idea of sleeping on q problem is a fallacy," said Vance, as we walked out into Madison avenue. ''-an apologia, as it were, for ones not being able to think clearly. Poetic idea, y know. All poets believe in it--nature's soft nurse. the balm of woe. childhood's mandragora, tired natures sweet restorer, and that sort of thing.
 silly notion. When the brain is keyed up and alive, it works far better than when apathetic from the torpor Of sleep. Slumber is an anodyne--not a stimulus" Well, you sit up and think,' was Markham's S surly advice. That's what I'm going to do," blithely returned Vance; but not about the Benson case. did all the thinking I'm going to do along that line four days ago." "Wednesday, June f0; forenOOn.) We rode down town with Mark ! ham the next morning. and though we arrived at his office before 9 o'clock, Heath was already there waiting. He appeared worried. and when he spoke his voice held an ] ill-disguised reproof for the district attorney.
 1 What about this Leacock. MT. Mark ham 9" he asked. Tt looks to { me like wed better grab him quick. We've been trailing him right along; and there's something funny going on.
 Yesterday morning he went 10 his bank and spent half an hour in the chief cashiers office. After that he visited his lawyers, and was there over an hour. Then he went back to the bank for another half hour. He dropped in to the Astor Grill for lunch. but didn't eTt any thing-sat staring at the table.
 "About o'clocl. he called on the realty agents who have the hand ling Of the building he lives in: and, after he'd left, We found out he'd . 'll'I'i HIS tibtI tIIi'ilN lci Sup-i'tiFH' 1 beginning tomorrow. Then he paid six calls on friends of his, and went | home.
 After dinner my man rang his | apartment bell and asked for Mr. l Hoozitz:--I. I.eacock was packing mp.
 II looks to me like get away"
 Markham frowned. Heath's re- rort clearly troubled him: but be- fore he-could answer. Vance spoke.
 "W-hy this perturbation. Ser geant' You're watching the Cap tain. I'm sure ho cant slip from your Nigilant clutches
 Markham looked at Vance a'mo- ment then turned 10 Heath.
 "I.et it go at that, Bnt if Lea cock attempts to leave the city, nab him."
 Heath went out snllonly.
 By the bye, Markham' said Vance: "dont make an appoint mont for half past twelve today. You already have one, don't y know. And with lady"
 Markham put down his pen. and stared
 "Nhat rev damned nonsense Is this ."
 "I made an enga cement for you 'alled the lady by phone this morn ing. I'm sure I woke the dear up | Markham spluttercd. striving tc articulate his angry protest.
 Vance held up his hand sooth. ingly.
 And you simply must keep the engagement. Y see. l told her fl vas you speakng: and il would b' shocking taste not 10 appear. I promise you won't regret meeting } her. he added,
 "Things looked so sadly botud
 tilel last night couldn't bear tt see you suffering so. Consequently
 I arranged for you to see Mrs. Paul; Banning-Pfyfc's Eloise. y know
New Britain herald., 1927-10-26
THIS HAS HAPPENED

Vance eliminates Miss St. Clair as a suspect, and when Pfyfe's state monts strengthen the case against Lcacock he intoryenes to keep Mark nam from arresting the captain. II il brought out that Ptyfe had forged < Twin Bensons name to a check. Vance thinks Pfyfe must have put up some security to cover the for gery, and he believes this security vas the box of jewelry that disap- peared from Benson'S house when L. cl.-l.
New Britain herald., 1927-10-26

and indulged. he learns to lean on the indulgence. His tiredness be- comes to him a means of getting what he wants. Such little will power as he has is destroyed, and
 he is likely to turn out a pitiful failure.
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

eyes, but she doesn't know
that" Monica giggled. AS the
car came to stop she honked
its three-noted horn loudly.
1t was bold blast. But Mon
ica's own holiness suddenly left
her as she stood on the porch Of
the house and rang the doorbell.
Bobbie could almost see her
tremble, and she looked white
and strained.
II feel about as cheerful as IL
We're going to the electric
chair" she giggIed nervously.
For two pins I'd beat it.'
The door opened and Lottie
herself stood there.
without a word, she looked first
rom Monica to Bobbie as If she
wondered how on earth they hap
pened to be standing there side
by side.
"How-do-you do?" she fal.
tered at last.
And then, after another little
pause, she said: Wont you come
IMP"
1t was perfectly plain that that
was what they had come for, and
there really was nothing for her
to do but to ask them in.
They followed her into the cool
dimness Of the house. The blinds
were down to keep out the blaz-
ing sunlight of the late after
noon, and all of the rooms were
filled with artificial twilight.
Bobbie saw Monica look curl
ously about her at the plain soft
rugs, the light-colored walls, the
silk draperies, and the great
crystal bowls of roses that were
everywhere in the rooms.
This was anything but Monica's
notion of what a house should be.
Her own taste ran to gilt.framed
pictures on the walls, bright-col-
ored rugs on the floors, taffeta
sofa cushions loaded with gold
lace. incense burners and velvet
chairs.
She sat down on the very edge
The Washington times., 1927-06-25
ROEN's MOTHER CAUTIONED

) learn that the offices were moved
to building in Nassau Street.
But I gave you the address,"
Roen insisted. II wrote it on a
little yellow card. Don't you
remember"
He thought she had. But Sun
day, when he was ready to leave,
he searched everywhere. in every
pocket. without success. So he
came down anyway. certain that
his instinct would take him to the
right house. remembering only
that she lived across from Cen
trail Park.
you were that near to US all
day, Michael? If we'd only
known, we might have taken a
walk. Then we might surely
have met you and saved our
hearts from breaking"
They went along gaily, laugh.
ing hilariously, as though the
world were made of mirth, caring
nothing for the disappointment
of yesterday.
"oh, if he keeps looking at me
The Washington times., 1927-06-25
CAPTAIN SALVATION Frederic

A T each opening in the poop-rail
"A Mulcahey and the mate stood
watchful guard, armed with boat.
axes and with a bucket Of Delay
ing pins and iron bolts beside them.
Arson and Crosby conversed near.
by, the former with shotgun in
his hands, the latter with the car.
penter's favorite weapon razor.
edged broadaxe.
There was much laughing and
singing from the direction of the
forccastle, the strains also of
mouth organ and accordion. Oc-
! casionally somebody would bawl a
gibing sally In the dark-such re.
partee usually being addressed to
Arson and Mr.. French.
Four Bells
At four bells in the first watch
the music and human voices for
ward had ceased. But the swell
was running heavier and the gear
aloft was clashing to the increased
rolling of the ship. The impending
storm seemed overhead. Arson,
1ounging over the poop rail, staring
into the darkness, turned suddenly
to the mate.
I'm going to end this business"
no said grimly. "1'm going for'ard.
You take this gun, and when
sing out, open up with it -"
"But you can't do anything
alone" protested the officer.
"There's = man on watch at the
end of the house. l can see him
every once in while in the light
ming flashes -"
:You do as tell you," said the
other authoritatively. when
sing out, open up with your gun
and your bolts and Delaying pins.
I'll come aft along the port rail-"
They'll get you -"
"Then it'll be my funeral. got
you into this rannykaboo It's up
to me to get you out of it. Now,
remember, the port side, close to
the rail, and don't pug me when
] come aft"
He went down into the cabin and
Invested himself of mis- clothing,
save his under drawers. Twisting
the band of these tightly around
his waist, he slippeo a knuckle-
buster into it and sto4e quietly up
on deck. A moment later and he
had dropped over the stern into
the water.
Under the lee of the ship, he
breast-stroked quietly toward the
bows until the chains of the bob
stays scared above him from cut
water to bowsprit cap. Treading
water for a spell, he grasped
these as the black stem plunged
into the back of the great swell,
and dripping like seal, he hauled
himself up and clear of the sea.
Astride the chains he paused to
regain his breath. slipped the
brass-knuckles over his fist while
doing so.
In the gloom the 1ivid form of
the carven Aphrodite seemed to be
reckoning to HIM. but in his pres
ent temper it held no fascination
and he spat disgustedly at the
Joyously leaping figure. Then
with the nimble stealth of mon.
key he began to make his journey
over the bows.
Mr.. Mooney was ensconced in
the carpenters r0om communing
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

Under Monica's arm was a box
~ of candy. Upon her breast were
pinned four orchids-two lavender
ones and two white ones.
Ted Piper carried e great armful
of the newest magazines. Monica
never read anything. but she liked
to look at the pictures.
"Well, old Swectie Poachesg' she
cried, giving Bobbie a kiss that
smelled of the fresh air and of
gardenia perfume and OF stale
cigarettes. Il didn't think you'd
be here as soon as this. You know
Ted, don't your"
Bobbie smiled at the blond
sleepy-eyed Piper. i've met Mr..
Piper several times" she said.
Yes, and you used to call me
Ted too" he came back at her
in his pleasant friendly way.
Monica tells me you're going to
see her through her trouble with
Mrs. Schultz. There's been some
misunderstanding. hasn't there?"
Bobbie couldn't say YES" She
knew that Lottie Schultz had not
misunderstood anything about
her husbands affair with Monica.
The trouble was that she had
seen through it too clearly-had
understood It too well!
Moreover, she knew that
Monica had pulled the wool over
Ted Piper's eyes. She probably
had trumpet up some story about
having quiet friendship with
Roy Schultz and nothing more.
Good Luck
That he. believed in her was
plain. He kissed her tenderly,
right there before Bobbie and
wished her good luck"
He wanted to come along with
me to see Lottie Schultz" Monica
giggled as soon as she and Bobbie
were out of the flat, where he
was going to wait for them. But
/ thought we'd better go alone.
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

with pleasant thoughts. Lucille,
in negligee, lounged in the car.
penter's bunk. An oil lamp
burned dimly on the bulkhead,
shedding but faint radiance in the
small apartment. The door was
partly open and through it
weaved the fumes from the Sec
ond mates pipe.
%" wind.bag, bluff,
my dear" the officer was saying.
Some of these shippers build up
reputation upon nothing, This
fellow is some sort of a Bluenose
with a college education who has
slipped up on the profession he
was intended for and has gone
seafaring. He'll knock under to-
morrow. hold the heavy end
of the stick"
At Ease
He grinned and leaned back on
the camp-stool. raising his feet
to the edge of the small table,
putting contentedly at his pipe.
On his little finger cleaned one
of Lucille's diamonds and he kept
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

of q straight backed chair in the
cool dim library, where every inch
of wall space was covered with
book-shelves.
Bobbie sank down on q stool
near her, and Lottie faced them
both on the wide blue sofa across
the room.
She looked as If she had been
crying, and her face was almost
the color of the cream-colored
linen dress she wore. She folded
her long slender hands on her
knees and looked expectantly at
Monica.
''Yes?" she asked quietly. "You
wanted to speak to me?"
Monica gulped and nodded.
Then all at once she was herself
again. Her bold brassy self.
She flung up her head, opened
her painted mouth and began:
Yes, ! did want to speak to
you about that husband OF yours!
/ hear you've got fool idea in
your head that I've stolen him
away from you. Well, I haven't.
/ don't want him and never did
want him. AS far as I can see,
he was just sick of his home and
his family and wanted a little
cheerfulness and q wild time. So
he hung himself on mel!
She stopped and waited as If
she expected Lottie to fight back,
or at least to say something.
But Lottie sat perfectly silent,
her dark eyes wide and shadowy
in the shadowy room.
eff ] hadn't taken pity on him,
some other girl would have!''
Monica rushed on after a minute
or so. "a man can't run around
Hollywood looking for excitement
without finding sonnet You'd bet
ter be glad that he didn't take
up with some drug store blond
who'd have hung on to him like
q leech-one Of these brass chick
ems that run around Hollywood!
AS soon as I found out that
you were worried about him and
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

trip, my bullies,' he growled,
menacingly. I'll have you grind
ing crowbars into sail-needles. No
rest for the wicked. my sons.
Sunday work and night work
from now on. And, as you've
had a lazy day of 1t. all hands
will turn to now and holystone
the decks. Get to it, you scum!"
And when their master went
below to towel his dripping body
and clothe himself. the beaten
wretches were down on their
drenched deck scrubbing the
stones, while their bosses stood
over them. squirting their efforts
with threats and oaths.
Ugly Word
Clothed and dry. the wet band.
age still sewn about his head,
Campbell applied himself to the
brandy bottle and lit up q cigar.
Resistance quelled, he slipped into
an ugly mood which the liquor
seemed to stimulate. His pride,
his tremendous ego, was insulted
and imagination lashed him into
a suppressed fury. His weak
nesses had been paraded before
the whole ships company, Lucille
had duped him, made him the
joke OF his shipboard world and
the scum had gibed him about 1t.
He writhed as he thought Of how
he had talked, poured out the
very soul of him, raved over the
creature who all the while played
a part. playing him for q fool.
1.-THE treacherous cat" he growled.
pacing the floor in rapid strides.
Loving -" and all the time
planning to shunt me out Of her
way with a slug Of deadly
poison"
And there was Mary Philips
she whom he had picked up as
a fallen sister. a creature to play
with. a personality with which to
probe and amuse himself. Yes!
Mary would have some cause for
merriment now in his antics in
the bursting of his bubble of
concelt! And he had brought her
aboard to witness his discount
ture.
Then there was French and
Crosby-old Shipmates. How they
would talk among themselves!
He fancied he saw their grin
ming faces! And last of all, but
not least. there was Lucille her.
self. He dare not pursue the
thought any further. lest retro
spection overwhelm him and ex.
cite a fury that he could not
control.
He remained below a long time,
brooding, smoking endless cigars,
He had breakfast in the main
cabin at seven o'clock and ate the
meal alone. Mary served and
waited upon him, but he never
gave her a glance. ''Mr. Crosby
would like to speak with you, sir,"
She placed another cup of coffee
before him and addressed him
quietly. 1t suddenly struck him
then that she knew Crosby, and
for the moment ne wondered
how she felt about being ship
mates with a townsman. But a
glance at her face showed the
same impassive calm. the same
clear grey eyes. the respectful
yet dignified demeanor.
Go BE Continued MondAyI
The Washington times., 1927-06-25
MIKE MADE HIMSELF USEFUL

81 did come. Why weren't you
there?"
oh. Michael, we waited the
whole day."
Where were you waiting,
Roen? Twas all l needed to
know. For you let me go away
and never told me where you
lived. and 1 mad to go like a
peddler ringing bells and asking:
Is Miss Roen Ross living here?'
A Funny Picture
He drew a ridiculous picture of
himself going up and down the
steps of all the houses in Central
Park West, inquiring for the
Ross family. giving up only when
he'd canvassed every house across
from the park. And on Tuesday
he'd gone to her office. But the
address in the directory sent him
to d deserted warehouse in Beck.
man Street. What a forlorn fell
low he was. standing there Just
before O'Clock. with such a
yearning to see her-only to
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

Monica began again when Lottie
stopped her with lifted hand.
Lover" she said, and the soft
spoken word seemed to fall from
her lips into the dim hush of the
room like q star falling into dark
ness. Lover"
She got up. eff you've said
everything you wanted to say,
wouldn't you like to go?" she
asked in that same soft slow way,
and Bobbie and Monica got up.
Somehow they got out of the
beautiful quiet house, and out to
the car.
1t was a new car, and it was
painted bright yellow and green. 1t
bore great gilt monogram, IN.
NJ" upon its side, and it looked
fearfully out of place and vulgar
in Lottie's cool. green garden.
wait for me minute" Bobbie
said as she was climbing into 1t.
''I'n be back in no time. Roy gave
me q message for Lottie yesterday,
and I forgot to deliver it,"
Monica turned upon her a look
on concerted fury. "You go
back into that DANES house, and
my names Walker!' she snapped.
"She as good as kicked US both
out Of itp'
But Bobbie went on, and as she
reached the porch Monica started
the car and tore down the hill with
a roar end a flash Of yellow paint
and new nickel.
Lottie came to the door in an
swer to Boobies ring.
Didn't you go?' she asked. sur
prised.
mo, 1 want to talk to you for
jiffy."
Lottie pushed open the screen
door with a slender hand. and came
outside. Side by side. she and Bob
bic sat down on the stone steps.
Go Do Continued Monday
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

me, told him to go hang himself
out on a limb" she added.
Bobbie knew that this was a
brazen lie. Monica never had
told Roy Schultz or any other
man to Ego hang himself out on
a limb" Her system was to hang
on to them until she had got
everything from them that she
thought she could get from them
money, jewelry, flowers, parts
in motion picture. She was
highway robber, and she cleaned
them out.
Besides" she said coyIy. rails.
ing baby-blue eyes to Lottie's
stony face, I'm engaged to
marry another man. See?'
She held up her small hand,
and Ted Piper's great diamond
blinked out into the dimness like
a tigers eye.
1--WE sent a notice Of my en-
to all the papers," she announced
in her soft coarse voice, land by
the time you get ready to sue
your husband for divorce, I'll be
on my way to Europe on my
honeymoon"
Bobbie gasped at the boldness
of the lie she was telling. Going
to Europe on her honeymoon
with Ted Piper! Why, it was
absurd. She wasn't even going
to marry Ted Piper; had no in
tention OF marrying Ted Piper.
81 wonder il Lottie believes
her." thought Bobbie.
But Lottie showed nothing with
her face that was not quite a
poker-face, but more q pale and
motionless mask. Her lips did not
move, nor her steadfast eyes. Her
delicate pointed fingers claSped
and unclasped themselves on her
lap. She said nothing-just waited.
1T would just upset Mr.. Piper
something terrible IL he-if you
should accuse me Of-of having q
love affair with your husband"
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

way my father did. And il some
one jooyus like him comes to me,
if only for day, a month, .
year, will go singing down
whole centuriesr'
She would lose herself in this
dream, coming back suddenly to
Dearie's voice: You are a prize,
Roen. You must remember this:
You've not had the things I
could wish for you, but feel
life must repay you. Somewhere
there is the gift you deserve.
You must expect it, Roen.
You must wait for it."
Would Dearie look on Michael
as this gift?
She wouldn't think Of him at all.
of course! He was just a gay
friend dropping in for a visit. Like
Teddy Norris.
Nor should Dearie learn that to
Roen he was the gift richer and
sweeter and far more thrilling
than the most rapturous dream.
tTO be Continued Monday
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

So" thought Roen, what will be.
come Of me?"
And Michael: LET her not
blush again! All, If she keeps her
lips parted like that-the dear
angel"
They rode home together. He
told her all his adventures at col.
lege, and Of his terrific loneliness.
How he wished she were a coed.
Then the five years would fly
because each day they would see
each other.
There are wondrous hills and
wondrous trees in New Haven,
Roen, and sunsets that are
poems. the like of which no one
may ever write"
Ill At Ease.
But II you spent your day
reading them, Michael, you'd
have no time left for study"
TITS not time lost that we give
to living, Room I've much to
say on this. Are you asking
me home to dinner?''
The Washington times., 1927-06-25
''MICHAEL-KISS ME-"

Why, you seem to be coming"
said she in a light, airy voice,
yet suddenly nervous. AS they
neared the house she began to
wonder what Dearie would say.
She felt her throat tighten I'm.
comfortably.
Yet, why? Dearie wanted her
to be happy. She longed and
prayed that rich, beautiful things
would be given to Roen.
Often in the evenings Roen sat
on the floor before the fire read
ing to her mother. Dearie's light,
delicate fingers would brush
Rooms hair. She would ask in
that wistful, haunting voice of
hers: What will life bring you,
my blessed girl? What do you
want from it?"
Roen laughed and evaded.
How do I known But all the
while her heart shouted: ST want
LOVE! l want to fling myself
out in a great, boundIess love, the
The Washington times., 1927-06-25
NO1U Go On With The Story

lily on their pipes-not half as
Indifferent as they pretended.
In this light-hearted. immature
throng she saw Michael. his fine.
gay profile nobler than any,
stronger than many. A man
among boys-a man who knew
his oN n heart and came of
stead lst race that loved early
and loved long. But always the
one girl.
Something happened" she told
herself riding home on a crest
come t,night"
Monday passed and Tuesday.
Tuesday night, after her mother
slept, Roen came and stood at
her open door. Dearie's hand
was across her face. She often
cried in her sleep. Roen re.
scented this. She had thought
That's weak" Now she wished
to go in and touch her mothers
hand. She wished to beg her
pardon. Dearie had a right to
weep.
Wednesday, afternoon she heard
Mr.. Burton speaking at the
phone. Miss Ross working
here"
Rooms fingers grew taut over
the keys. After a pause Mr.. Bur-
ton put up the receiver.
There was a party inquiring
about you," he told Roen.
"Who?''
st don't know. AS soon as I
answered they hung up"
She felt her neck under the
high, soft stock flaming and the
burning tide creeping up her
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

cried throatily. I'll finish this
game now AIR
The words were stifled on his
lips as a herculean figure, naked
to the waist and cleaning wet
In the lamps feeble glow, APP
peared like an apparition in the
small room. A swinging hand
knocked the light out while
another closed on the second
mates windpipe. closing his ut
terance. There came a success
sion OF dull thumps in the dark.
a strangled cry, and, ere the
woman could muster strength
for a scream. the door was
wide open and framing naught
but the outer blackness. Mooney
had vanished as though plucked
from her presence by the snatch
of giants hand. Then Luz
ellie regained her wits and voice,
and the night resounded with
her shrieks,
Aft at the poop rail the watch
ers were electrified into action
by the cries and screams. A
The Washington times., 1927-06-25

medley OF shouts followed, the
roaring Of a man: "Dere he ISIS!
Dere he iss!' and Mr.. French
raised his gun to his shoulder,
cooking the hammer.
By the port main.rigging a white
shape was staggering aft and
to the straining ears of the loyal
lists came Anson's bawling: LET
'em have it, Mister! Let 'em
have it!' And the mates gun
barked, discharging flame and
birdshot into the astonished rab-
BILE racing out of the forecastIe.
Coincident with the report of
the gun came a binding flash
OF lightning and an ear-splitting
clap of thunder. Then followed
the rain, a deluge, streaming
down from the sullen skies,
drumming on the decks, swash-
ing noisily in the waterways.
The Order
'The psychological moment"
The mate. startled by the voice,
turned nervously around. Anson.