The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-08-10

I did think you'd call me.
'.Well, = said Linda, II didn't
want to tell you what happened
over the phone, and thought I'd
send for you as soon as I'd bad
little nap. I'm so terribly tired,
Tom. =
He IOOKej III the blue shadows
under her eyes and 1T the pallor
of hands and face.
No wonder, Beautiful. Then,
IN sudden anger. Damn that cur
Hoskins IL he'd let you alone
you'd have told the whole story
before 1t came to this or you'd
never have gone to the party, in
the first place. Why did Won
trust him that much, Linda--to
so out with him, after all that's
happened?
II didn't trust him, she said
But was feeling very low thta
night and saw you out with
DuIcy. And wanted excitement.
Well ruefully-.I got 1t.
III tell the cOck-eyed world,
said Tom. He was lingering the
crumpIed newspaper.
What's THAR" the girl asked
him suddenly, reaching for ii.
He took II away from her. Tell
me. Linda. have you got q purple
dress with flowers on ii NJ
CHAPTER SIS
purple dress2 why, i
have violet one. with cerise and
rose, Linda answered In re-
Spouse to Toms question.
Has It got flowers al over the
skirt7' asked Tom sharply.
Linda stared at him. !. Why
yes, It has. But what do you
mean.
He flung the paper down. open.
on this table
GIRL SUSPECT DISMISSED. &
said ! headline. Pearl Hannegan
waivers in classification OF Miss
Linda WaIdron. Officers search
ing for woman in purple dress.
Linda caught at his arm. II
cant read any more. You tell me
what 1t says.
The boy pulled her down beside
him on the couch. Red Winter
of the journalism school stumbled
into the story at the courthouse
today. and beat the deadIine with
ii. The county officials beat the
air when they found out the
Misso,Irian knew 1t. The whole
thing was to be kept quiet tin
they found the purple dress.
But what is the whole thing,
Tom ~ she was beating on his
arm with her clenched fist.
"Just this. The Hennegan
woman had stuck to her story that
1t was you she saw with Damoras.
They kept her at the courthouse,
to Identify you when you came.
But that young detective that just
came down to join the police de-
partnent last month insisted that
Hannegan might be wrong. He
was dead set on proving his supe.
rior knowledge Of police methods.
And 30 he rugged up a bunch
OF pictures OF blondes in the uni
versity yours included. They got
the pictures from the editor OF
Sugar and Spice, which had that
big layout In last months issue
entitled, Gentlemen Prefer EN-
Well, he set up all these pic
lures In a row and asked the Han
negan woman which ~Was the girl
she saw with Damoras. She stood
looking at them for minute and
then put her finger on the picture
Of Julia Boyd who happens to be
president Of the y. M. G. A. cab
met, Phi Beta Kappa and senior
hQFiorwoman. She wouldn't touch
a TINT with rubber gloves, and az
for going to a TINT blowout
she'd as soon be caught dancing
the hootchy -kootchy.
Well. the young city detective
was delighted. OF course, but
everybody else was ore-especialiy
Pearl. She threw a fit Of hys-
terics when they told her shed
guessed wrong. and ="
And 1t was just about then
that they sent me away inter-
rnpted Linda. II heard Pearl
swearing in the next room"
Tom nodded. and sat perched
on the edge of the divan, nugging
his knees. Now we've got to
cover our tracks. because when
Pearl found she'd made mistake,
she said. Well, anyhow. it was
that girl / saw at the show last
purple dress with a lot OF small
flowers sewed all over the skirt.
"Tf Red Winter hadn't sprung
the story In the paper, we'd never
have been warned to get rid or
your purple dress. BY the way.
you had 1t on that night, I sup
pose?''
Linda wrnng her hands. YES.
AAN
In me I've done everything pos
sible to throw suspicion on me. .
Dent agonizs," commanded
Tom. Think! Does any one
know you have that dress?
Where have you worn it,"
I've only worn 1t that once,
think any one has seen It'll except
and none OF them knew me-
Tom jumped off the couch
Fine. You run upstairs and wrap
it up and bring 1t to me.
have a bunch they'll search your
room at the first opportunity. III
take the, dress home and pack II
away In my tFunk--or perhaps de
stroy ii in the furnace. 1T simply
won 40 Tor tHem ever TO Ilne
it in your possession and Ger
family they'll never search frat
house for IT."
Linda looked cross. IT won'i
have IL destroyed. It's a master
piece-tnat dress"
'AH right. But you can nevel
wear 1t I'm this town again
Beautiful. Everybody in Marbur,
will be on the lookout for i
from now on. y
Linda walked toward the door
II suppose You're right. Ger
| tainly don't want to have an.