The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1928-04-20
The Tie That
Tangled
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BY DUFoRD JENNIE
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tCopyright.)

hdii. A StfOuS arm FeScueu Her Us
she staggered, and she looked up into
steel-gray eyes that were apologetic.
Il beg your pardon" he said earn
estly. Il should look where | am go
ing"
To her surprise, her thoughts went
back often to the man she had met,
as she kept busy with her duties at
the House.
The next day, fate brought them
together in ore of the conference
rooms, and she knew who he was-at
least, he was introduced as Mac"
Congdon.
A little bothered by the strange ap-
peal he had for her, she ventured to
ask about him. The assistant who
heard her request laughed
He Is a handsome brute, but be-
ware, my dear. He is a member of
Red Stanger's gang. We try to keep
in with them, you know, for they are
power in this section. Be nice to
him. II you can help to keep him as
a friend, you will help all of u.s." the
assistant advised her. "He seems to
be interested in you''
Il don't know whether he Is or not,
but | swear | seem to be interested In
him, even though | don't want to be-"
Madeline answered.
He proved to be interested, for later
on he halted her in one of the rooms
and asked her to go to dance with
him. Liking for bit of adventure
led her to accept.
"Durn 1t. / really like the chap"
, Madeline told herself. "Wouldn't 1t
be pretty thlng-for me to fall In
love with gunman. Better watch
your step, little sister"
To her surprise she had a happy
time with him. Except for the type
of girls she met at the dance-and If
you accepted their point of view, they
were like other girls-and a certain
hardness about the men, she found
little that was different from other
dances she had attended Congdon
was kind and thoughtful, and his
mates were nice to her. 'Red" Stan
ger, himself, sleek and well-groomed
danced with her. giving her quite a
thrill as she remembered whose arms
were about her.
When Congdon bade her good night
she was little fearful of what de-
mand he might make upon her, but
his brief goodnight was courteous.
Another phase of the unusual ex-
perience came shortly. She was sent
on an emergency call to one of the
worst holes of the section, but she
had no trouble; and, now and then.
| similar errands were given her-and
| still no trouble. Then she discovered
| the reason. Jostled roughly in hall
| by man OF group, voice said;
Leave her alone She's Mac
| CongdOn's girl 7!
So that was the reason she could
| go and come, and her superior in the
| House realized it evidently. The
| thought gave her quick sense of
| pride and of safety.
"'"Mac" Congdon's girl'-Well |
! guess l will be for a while!" she de.
| cided.
He came often to the House, and
now and then he helped her with her
work; and in spite of her warnings to
| herself she began to look forward to
seeing him. The others at the House
| We're too busy to pay much attention,
| but the assistant also warned her
Careful, Dark Eyes Mac is pretty
| nj fa In,
II guess / can handle an ornery
| gunman," Madeline answered smiling
"As long as he's an asset, I'll keep
him tied to my apron!'
/ Her plans went awry suddenly.
/ They were returning from gay and
happy affair rather late, and as they
entered the silent and deserted lobby
OF the House she stumbled at the en-
| trance and he caught her.
| She was conscious of his arms
| Tightening about her with amazing
| strength his face above hers. then
| the shock Of his lips upon hers. A
| bit daZed by the suddenness and
sureness of his act, she lay in his
| arms, curious sense of satisfaction
breaking crafty through her mind.
Then she remembered and shook
herself free. She stared at him, her
lips still hot with his kiss. Tall and
| quiet he stood In the dim light, but
his face was gentle, and, someway.
her swift anger softened.
| Mac" she said somewhat breath
lessly, "this will never do" His face
| showed again its quickness to re-
sponse by looking bit strained-"I
mean-you and 1--we mustn't let this
60 on"
"You mean-you don't care even q
little bit for mep'
| She paused "You dow her heart
shouted at her, "you know you do I"
"Yes-I do-but you-a-gunman In
Red"
He started-then chuckled "Do
you mean to say no one I'm authority
has tipped you off who l ann" Her
face was answer enough. "Wel, nv
dear, l don't blame you. am down
here on the quiet making first-h hand
| study of crime conditions; I'm on the
staff of the state penal bureau. / sun
! posed you knew and were merely
/ playing the game with me. You were
mighty nice to me even as a gunman !:
don't you suppose you could be nicer
to me as plain John Clarke he asked
gently.
i She wayered moment, then said
brayely: VI could try-John