Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-12

READ THIS FIRST:
AcklGnd Center, a little old town
in New England, is proud of its
beauty and traditions. But the mod
Crn world crowds in on its peace and
quiet. Finally a notorious roadhouse,
falkland, is opened BY a gang Of
hootleggers. Liquor flows. Girls of
the town are lured there. The editor
90 the Weekly Age" is murdered for
his editorial attacks. His brother,
Homer Pew. takes up the fight.
Homer IL Joined by Stella Bagot, one
If the hometown girls, who has
made good as a writer in New York.
Stella comes to write a story. and re-
mains to fight LAKELAND. Homer is
beaten up in a mysterious midnight
attack. Stella takes charge Of the
paper and writes sizzling editorials.
She also tries to trace n telephone
call, believing il to come from the
murderers. Stella finds her little
sister. Martha, has been out on q
lark to LAKELAND, and has been drink
ing. She gives her a lecture and
Martha complains that she il kept az
rome while Stella has been allowed
Il 20 to college and later take up her
own life in New York. Stella ~retircs
&c her room, and leaves a note pinned
or her door telling her mother 20
awaken her early the next morning.
Stella has made an appointment
q phone Ernie Hallam, a New York
admirer. who Is staying in Boston.
tNOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER 20
Stella considered this bit of in
formation rs she drove down to the
center. She must call Ernie up, of
course. That was what she was 20
ing down for. But she didn't yet
know what she was going to say to
kim. So she stopped ut the Age
office. Miss Curry and Ashbury were
there. They reported that Homer
vas better. and would be about BY
Monday. The Boston papers were
full of the attack and the escape
If the thugs. She glanced through
al OF il. Then for a time made a
%pretense of writing notes, but her
mind wasn't on il. Finally she went
into Breckeridge's and called up the
Touraine. She had to wait a long
time while they PACED him about the
! otel. II was hot in the booth, and
she felt tired and confused. Shed
have to brace up. Meet the situa-
ton. Finally she heard his voice,
and spoke with nervous quickness.
Explained how her mother had failed
to waken her. Adding: But. Ernie.
you simply mustn't call the house,
"Oh. Stella said he, why not be
honest with them"
I'm afraid you don't quite under
stand the difficulties. Ernie
Il know, but my word Here
am, marooned in a dead town, and
not even able to get in touch with
you"
We're in touch now. Ernie This
wasn't very satisfactory. Shed have
10 say more. I'm a wreck, Ernie.
! went through all that dreadful
business last night
But how about US? Am / not
tc sec you?"
"Of course. Don't be silly" All
this vas getting nowhere. "Of
course we're goiny to see each 9TH
e."
"Well when? :"
If she could only think through
tits puzzlel She couldn't leave him
indefinitely cooling his heels in Bos-
rcn. Rather desperately she came
cut with: How about this evening.
For a little while. I've simply got
to get rested up. But we could drive
somewhere for dinner"
well" He was cross. Really,
she couldn't blame him. "Well,
suppose that's something. I'll drive
out and pick you up"
"No. Wait a minutei Don't come
TO Ackland. Let me think !" "A
Lold new idea was shaping. This was
more like it. She'd simply have to
be active. Listen, Erniel You can
help me. ] want TO 90 To a particu-
lar place near here. Drive out 10
Coventry. That's the next town. Ill
take the bus over. I'll be at the rail
way station there by six-thirty."
THAT Is the best you can do for
ne, Stellar"
I'm afraid so. Today. that is
You don't know how busy / am
Things are in a whirl here"
1T sounds rather sbsurdly furtive
! gather that the old atmosphere
ought you up child. Cowed YOU
1T hasn't. Ernie. I'LL explain
Explain what7
Well" . long silsncs i,