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

READ This flkSa.
Ackland Center, a little old town
in New England, IL proud Of its
beauty and traditions. But the mod
Crn world crowds in on its peace and
quiet. Finally a notorious roadhouse.
LAKELAND. is opened by a gang of
hootleggers. Liquor flows. Girls of
the town are Iurcd there. The editor
his editorial attacks. His brother,
Homer Pew. takes up the fight.
Homer is joined by Stella Bagot, one
Il 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 a telephone
call. believing il to come from the
murderers. Stella finds her little
sister. Martha. has been out on a
lark to LAKELAND, and has been drink
ing. She gives her a lecture and
Martha complains that she is kept at
RENE while Stella has been allowed
T. 90 to college and later take up her
own life in New York. Stella ~retires
Il her room, and leaves a note pinned
or her door telling her mother TO
awaken her early the next morning.
Stella has made an appointment
q phone Ernie Hallam. a New York
admirer. who is staying in Boston.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY)
CHAPTER 20
Stella considered this bit Of in
formation as she drove down to the
center. She must call Ernie up, of
course. That was what she was 60
ing down for. But she didn't yet
brow what she was going to say 70
him. So she stopped at the Age
office. Miss Curry and Ashbury we're
there. They reported that Homer
vas better. and would be about BY
Monday. The Boston papers were
full Of the attack and the escape
III the thugs. She glanced through
I'll 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 70 wait a long
time while they PACED him about the
otel. Ii was hot in the booth. and
she felt tired and confused. She'd
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 70 get in touch with
YOU"
We're in touch now, Ernie" This
wasn't very satisfactory. She'd have
- say more. I'm a wreck, Ernie.
! went through all that dreadful
business last night"
But how about US? Am | not
&c see you7"
"0f course. Don't be silly" All
this was getting nowhere. "0f
course we're goiny 70 see each 9TH
e."
We'll when"
IL she could only think through
AAtS FIAAtNs Gnt GV0Aun I AGNNG MINI
indefinitely cooling his heels in Bos-
ten. Rather desperately she came
cut with: How about this evening.
For a little while. I've simply got
70 get rested up. But we could drive
somewhere for dinner"
We'll" 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
70 Ackland. Let me think y" "A
3old new idea was shaping. This was
more like il. Shed simply have to
be active. Listen, Erniel You can
help me. | want to 20 10 a particu-
lar place near here. Drive out to
Coventry. That's the next town. I'll
take the bus over. I'll be mt the rail.
way station there by six-thirty."
THAT is the best you can do 70,
ne. S~tella?"
I'm afraid 80. Today. that Is.
You don't know how busy | am.
Things are in a whirl here"
1T sounds rather ahsurdly furtive
gather that the old atmosphere
caught you UP child. Cowed YOU
lit hasn't. Erniel Ill explain
Explain whatg
Well" a long silenrs