The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-25

ca d COLlpIGIS lack Oh the DTlllld0G
makeup that Martha Manning af-
fected to be remarkably well dis
guised."
The dark-fringed eyelids fiuttered,
opened wide at last to reveal a pair
Of great, tragic brown eyes that
were content to rest for a moment
upon the sweetness and beauty of
Ruth Testers face.
Then partial comprehension came
for those tragic eyes became filled
with terror, rolled wildly from one
face to another in the circle that
hemmed her in.
But with the comprehension came
cunning, for it was not Martha
Manning's lovely throaty contralto
that spoke, but the flat, monoton-.
Gus, tinid voice of Lefty filler.
Tin sorry. I must have faint
ed. II haven't been very we'll late
ly. The-bIack pigeon startled me,
fluttering up just as 1 came into the
room. But you wanted to see
me, sir?"
And Martha Manning, who
thought she was still 2tty Miller to
Detective Sergeant NIcNIann and all
those others looking at her so COM
paSsionately, struggled to rise.
Between them, Ruth and Jack
Hayward assisted the thin, calico
clad figure to comfortable position
in one of the chairs about the big
table in the center of the outer
office.
Feeling better? How about lit
tie more of the whiSky?" McNIann
asked gruffly, but not unkindly,
when he had seated himself opposite
the erstWhile scrubWoman. :.
Lefty Miller" shock her head and
lifted one of those betraying hands
to her hair. When her weakly
trembling fingers encountered the
smooth bands Of her own dark hair,
instead Of the lank strands of gray
which they expected, her eyes went
blank for moment, then widened
and widened until they we're enor-
nous with terrified comprehension,
as their gaze chung to the detectives
face.
DUT not even that ard-boiled
ID hird-degree artist could long
endure the ordeal of meeting those
eyes.
His own dropped, and with what
Ruth Lester knew was real kindness,
he answered the question which
Martha Manning's terrible eyes we're
asking by slowly pulling the gray
wig from his pocket and laying it
on the table before the woman.
"So-you know?" The ashen lips
hardly stirred with the whisper.
McNTann cleared his throat loud
ly: Ruth's hand wavered out, was
taken in a strong grip by Jack Hay
wards. Slowly, portentously, the
detective spoke:
Martha Manning, arrest you
for the murder of Henry P. Dor.
den, and it is my duty to warn you
that anything you say may be used
against you'll"
AS those words were being spo-
ken, Martha Manning's thin body
Strengthened slowly, stiffened
against the chair back, but before
the detective had completed his Of
fetal warning to his prisoner, her
breast rose high on a great breath
of what Ruth was oddly sure was
relief.
MAY I ask-how?" Martha Man
ming spoke then, almost steadily, in
the lovely contralto voice which had
been described SO many times dur
ing the investigation.
''Miss Lester McMann began,
and hesitated.
"I thought So" The pale lips al
most smiled, but without malice.
"She was the only one I feared
because she was fighting for the
man she loves. :. And they say
love is blind. 1t may be
sometimes" and the tragic eyes
glanced toward the spot where
Harry Borden had fallen and died.
McMann shifted in his chair,
either embarrassed or impatient. eff
you'd like to make confession.
Miss Manning-though I don't mind
telling you the case is pretty COM
plete without it'll take you now
to the distric attorneys office. Cher
wise-remand you to jail-prelinli-
nary hearing-await action of the
grand jury"
1.-THE district attorneys Officer"
The lovely voice quivered with dis
may, and the great eyes sought
Ruth's, appealingly. I'm willing to
make a full confession-oh, not lust
willing!
IT want to tell-for the peace of
my soul, but can't I-make my
statement here? Miss Lester is an
expert stenographer. I want it to be
over quickly, among my friends"
AnG those tragic eyes flashed a
glance of gratitude and affection to-
ward Jack Hayward, who stood be-
side her, his arm about Ruth
Testers shoulders.
Well, if you won't try to re-
pudiate it later" McNIann con-
ceded.
"I shall not repudiate anything I
tell you now, for it will be the
whole TRUTH" Martha Manning as
sured him quietly. Buff you
don't mind, I'd rather-this girl"
and her eyes licked their first
malice at Rita Dubois.
n
THE dancer sprang to her feet.
l. 20. K. with me, Miss Manning!
But say, don't get any hate on me!
I didn't want your man! +. How
about it, Big Boy?" and she whirled
excitedly toward the detective.
Miss Dubois had nothing to do
with Harry's-death," Miss Man