Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29

her husband, owed nothing to her
clothes for her fresh, young prettiness. Her
hat she described as a tack and the much
sponged dress she wore had seen better days.
1t had two advantages though. 1t was cool
for the unseasonably warm day and it gave
her the look of healthily starved working
girl. That was on the cards.
The discussion had arisen during breakfast,
when she was secretly admiring her handsome
Hector. Shed spurted out something about a
detective having nothing but romance, and a
housewife naught but dusty rugs.
Romance? A lot of my work is duller than
peeling potatoes" Hector had said rather Bit
tery. "A detectives got to have something
women don't" Sarcastically Doll had men,
toned a mustache, but his answer was harder
than that. "I mean psychic equilibrium and
intuitive powers" That was a hard combina-
ton.
Dolls assertion that she had intuitive powers
anyhow brought him to a point where he adj
mitted, Sometimes you'll find a women who
combines those two qualities. We've got Mrs.
Harmsworth in our Office. She's eccentric, but
she's disciplined"
And pretty?" Walking down Park avenue,
Doll remembered Hec's expression when she
asked that He hadn't seemed to hear but lee
.tured on. shes got the most valuable trait
Of all. She's does as she's told"
oh This had Smitten Doll and she COM
planned, "Hec, If you don't think do as I'm
told, try me- Give me some mean, silly job"
She was delighted when he took her seriously
i've got something thatm change your mind
about romance in the detective world. Listen:
The richest women In town 60 to TanquayS
restaurant for lunch. And some one has been
picking pockets in the ladies' cloak room there.
We want to plant q detective, just to watch.
Is that romantic?"
"Fine!" She pretended to enthuse but was
stricken down by Hec'S final instructions,
RILEY will meet you at Tanquays. Twelve
thirty. And remember one thing, Doll Do as
you're told"
"Yere ON time, Mrs stoat" Riley, Cheevers
best man at restaurant work, met her at Tan
quays.
tits small job, MRS. Stoat. Mrs. Stein,
what manages the check room, she'll give We
uniform and show We the ropes. Keep yer eye
on the coat racks. That's where's the monkey
business is goin' on. If ye see anythin'. say
nothin'. At o'clock . lady from the otnceu
show up with orders
"A Mrs HarmSworth?"
"Ah. Ye know her?"
mo-" coldly Then, because the Irish eyes
were pranking. lis she pretty Mr. Riiey?"
Handsome Mrs. Stoat Slender little woman
and stylish. Blond. Wearin' black Yen
recognize her by q light brown hat, and what
she does. Shell be carrying coat over er
arm. She'll wander by the desk once, slow,
then go over to that corner and sit down. Wait
till she catches yer eye, then go up to her and
say DO We want 1t checked?' That's the sign"
DEHnND the check room counter, pretending
ed over her companions, Clara and EStelle;
they were very like other check room girls But
Estelle had greenish eyes and pert tongue
She referred to Mrs. Stein Sneaking Susie
Before the rush hour began and fashionable
women were keeping the counter busy, Doll de-
cided that Estelle was probably guilty.
Smartly gowned ladies gathered in knots
goSsiping Of polo. 1t seemed that some Argen-
tine champions were playing some American
champions. The ladies were excited about It,
AS the crowd thinned, Doll began to be bored
to watch the hand Of q little French clock over
the mantel. Then the lounge was empty. Ding
ding went the French clock. Him." sighed
Doll, this Mrs. HarmswOrth isn't any prompter
than anybody else" And the thought seemed
to conjure her out of thin air. she must have
come in through side door, for Doll had been
watching the main entrance Slim and grace
full. small woman, wearing a black gown
and a little golden toque she conspicuous
for her blondneSs; she walked slowly, almost
hesitantly, past the counter.
She went half way across the room, hest
tated, sat down. To Doll, staring morbidly
Mrs Harmsworth was somehow tragic, her eyes
lowered as IL her mind were occupied with an
insoluble problem. Psychic equilibrium per-
hapS.
do as you're told" Hector's advice seemed
to ring in Dolls ears she went across TO Mrs
Harmsworth and pointed to the Russian sable
wrap which lay across the woman's arm.
Want 1t checked?" she said softly.
Would you take care of it for me?" She
handed the coat to Doll
Certainly, those are orders"
The woman smiled; and now her face showed
nothing but light prettiness. How long viii
you be on duty?"
Until I'm ordered away, I suppose" In
sudden admiration Doll blurted, I've heard so
much about you, Mrs. Harmsworth, and ought
to be proud tO-tO-"