davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1929-02-09
Thrilling Mystery Story of L Love and Danger the Air Mai
Dick Has Sky>Writing Idea
to Raise Funds to Save
Her Father From
Fate
Fate

he get money for her? His people
they had none to spare, or at
least no such amount as she now
needed. Where else? How else?
There came into his mind the
thought that inventions had often
produced sizeable fortunes. Why
couldn't he invent something? All
at once he remembered something
that lain at the back of Lis mind
for months, something he had
talked about to Lawson one day.
That idea of phosphorescent sky
writing! And Lawson-who was
shrewd and critical and skeptical--
had said it was good.
He knitted his brows f'ercely
and remembered. The next morn
ing he wandered out of the work.
room. 1t was one of his two-day
resting periods. Already the field
was full of people who wished the
thrill of a fret plane ride, and of
spectators who preferred to take
their thrills vicariously.
Little Perez pushed his way
through the crowd, furious at this
desecration of the ships he loved
and feared. Dick had TO grin al
the seriousness of the line CHIEFS
face.
He found Wilson, good me-
chanic, and a quie respectful fell
low. inside the ship. He began to
talk to him. hesitantly at first,
then more and more confidently.
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

. way it bounced around. And
this, too. was without lights.
She put on speed.
Don't. Mary, not now. They'll
shoot at the tires. Let them
think you don't know. Watch a
chance and turn out; lose them in
the hills.
They drove in a tense silence.
watching the mirror. She turned
on her lights when they came to
the first village and stopped at
a filling station. thinking the
flivver would go ahead. But there
was no sign of it until they got
under way. Then it trailed them,
keeping close behind.
The road ran to the cliffs above
the west shore of the river and
there were few turns to the right:
none. indeed, which offered oppor-
tunity for throwing off the pllr.
suers. At Haverstraw they came
to a long stretch of torn-up road
and here Mary was obliged to
drive slowly lest an axle break in
the deep ruts and turn the car
over.
Now it was that the flivver dis
appeared and she began to breathe
again. They couldn't make that
stretch. Danny. They've given
it up!
mo. They turned--cut in
through the country. They'll be
waiting ahead. Mary, will YOU
get out? You and Blessing stop
somewhere; we passed a house at
the cross street. Let me take the
car and go on. I'll have it out
with them, come back for you.
Do this, Mafyeen--"
You think would! / go where
you go, Danny. Always-always
ah' That was torn from her as
they rounded a curve and the
powerful searchlight at the wind.
shield picked out what lay half
mile ahead
The road, cut like shelf in
the side of the mountain, was
narrow here, barely wide enough
for cars to pass; at the right rose
wall of rock and at the left
beyond the shelf was emptiness.
~AAiu ItiS lllNNGE tIidu- DeSn stopped
so it spread more than half over
the shelf. Figures, two of them,
waited just beyond it; even in her
panic Mary noted their leisurely
movements. They were sure now.
This was their supreme effort
and they were sure.f
Her brain registered everv de.
tail-reached for possibilities
even while she shrieked over her
shoulder, Down on the floor.
Blessing! Hold on, Danny. Now
now She was unreasonable
calm; she felt as if her real self
were standing aside watching the
girl at the wheel, directing what
she must do.
She heard the boys agonized
protest as her foot came down on
the acceselator, felt a flash of
horror as his hand lifted. 'Don't
touch me! Hang tight-now-"
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

eyes you do. Uncle Sherwood's
chuckle teased yet was vaguely
feassuring. Il refer to a certain
Mr.. Mullins who has been the
family guest these past weeks.
Our hospitality is boundless, of
course, but no longer necessary"
'But-why. you knew all the
time? And who else? Tell me.
Uncle Sherwood
mo one else. and don't be
alarmed. You understand the
policeman has recovered? A man
named Jones did the shooting.
They found his gun and the
bullet. The jury will make short
work of him."
I'm gladt' But her voice
caught; it was a minute before
she could go on. "'You see
well. it's hard explaining this
way"
The matter is closed. Bring
Mullins to my office, Mimi. Your
father-never mind, though. Bring
him in as soon as you get down
here
''Yes!
She went to Danny, quivering
with exultance, told him what
had happened. mo one will
bother you now"
He sat a long time pondering,
red-brown eyes narrowed, peer.
ing into the future. This makes
it easier. .Maryeen. I've more
to thank you for. Now / can
begin balancing one debt. What
] owe you. But"
She watched him. felt herself
drawn irresistibly. So firm he
was in the stand he had taken,
so uncertain where to start. If
she could put her arms around
him. draw his head to her heart,
tell him how much she cared,
how she wished to help!
Who'll give me a chance? I'll
not sail under false colors again.
A reformed crcok--who'd bet on
me? Doesn't sound reasonable"
A wry smile twisted at the full
lips; she sensed bitterness in the
hardening line of jaw.
Listen, Danny" She began to
n
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

They were going so and she put
on the brake. brought the pointer
back to As. mot too fast" some
thing kept whispering inside her
head Hold the road-good old
csr--hold the road"
There was a sound of tearing
metal: something seemed to grab
the wheel and jerk it with gigan-
tic strength: the touring car
bounded. swerved toward the edge
of the cliff, turned on two wheels
and came back TO &he road, en-
gine laboring Mary breatfed
"Ah-h-h!" and heard Blessing
moaning behind her; Danny was
leaning far out, looking back.
Danny! Oh. thank God! What
happened.
"Flivver's hanging over the
edge. Quick. kid!'
Shots splattered the windows.
A long, white streak appeared on
the hood; the crumpled left fender
Tapping noisily, vibrated under
the impact.
Drive. Mary! They're through
--ah, surely, they're all through
The car plunged forward and
there were no more shots.
+ =
she drove him to a small,
quiet hotel and loaned him money.
But I'll get in the bank come
morning, girleen. I've plenty
there"
mot that. dearest. Not for your
new beginning. You'll understand
this-start right"
He took the folded banknotes
without another word and stood
bare.headed at the curb to say
good night while the light struck
flame from his red hair.
Mary sent long telegram to
Daddy Bill and spent the remain
der of the evening writing him a
lO-page letter. Her aunt and
uncle were not at home and she
arose early and got away, seeing
nobody.
She had breakfast with Danny,
a clear-eyed, jaunty tall boy,
oddly excited by what was before
him.
Seems like a dream, dear. Are
you real, then. sweetheart, with
the sweet, shining eyes of you
and the warm little hands? l
dunno
Indeed I'm real! And so are
YOU and so is the love between
us. And we'll never be really
separated this long, long year
even though-well--" Her eyes
filled but she smiled.
He was leaving on the noon
train for Michigan. They had not
heard from Daddy Bill, but it
would be what he wished. Mary
knew that.
And she was going abroad.
Wander about Italy for the next
12 months with Blessing. A place
to dream-oh, a gorgeous place to
remember in and to PLAN:
And a year from today they
would meet here. He would come
for her, splendid, brave boy that
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

} tell him of Michigan. Fields of
wheat-acres and acres stretching
away and away, a golden sea
ripping in the warm sunshine.
Other fields planted with sugar
beets, green soldiers marshalled
rank on rank, a benevolent army
which once had saved the house
Of Smith when funds were low.
First the brown earth, then tiny
shoots of jade color, then the fun,
strong leaves. And the harvest
which garnered them into the fac,
tory and sent sacks or raw sugar
out in their place
The rich, deep gloom of pine
forests. F'ragrance-oh, space
like gentle, haunting poems after
a spring rain And in the winter
the winds coming from afar. from
the most distant corners of the
world. to whisper tales into their
branches. You could understand
what the winds said if you stood
quite still In the feathery snow.
What finer place than this for
a boy beginning new expe-
rience? Where would be more
happiness, more blithe joy of liv-
ing?
Sure it would be great. You
think l don't know? Like the
voice of Herself, girleen, a-calling
so. But who'd give me the
chance?
why" she laughed, "A gentle
man named Bill! He knows all
about you. Danny dear and moth
ing would please him morel''
Mistrust fleeting across his face;
another sharper look. She thought
it jealousy--thrilled to the sug-
gestion-brought herself up with
jerk.
"Bin?" he repeated coldly.
"oh, he's an oljish man I've
known all my life. His other
name. you see, is Smith. And |
may remind you that you know
him. too" She couldn't keep the
lit from her voice. Danny was
jealous! You couldn't be jealous
of someone you didn't love!
Mary" He protested argued,
raised every objection but she
brushed them all away. She had
settled everything in her own
mind and he must do as she
wished. Daddy Bill had known
of her having him here; Uncle
Sherwood knew all the time. They
would help; they wished to help.
In the end he agreed. Never
can balance this with you. Try
all the rest of my life-ah, the
angel! Sure, always I'll be think.
ing of you"
is that all, Danny" She stood
before him glowing like a flame.
eyes searching his face. You'll
go away, out in the world, with
only thought for me sometimes?
You want this?"
He gave her a white look, an.
swered through shut teeth. NO!
Not what want. You-you
know / adore you. Mary! Always
yes. you know. Even in the
beginning-forget that now. ]
knew nothing Of love before. Only
a thought for you sometimes? But
that will keep me straight. Mary.
een--darling-little white darl-
ing"
Like the strains OF sweeping,
ecstatic music that caught her,
carried her spirit to the heights
where was no more doubt, no
clutter of small earthly mists to
cloud the vision. Danny" she
whispered Take me with you!
Not just the thought of me into
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

Old Man Rand had been sentenced
to die!
As the weeks rolled on, the APP
peals procured by expensive eoun.
sci were one by one dismissed or
rejected.
And now Mary's money was all
gone The field was scarcely pay.
ing for itself. The Government
contracts could scarcely meet the
heavy expenses, and the morale OF
the organization had suffered
through the loss of its chief
Carmichael had been helpful. He
had not changed. In spite of the
ironic comments which had at
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

; he was. They never would say
goodbye again
She took him to see Uncle Sher-
wood and waited outside a long
time while they talked. She never
knew what was said hut there was
puzzled delight on Danny's face
afterward.
Didn't know people could be SO
square. I'm seeing with your
eyes"
"Dearestr'
He bought her a huge bouquet
of pink sweet peas and she kept
running her fingers over their soft
fragrance while they waited for
the train.
And then ii was before them and
he was kissing her hands and she
was smiling at him, saying fine,
courageous things in a voice that
caught and broke and went on
again.
"Maryeen! Little darling -ah.
well. just once more then" His
arms closed around her, his kisses
were upon her lips.
CHAPTER 81
Another June. A little, brown
clad figure waiting at Grand Cen.
tral. Hours too early for the train
from the West. Hours and hours
too early.
Mary Smith, someway thinner
than the girl of year ago,
dreamy-eyed, a new sweetness
about the ivory-tinted face. None
but would cali her beautiful now;
hers was the radiant charm that
love kindles in the heart to light
the whole being.
Her mind ran over the months
just gone. Tranquil, uneventful
days in Italy after the turbulence
of the time before.
Letters from Danny. Always
filled with the wonder of her and
the joy of his new life. Everyone
was square-sure. and it was q
grand old worldl Himself, now
he was a prince! She'd got her.
disposition from the great hearted
Daddy Bill, though she had plenty
Of her own for the matter OF that.
He had listened to the stories
the wind told the pines and ne
had reviewed the ranks Of green
soldiers And one day they would
have a. farm like this.
Still she waited waited. And
finally what she longed for came.
You were always right, Maryeen.
l was thinking Id take the money
from the bank to buy place Tor
us. Now see why / never
could. Not good enough for you.
III earn what we have, girl.
You think might give It to
those who take care of kids like
| was? See the young ones have
a chance to go straight before
they get going crooked. Would
this be all right? 1t will be as
you say"
She wrote him exultantly. He
was noble-she was proud of him!
She loved him-loved him so!
Then final letter from Daddy
Bill before she sailed:
The boy never was a crook at
heart, Mary dear. The only fault
! find is he works too hard. He
is at it early and late and you
know your poor old Dad likes to
loaf upon occasion
This brings me to what I
wished to say. I've been plan.
ming for years a knock-about trip.
The Orient. Egypt-such out of
the way places. There's never
been a chance-but- you know
that
However believe the oppor.
tunity is coming. can leave
things in charge of you children
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

breath as with a stab of pain. I'm
glad. He was the only one could
make me care much. Give him
my best, will you? Too good for
the rest of us-that's all right,
though" She drew herself up,
assumed her air of elegance. Got
L be driftin'. Well s'long."
Mary smiled as she remembered
her eyes turned to the clock.
One minute-one minute! One min
1Ite.
She made her way, running. to
the gates. put shaking hands on
the ropes, kept trying to push back
the awed joy that threatened to
swell her heart till 1t burst.
Now there was a roar down ths
train-shed; red-caps scurried; peo-
pie began to straggle in.
She saw him all at once. Com"
ing up the grade, swinging his hat,
a Tilt to his shoulders, q happy,
care-free rhythm in his walk.
Taller than she remembered him,
bronzed by sun, hair q conflagra-
ton, white grin flashing.
He picked her out, took the rest
OF the way in two strides, swept
her from her feet, kissing her eyes,
her lips.
Mary! Maryeen-ah, the darl-
ing, darling! Sure, you've not for
gotten mer'
"wonderfulest, dearest"
Happy, Mary? Tell me this,
are you glad?"
Its heaven, Danny. This IL all
I want, ever"
He hurried her through the sta
tion and hailed q taxi. Municipal
Building" he told the driver. "And
the minute we get our license"
he said to Mary, ''the Little Church
Around the Gornerg'
You're losing no time" she
answered, settling against his arm.
why would / lose time" he
laughed joyously, when / can
marry girl like MaryP'
She raised her lips for his kiss.
You know, Danny dear-I believe
I'm going to fancy that name at
last-'A girl like Mary"
FrT1rs TsAyn 80
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

, and go adVenturing now. Danny
knows as much about the farm
as do and-I'l tell you this--he
is like my own son.
Some day, as you know, all /
have will be yours; and / wouldn't
wish you to leave this, your
home, even for a time. So come
back soon, Mary girl, so your
old father can have his vacation.
The old lamb she whispered
to herself. The dear old woolly
lamb"
She stopped at the Rings and
found the great house rather 81
lent, rather lonely. Uncle Sher'
wood was the same, though a bit
grayer, a bit more lined of face,
grubbing his life away for more
riches, always more. Aunt Julia
had new prophet, a business
like, abrupt person who bullied
her numerically. She told Mary,
tearfully, that Junior, now \
Paris, was about to marry Ethel
Burleigh. Ethel had divorced
Jim and managed a tremendous
alimony settlement.
She hypnotized my poor boy,
walled Aunt Julia. why should
life be so unkind to him-ruin
him?"
II don't think 1t was life, dear.
Aunt Julia herself and his faith.
er's wealth. had ruined Junior.
she reflected. But she was too
iight-hearted to be reached by the
tragedy OF it now.
Idling there in the waiting
room. Mary considered Iris. No
change in her excepting she had
become more wilfuI. more self
centered. She was established in
a Park Avenue apartment and
already professed herself bored to
death by her husband.
This she offered as excuse for
constant excursions to the St.
Gregory where she flirted the
hours away in the dim tea-room
with first one wealthy young
drifter and then another.
Drawn by memories, Mary had
strolled through Harlem, seeking
out the Emerald. 1t was gone
and in its place an elaborate soda
shop. She went in and sat at
a table. one of those. she be-
neVed which had stood in
o'Rourke's old place.
While she fingered here a girl
came; young woman all in
vivid green. too striking; gotten
up. 1t was plain to be seen. with
great expense and small taste.
Many repressed a smile OF
a syy1ttseVoAnf as the e-iY.l turned a
hard little piauant face. knowl-
edgable green eyes, long lashed--
"Why Nellp' she cried.
Nell Cody loitered over, enjoy.
ing the attention she drew.
''They's a change around here"
she observed.
DO tell me what happened"
was too many clean-ups and
Spike moved along. This towns
gettin' good. Clip and Sheik, they
lit out"
But you're looking fine. Nell.
What a-well, handsome gown"
"Yeh. got me gentleman
friend likes to see me dolled. Has
q good little racket runnin' stuff
over the border. Listen" Some
of the flourish went out of her
manner: she leaned over in an
intent eagerness, Listen: is he
all right? l amt never heard
nothin'."
"He left New York long ago,
You knew that? And he is doing
wonderfully. A new boy. Nell.
Oh. you'd never know him"
The other girl drew a sharp
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

} the new life. Take me! Oh, I
love you so!''
You mean this, Mary? You
know what you're saying?"
Il love you-loVe you-love
your
He crushed her hands together
and kissed them, turned them over
and kissed them again But when
she would have gone into his
arms he held her away.
Something to offer you first.
Prove I'm different--you'l waltz
This is hard, darling. You've a
right to be sure.
How long, Danny?"
"A year? You'll waltz"
Forever if it's that. Never any
one else for me. dearest of all"
They packed their bags and
brought them down to the library
to be ready for an early start.
And then they Lalked, unmindful
of the hours. Mary quoted. You
shall have a song, as in the night.
when q holy solemnity is kept
She said. Il feel Ike that dearest" "
Little sweet dazzling Lovely
: Maryeen
1t was she who saw the face at
the window. A blur of white
turned toward the piled up bags,
swing around to Danny, to her.
self
She pointed a shaking finger
and his hand flashed at the light
switch. Then he hurried her al
most roughly through the dark
up the stairs, trying to hide her
in an inner room Think | want
anything to happen tc you--now?
She would not remain. i've
right to help. Don't stop me Dan
NY"
They watched throughout the
night. They had no gun but Dan
ny found something which might
be used as club and Blessing
occupied herself with heating large
pots of water.
"I1l scald any that comes set.
ting foot around my door" she
declared.
But none came. And finally it
was morning and they took turns
snatching a few hours sleep.
CHAPTER so
Mary was all for starting out
directly after luncheon. She had
been scrutinizing Mystery Pdace
THROUGH field glass and 1t ap-
peared closed up and deserted.
Suppose they do know were
leaving, Danny. What difference
does it make? They wouldn't
bother us in broad daylight.
But he objected. They'll try
to keep me from getting into New
York. Afraid I'd squeal-there'd
be an accident on the road. Day
light is too easy"
So they waited till dark. Then
Mary closed the house, a little
shadow of sadness rushing upon
her because their time here was
ended. They rolled away down
the drive. lights out, blessing the
engine for its smooth silence.
She drove swiftly up and down
the steep hill roads, along the
edges of cliffs, a strong, happy
sense of security mounting in her
you see. Danny? It's all right
after all. They don't even know
we've gone"
He was sitting beside her on the
front seat and she caught his
glance going to the windshield
mirror, She saw then; there was
another car 200 yards behind.
"A flivver, she judged, from the
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

And Wilson listened, and nodded.
And nodded again. He picked up a
piece of piping anc squinted at 1t.
Now just suppose. Mr.. Trent,
you had a piece Of piping like this,
how could you figure to connect it,
without
''Oh, but watt Dick interrupted.
He was excited. as he explained.
Wilson was interested in sky-writ-
ingi First Lawson, and now Will
son-conservative men, both.
That night he tried to tell Mary
what he was doing but whether
she was apathetic. or failed to see
the possibilities. she did not ex.
press any enthusiasm.
He was disappointed.
But it's all right, Mary. It's
great idea, / tell you!'
Il hope so, Dick"
She was silent again. Her eyes
had clouded. He knew she was
not listening now. He knew that
her thoughts were miles away in
a lonely cell, where the veteran OF
the air mail waited for fate that
now seemed inevitable.
Copyright, 1929. by King Features
Syndicate. Inc.D
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

first caused Dick to distrust him,
Carmichael proved surprisingly
thoughtful.
He had done his best to push
the service to it's most efficient
pitch. Then it was he who, to
augment finances, had suggested
opening the field to the public for
paid rides, or joy hops as the
pilots of the company called them.
The field broke even, but there
was no profit. In this extremity
Mary had come to Dick.
"I've got to have money; I've
got to have IT, I've got to retain
John Parmenter Graves-he might
The Washington times., 1929-02-09
STOP BAD BREATH

People afflicted with bad breath
find quick relief through DR., Ed.
wards Olive Tablets. The pleasant.
ssgar-coated tablets are taken for
bad breath by all who know them.
DR.. Edwards Olive Tablets act
gently but firmly or the bowels and
liver. stimulating them to natural
action, clearing the blood and gently
purifying the entire system. They
do that which dangerous calomel
does without any of the bad after
effects.
Olive Tablets bring no gripping,
pain or any disagreeable effects.
Dr. +. M. Edwards discovered the
formula after 20 years of practice
among patients afflicted with bowel
and liver complaint. with the at.
tendant bad breath.
Olive Tablets are purely a vegeta.
BILE compound mixed with olive oil;
you will know them by their olive
color. Take nightly for a week
and note the effect. 15c, SOc, 60c.
AL Druggists,
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

week with dazed, incredulous eyes.
From that stage he had emerged
many times more mature, with the
seeds of understanding and even
strength in him.
That was the only good thing
that the whole disaster had
created.
As for Dick. he could only suf-
fer for Mary in his heart. His in.
ability to help her gnawed at him.
He pondered asleep and awake the
possibilities, and could find no
loophole for action in any of
them.
Old Man Rand was innocent, and
The Washington times., 1929-02-09
But it's all right, Mary it's great idea, tell you"

do something. I'D starve my
self IL that would do any good.
Where can get the money,
Dick?"
He was too young, too much an
adventurer. to know much about
the major problem Of life to
ninety-nine people out of a hun
dred. How did people get money?
What did they do to become mil
lionaires?
"I'li try to think of something
tonight. Mary he had said help
lessly.
He was as uncertain as man
in labyrinth. Meney-how could
The Washington times., 1929-02-09

fore the day was out, to beg his
forgiveness. Her nerves were on
edge as indeed were those of every
one at Rand Field.
Tom Rand had, however, re-
acted surprisingly to the calamity
that had oyertaken his family. Up
to the last minute he had appar-
entity believed his father would be
cleared, and things would return
to old, pleasant, familiar ways.
When sentence of death had been
passed, Tom went around for