Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21

an instant like one who had made an exertion
beyond her strength. Dolls head was a-whirl.
"She's so wonderful" she thought, and was
overcome by an urge to speak to her.
Already admirers were mounting the plat
form. Doll pushed forward. Peculiar. Mrs.
rockingham had looked straight at her, unrec-
ognizing. After that instant,s glance, the lee
turer had turned away in a fash of painful self
consciousness. She whispered something to
Mrs. Vandermont and the two FASTENED through
a side door. For while Doll hesitated. then
it dawned upon her that they had slipped out
by an exit in the chamber beyond.
She ran through the emptying house and into
a side street just in time to see Mrs. Frothing-
hams nat visible through the back window Of
Mrs. Vandermont's car. Doll threw herself at
taxi, opened the door while 1t was still In mo-
ton. skinned her knees scrambling in.
Keep your eyes on that big blue car Get
the number. Follow it." she told the driver.
The man made after the blue car 50 closely
that their bumpers all but touched. The cars
swung IN at Fifth Avenue; for an instant the
taxi fell behind. Then in the middle of q block
Mrs. Vandermont's car stopped in front of
Crossman's department store.
Mrs. Frothinghams neat figure was seen
stepping to the sidewalk. Then the blue car
drove on. In an instant Doll had passed some
bills TO her driver and was making her way
rapidly toward Crossman's She entered the
store
WALKING in knots of people, Doll peered
~ cautiously right and left. Then sud-
denly, she saw Mrs. rockingham mussing over
an exhibit of feather fans. There was Just
time for Doll to conceal herself In the Jog of q
staircase. Through the spindles she could see
the lady raise her eyes, look alertly from side
to side, then go on with her examination
Then Mrs. rockingham moved with
calm, forced smile, she made straight for the
artifcial-jewel department; her hand trembled
as she pointed down into the showcase.
Those pearls-theyre pretty"
"Yes madam. They're marked down to
1897"
The girl brought out the tray. Mrs. Froth-
ingham lifted one long pale striI-g and drew
it over her fingers Then Dolls heart stood
still. Sometimes you can't believe the things
you see. And here an exciting instance.
gong was sounding for the store to close.
The clock over the mantel was pointing to-
ward am, but Doll had no idea of going to
bed. vicious thunderstorm was rolling over
New York. What q storml She had been
drinking black coffee, to be wide awake If Hec
should ring her up.
How barbarous, thought Doll that Mrs.
rockingham who wanted TO mother all the
that wretched string of bubbles. And she just
mustn't be guilty.
The telephone rang. Hec's dry voice. How
are you, dearie?"
I'm all right. Can you talk?"
Yep. But make 1t snappy."
In the fat second in which, If we must, we
can debate very mixed questions Doll went
over her separate 1oyalties. She had full faith
in MRS. Frothinghams goodness and the old
lady needed protection. But Doll couldn't bear
betraying Hec for anybody.
She began her story in a tumble: Listen,
Hec. She delivered lecture at Meeting Place
Club--yes, / followed her after to Cheeseman's.
saw her buy o string of 1897 pearls. She
bought one string and, when the clerk wasn't