The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-07-14

AVA q obicSI Gar W Ldhe Lue u LHe SUD-
way line back into town; 1 had been
calling on another girl, who lives at
6100, north of the first station. 1 left
her at twelve-thirty and went to the
corner Of Godfrey and York roads for
my car. And there was this girl by
herself. don't suppose we would
have got acquainted, much as wanted
to, If hadn't caught her looking d.
rectly at me. Then, when our eyes,
met, she smiled as If she wouldn't
mind speaking to me, either" Conceit-
eddy, he fingered his mustache tips.
$50 opened up conversation with
her."
"You just couldn't help speaking to
her." Rankin's lips twitched in the
ghost of a smile. "And what hap
pened then?"
swell, couldn't pass up anything
that promising, could L? Anyhow,
she wasn't offended and after while,
I suggested that might see her home.
She said 1t was impossible that night,
but If / cared to, we could fix up q
date together for early this week. So
we arranged to meet at nine o'clock
last night at the same spot; didn't
care If / missed the initiation. But
she wouldn't tell me who she was or
where she lived. I asked If l could
phone her in the meantime, but she
promised to ring me instead, on Sun
day. She said that would prove she
intended to show up. I gave her the
frat. phone number and my name
not my right name, of course" The
boy smiled. "Not yet; just the one I
always use until I'm better acquainted
with the date"
sand did she actually call up on
Sunday?"
"Yes, and that's why it Is so pecu-
liar" Crawford answered. "While she
didn't tell me about herself, she prom
Used faithfully to see me last night.
Yet she never turned up; waited at
the corner half-hour, but there wasn't
sign of her anywhere"
"She was probably indulging in
some fun at your expense" Rankin
commented. "Even so, that accounts
for where you were only until nine
thirty last night"
For the first time, the boys aplomb
was shaken and he weighed his reply.
"After that - he began, "well,
suppose may as well admit I visited
another girl friend of mine" He ex-
planned apologetically: "To tell the
truth, Z had been counting heavily on
the Cite and when it fell through,
was depressed; wanted some COM
pany to cheer me. Then phoned this
girl for permission to drop in, and she
agreed to my visiting her."
"When was this?" the detective
asked. "What time was it, Mr.. Craw-
ford?"
II called her as soon as l got back
to town again; that was ten-ten. This
girl lived in the opposite direction, in
South Philly, and had to return to
town anyway to go to her apartment.
That took three-quarters of an hour
and l arrived at half past ten." The
young man plucked nervously at his
mustache "But but can't give
you any more information about her."
he declared.
"You can't? Rankin demanded
bluntly. ''Why not? You mean you
won't?"
"Well /. :" Crawford
foundered. 81 don't want to get her
int
with her till morning; spent the night
there" A flush of embarrassment suf-
fused his face. eff that should come
out, it would be awkward; she'd prob
ably lose her job and it wouldn't look
any too nice for me. either"
"There isn't the slightest danger her
name will figure in this affair."" Ran
kin stated emphatically. "My only in
terest in you, Mr.. Crawford, is in trac-
ing your movements last night. AS
long as this girl can prove you were
in her company, am not bit con-
cerned with your conduct, otherwise.
Anyhow, if necessary, could learn
her identity through your fraternity
brothers. They could list your friends
and then it would only be matter of
elimination"
mo, I'd rather tell you myself. Her
name is Florence Dalton and she is a
graduate at the university hospital
here. Her place in South Philadelphia
is two-room apartment at 1920 Har-
mon street; she occupies it alone"
"Thank you, Mr.. Crawford" The
detective rose. II think that is all
I want to ask at the present. VIII
you please have Mr.. Palmer come in
next?"
After Ben Crawford left the room,
his features were deep study and his
eyes held questioning, dissatisfied
look. For, despite the tale he had
just heard, he still remained uncertain
whether the thirty-second person at
the initiation was fraternity member
or an intruder. He had no reason
to doubt the boy or suspect him OF
lying; nor grounds for connecting him
with the crime. Nevertheless, he
could still have attended the ceremony