The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-12-28
CHAPTER XI-Continued

"Another girl friend Listen, you're
the original great lover, aren't your"
She was mad to taunt him. Couldn't
she see that he was working toward
frenzy? Prudence looked at the bolts
on the door behind her. Suppose Cal
loway turned the tables and kept Milly
and herself prisoners here? That was
a thought. 1t sent icy prickles soloing
up her spine.
LET me go, Lenl Make it snappy!"
Milly's voice was strained.
"And suppose don't?"
"You will. You are such just
man." Prudence, emerging from her
hiding place, reminded sweetly.
Galloway wheeled and scowled at her
backed against the double door. Milly
shrugged, pulled vanity case from
her pocket and applied lipstick.
"Took you long time to put on
your act, didn't it. saw you stealing
away from the red brick house.
went there to ask If might see the
rooms; / lived there once. You
sneaked across the road. ! knew-I
knew Roddy liked you. So l followed
to see what you were up to. Don't kid
yourself. / found out. You came to
meet that rotten Walt Gerardw
Had the roof collapsed on her? She,
Prudence Schuyler, was being accused
of a rendezvous with that sneaky
man!
Don't be foolish!" She tried to
keep her voice condescendingly
amused; she succeeded only in pro-
ducing words which shook with anger.
"If you are interested to know, came
because Galloway and Walter Gerard
are conspiring to hurt Rodney"
Milly caught the arm of the man
who stood scowling from one girl to
the other.
"Have you hurt Roddy, Len? If you
have"
Her small pointed white teeth set In
her under lip like those of an angry
cat.
The veins in Calloway's temples
stood out like cords. Didn't l tell
you when you threw me down for him,
Milly, that l would run Rodney Gerard
off the earth? Well, I'm doing it, off
this part of the earth. He'll think
twice before he cuts in on my girl or
my business again"
Nfilly shook him. "You great sap
You-you flat tire!' Her voice rose
in shrill invective. Rodney Gerard
had nothing to do with my throwing
you over. 1t was Walt! Your present
pal! Waltz"
"Walt Don't try to be funny. Did
Walt have your picture with, From
calico and Galloway to liberty and
love- written on the back of it? Did
he keep it in the room Rod uses for
his Office at High Lodges? walt 7
Try another alibi, Milly. try another"
She shook him again with as much
effect as mouse attempting to pull
down a stone lion.
Have you gone haywire? never
sent a photo to Roddy-the one you
saw belonged to Walt. l suppose he
could use a desk at High Lodges,
couldn't he? You make me sick with
your suspicious of Roddy. What have
you two-racketeers done to him."
Calloway's face was as colorless as
white chalk. "Say that again about
Walt Gerard having that picture,
Milly."
"I'll say It again. Shall tell all?
It isn't bedtime story. 1t might have
been more snappy If 1t hadn't been
for Rodney Gerard. was dead sick
Of working and one-night stands and
shabby clothes and Grandpop sick and
out of Job most of the time. Walt
came along and offered tomake life's
walk easy-for a consideration. And
can he hand out a line, I'm telling
you I" Her eyes and voice tormented.
Before closed with his offer, Rodney
found it out and-and he made it easy
for no consideration. Get that Len?"
SIS that right?"
"Sure, hundred per cent right. I'm
telling the truth. Rodney Gerard
doesn't know I'm. on earth--except
when it's time to send me check or
bring me one. I've kept on taking
the money so would see him some
times"
He glared at her unseeingly. 800
I've been hunting the wrong man, have
I? Walt was back Of your break with
me! Rod Gerard has been shielding
his no-account brother. And thought
/ was such just mani l."
His face worked horribly. Prudence
felt as If a stripped soul had been
laid bare.
wall like the warning of giant
banshee swelled to deafening
screech. dwindled. rose again to ear
splitting proportions. died down.
whats that?"
"Shut up, Millyi Listenl Count !"
Calloway's voice was hoarse.
Prudence clenched her hands. The
fire siren! Suppose it were the red
brick house. Would Macky think to
rescue the Paul Lamerie kettle?
Galloway pulled MiIly away from the
door. She xripped his arm,