The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-08-22
REcIN HERE TODAY

has received proposals of marriage
from three suitors, but Brent
Stuart, whom she loves, has not
/ asked her to marry him.
Bored with parties, Molly ask,
Brent to take her to The Red
| Poppy" a questionable night club
He refuses. Molly, annoyed, goes
wit hWick Ross, another admirer,
The lights 90 out suddenly and
when they come on again Molly
finds herself dancing with a hand
some stranger. He is, in reality.
Nelson Ferguson, bank robber and
he is one of a group planning to
spirit Molly away and hold her for
ransom.
Ferguson tells Molly his name
is Nelson Whitaker" A few
days later he asks her to have
dinner with him, and she agrees.
Waiting for him at a downtown
store, Molly encounters a girl who
appears to be her exact double.
Impulsively Molly exchanges her
luxurious costume for the other
girls shabby one.
She and "Whittaker" go to a
place called "Frenchy's." Police
arrive and there is shooting in
which "Whittaker" is fatally in
iured. Molly is forced into car
and taken to a deserted farm
house.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHATTER TX
Back in the library, Brent turn
ed the pages of the newspaper
with shaking fingers. The report
of Molly's death had almost crowd
ed the story of the bank robber
from the front page. 1t was there,
less conSpicuOusly placed, and
there was line reading, picture
on Page 3"
Brent studied the photograph
of the young man the police had
slain. There wasn't a doubt of it.
He was the same man who had
danced with Molly that night at
THE Red Poppy" Sleek dark
hair, bold eyes, lips parted in a
smile revealing very white teeth.
He read it all-the story of
Handsome Harry Whitman, known
to his cronies as NelSe Ferguson,
gambler, alleged gunman, jewel
robbery suspect, who had contriv-
ed, through iron-clad alibis and
skillful lawyers, to live in a swank
apartment instead of a penitenti-
airy cell.
The account limited that the
gangster had been betrayed into
the hands of police by former
Acting on a tip, officers had gone
to "Frenchy's," an eating place
across the river. A girl had been
with Whitman, but when the
lights were switched off she had
disappeared. Police were of the
opinion that she was merely
chance acquaintance of the robber
and not involved in the bank rob-
berry.
J Brent was breathing hard. The
lights had gone off just as
they had that night :. . the same
man the girl who had looked
! like Molly.
at makes sense. It's a com
plete pattern" Brent found him
self saying aloud. "It's got tc
make sense"
| He picked up the telephone and
called a number. Mrs. Milford
please. Tell her Brent Stuart Is
calling"
After a short interval he heard
IDonna's voice. Brent, you poor
unhappy man."
Donna, may l come out for
moment? It's something urgent
or l wouldn't ask you to see me
now"
"Of course, Brent. Come imme-
diately."
Fifteen minutes later he was
saying, Donna, please humOr me.
l know l sound insane, but | want
you to try to remember. Was
there anything unusual about
Molly? After death, l mean"
81 don't understand, Brent"
Anything different. Anything
at all you may have noticed"
Brent urged gently.
"It's so hard to talk about. 1t
doesn't seem as though it could
be true" Donna's voice was
choked with emotion.
eyes" Brent said in low tone,
'rbut try to remember"
81 noticed one thing particu-
larly. We-they," she shuddered'
"Her shoes were so tight. 1t was
little difficult"
"Much too tight?" -,
Eyes. why do you ask"
Donna, please! Was there any
thing else?"
"Yes. Molly always liked the
very best of everything. Natural
| ", you know. The silk slip she
had on was different. Trimmed
with lots of lace and the material
was inexpensive. But of course,
she may have had an inexpensive