The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-08-26
CHAPTER MI

CHAPTER MI
Thornton (Alias stephen }
Black stared at his henchman con,
temptuously. Louis was babbhng
wildly again: 1T wasn't no phony
act, Steve. 1t was real, the way
they talked. She didn't sound hike
the same girl. She's Molly Mil
ford, sure as you live, only you
don't know it. -
Zone of us is crazy, Black
sneered, land it's not me.
Louis said suddenly. "She is
. Molly Milford" ,.
There. Steve, what did | tell
YOU? A cool half million in our
hands, -,
"Shut up. I'm sick of that talk. -
Pm Brent Stuart Brent said.
"An architect. | came here to
find Miss Milford. Now that you
know the truth, there's nothing TO
prevent you from carrying out
your plans. Mr.. Milford would
pay any amount to have her back.
You can do what you please with
me. but you're foolish to throw
away a fortune. let Molly tell
YOU how she happened to come
here disguised in another girl 5
clothes. and how the other girl
was mistaken for Molly
You're dead wrong, Steve,
grumbled Louis.
Steve turned. suddenly, to Mol
ly. MAKE it snappy. And think
M a good one
While Brent had been pleading
for her Molly had been analyzln%
the situation. These men, with a
lust for money. would risk lot
for a big ransom, and take the
chance on escaping the police.
They would probably return her
alive-drugged-which would give
them an opportunity to make their
getaway. But they would never
double the risk by turning Brent
loose, too. Brent, who loved her.
whom she loved so much, was
doomed. Brought 10 this dreadful
end by her own folly.
Hurry. sister. We've no time
to waste. Is this fellow telling
the truth? Tell q straight story
and tell all of it."
Sure Molly said in low,
husky voice, lapSing into the Ian
guage and tone she had counter
feited so successfully during her
Imprisonment. Il met this poor
kid down town and she looked all
in. and said, Come on, ride home
in my limousine and I'll dress you
up swell for once in your life and
I'll wear those rags you've got on
and give my boy friend the laugh
of his life. /
molly" Brent cried frantical-
". What are you dOing?'
Molly Steve Black mimicEed.
Like hell she is. Well, sister, you
probably did your best.
Cant you see she's acting?'
Brent's agony was in his voice and
eyes. Molly" he pleaded, you
can't help me. You're throwing
your life away for nothing. Don't
you know the only thing that
would make this bearable would
be to know you were saved? l
swear, darling, I'd die happy to
have you safe again. Molly, think
of your father"
A pretty speech. A mighty
affecting speech" Steve Black
Knocked. Il guess the little girl
would do what she could to save
her skin. But, seeing she's not
the girl, she's pretty helpless"
Molly smiled family. Its too
bad | didn't 90 to school much,
she said. "I'm not so dumb. l
coulda passed myself off for that
girl if they hadn't read about her
in the papers. 1t wasn't in the
cards. / guess"
"All right, Louis. Scramble our
traps together" Steve command
ed. IF it hadn't been for your
damn dramatics we'd have gotten
away long time ago"
The atmosphere of the place
was charged with suspense. Brent.
one arm around Molly, stood
quietly, rigidly, but it wa sa dam
gerous type of rigidity suggesting
coiled steel ready to spring.
Molly. white-faced and weary,
leaned closer against Brent's arm
and felt it tighten systematically
about her.
Just a little while to be to-
gether. Just little time when
but for those two violent men
they would be going on and on
into future enriched by love and
happiness and useful living.
"Oh, Molly" Brent grOaned.