The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-23

fContinued From Page SKI
walking treaoherous and uneom-
Portable.
Head Aches
Her head ached as she told her.
self that Helen Stiles had deliher-
ately lied to her. For some reason
known only to herself the book
keeper did not want her address
known by anyone at the store.
Now that she had discovered
this IL seemed strange to Gail that
she had not followed the clue be-
fore.
No wonder Anna had become
impatient. Her daughter had been
working at Reds for months yet
this was the first real proof she
had that everything in the store
was not what 1t seemed to be.
II told you you'd find some
thing If you kept at it," Anna in
sisted. There is probably plenty
back OF this, Gail, and you must
not stop until you find out what
II is"
Yes. Gail sighed. her task he'd
only begun. But she did not like
herself in the role of detective.
But Anna was right Of course.
There was certainly some reason
for Helen Stiles strange behavior.
The next night Gail waited
across the street until Helen came
out. She gave quick glance back
at the building she had left then
hurried on toward the street car
line.
Gail followed but found that the
bookkeeper made no attempt to
board any of the crowded cars
which passed. Instead she climbed
into a green sedan which moved
slowly along the curb.
Gail hailed a passing taxi say
ing exciscdly, Follow that green
car ahead. And don't lose sight
of it."
Too Dark
1t was too dark to see who was
driving but when it stopped in
front of an apartment house Gail
ordered the taxi to stop across the
street.
1t had been too dark to see who
was at the wheel OF the sedan but
as the two figures came arm in
arm toward the lighted entrance
she saw that the man with Helen
Stiles was Tobias Wentworth.
She was looking into his face
and laughing with the gayety of a
woman in love.
Gail waited until they had gone
inside then feeling like a spy
crossed the street and flashed a
quick glance down the list of oc-
cupants.
There was his name-Went-
worth. The janitor had been right
then. Yet even so what connection
did this fact have with the stolen
emerald?
The following day Gail lunched
with Hazel determined to leave no
stone unturned. Hazel was full Of
her own affairs as usual. She had
been to night club the previous
evening with man who called her
his "golden-haired girl"
1T proves what I have always
said" Hazel confided. Men are
simply more vulnerable about
blends. I don't suppose you'd be-
lieve it but there was time when
I hardly ever had a date"
Gail murmured, 'T can't emagine
it."
IT don't suppose you can but the
truth OF the matter is I'm older
than I look. I never did look my
age. but I'm telling you, Gail, I've
only been popular since l dyed my
hair" Hazel laughed self-con-
sciously. II guess this will be a
surprise to you, too. but all my life
I've watched the blends get the
breaks and two years ago I de-
cided to take a chance"
You mean you've only had
blond hair for two years ?" Gail in
CURED really astonished.
That's right. My hair used to
be as brown as yours is. You
wouldn't believe what 1t can do for
girl to change II. At first Of
course everyone in the store kidded
me about 1t but now no one thinks
OF me as any other way"
Gail Smiles
Gail smiled then she asked seri-
ously, Once when I first came
here to work I asked you a cues
ton which you probably considered
none Of my business but I have a
reason. terribly important reason
for wanting to know.
rs it true. Hazel. that you've
only worked here three years ?"
rs that what told you?"
Gail nodded.
well, I don't ordinarily admit
it," Hazel confided, because IL
makes me seem so much older
than ! really am but have been
at Reds seven years"
Gail decided to 20 step farther.
You were here then when the
emerald ring was stolen ?"
Hazers blue eyes widened.
Yes. Who told you about II ?"
Buzz. And then read about
il in the paper" Gail said n,,ietlv