The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-12
ONE FOR THE
MONEY

Q, LOUISE HolnH

The sheridan apartment hutld-
ne located n the east eighties.
Ess vel cared for. though some
what unpretsntious When ths
answered jules ring.
ne asked him Il Michael Patton
Tas = tenant
To her dismsy. he informed her
that Mr.. PattOn's furniture had
been moved IN that day.
So il was true. She said evenly.
I am his daughter May I look
AZ the refrigerator -
He led her 70 apartment F and.
after ringing the bell. unlocked
the door with his pass key. Julie
went in slowly, calling. Mike -
you here ." When ne
did not reply she vas in a frenzy
10 depart. This vas al wrong.
TO her overvrought senses there
~as something sinister IN the
rooms and the huddle ~
new furniture.
II wasn't like Mike 10 do
thing like this. Honesty
was a fetish with him. II had
been the loss of money en-
trusted 10 him by others that
had put him where he was
today. But where was he to-
day. Had his sluggish mind
gone off on an incredible
tangent
Julie hurriedly inspected the
refrigerator and returned to the
living room. The custodian had
been pushing the furniture into
semblance OF order. With sink
ing heart. Julie noted the good
quality and tastefulness of each
piece. A nameless terror. out Of
all proportion to the turn Of
events. caused chill to run the
length Of her spine.
She said 90 the custodian.
Thank YOU for letting me in"
A moment later she was down
on the street, signaling a cab.
Hurry-hurry-hnrry.
Without thinking II through.
Julie knew 1t to be imperative
that she reach her father before
he saw Enid. She was oppressed
with a deadly fear which actu-
ally had no foundation except the
mad light in Ends eyes and the
threat she had voiced.
The drive was long and slowed
by home-goinE traffic. Mike had
come and gone when Julie bound
ed up the stairs and opened the
Patton door.
Opening it, she closed her lips
on a scream. Enid lay on the floor.
eyes closed, arms flung out A
knife had obviously fallen from
one of the outflung hands. II was
a Malay knife. its blade shining
sharp. AS 8 letter opener it had
always lain on Mikes desk. Word-
lessly, Julie ran to kneel beside
Enid.
The woman breathed light
~, there was no sign that she
had been wounded by the
Malay knife. She had un-
doubtedly tainted. Julie sprang
TO her feet. running through
the apartment, calling for her
father.
The bedroom was a shambles.
the closet door open, boxes and
tissue and coat hangers nttering
the he'd and floor. II was ap-
parent that Mike had moved out.
Carrying water and towel, Julie
hurried back 10 Enid. She found
her sitting up, staring dazedly at
the knife.
She said quietly. not raising her
eyes. I tried TO kill him"
Did you hurt him ." Julie
gasped. What happened ."
She knelt beside Enid on the
floor.
4 told him that I knew about
his double life. I said would
never let him 20 to-her." Ends
voice was dull. burdened He
said I couldn't stop him. He said
he wouldn't be my favorite doll
any more. He packed his things
and ! waited for him with this
knife in my hand." She touched
the knife in a bemused. wondering
gesture.
"Yes-yes-T Julie bresthed.
Enid moistened her dry lips.
When he came out Of the bed
room I tried to strike him with
the knife. I remember screaming.
He laughed. He twisted my wrist
until dropped the knife. He
said. You poor fool - you poor
little fool Then ne went away.
That's all"
Julie helped her to the
couch. You tainted. Enid"
she said gently. Let me wipe
your face with this nice cool
water"
IN spite Of Ends agony and ths
near tragedy. Julie was wild with
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