Pag? Bewm

un ur owwtt rant remiT raimiT u. i»a

>tn b*<f

_. anc pk«tT •< « fll a «mA-ssiS-sxrj -

e. ■arilaaii /torr .am* tarr t mkI tar la JKB*SZ I ILL, bm ttaatf m tt ««*«■ *mt »**. w

t»««. A awla»ta mm UBaMa*•rif a« Ik- AtaMr m4 —ataw

a iW awf taafiMC ftv Ma

Bnea t^ntke rm SE^w-r#

kto. M ta wktah L s/sKc-ssas

Wa «*!■■»—i 1*— —akta

Wa nki^,—I mm+***m la a rawMa ■■*«■* «ka afea* tarmm -n-Mta" Mri aata ta« ata

aaa laal 4 "aarfaBy m mb- Mritaatr ata

w«k Ita haak 4»f..k. m4 Tala tarta «aa« ta tMak. taw b Uk tar asataat Barkan br tta arva)*tr paMMtr tkai llla-t. taukan*! Mtar Am m4 tartan ■#»« b n fca-bwa aaartmmd, atartar II w«k ■rtanar. Italkbr, Faacj. Twmcj b ta tan

. 1 I a* nal naa a , • Be? «rj m 7W <naM>M(Ma »*» ■1 rram OMai >aM m« A«c ** • '■» ta-na.-* ■•WU tr.-ia-r aU. Br »ort aa- m.'>> Bn axe but *•.••..

k tmt ib k*

■tj tuw-tc Barbara

»axr7 Uaa off tb, f~m bat aiuf

n t!- mliMi* of b» o*w clothe* ahy dost you ' It'* aondarTBl. a peach, almoet

-odd he clad to have ytm. *** -by you've never tried

mrarad te «o aa an* na loM I anVOankaB* a tatter •Wa tartan paaaed tn* bait- «Wac tn* a^taj^rm-ai* « raoc a fe« obaaM bier, ata fW trVCM W* t»' nta or

Ike atm.* of 'Pa** Lot- “at a* coct a»

a" above ra. arlaaLtsc of tta "BtaT! ^sney'a

He aaked my laat

The day came at laat Barbara fochd herself the center of Interest ta the Telecraph ataff. aa a be closed her desk and turned to leave. Miss Bad yrr wa* studiously re yardins a pace of copy. She did not look op when everybody else shouted farewells to Barbara. McDermott came to the oatstde cate of the office with her. "Keep a stiff upper lift Miss Hawley.’* be said. Therell be terrible confusion. And you'll be lucky If the bote' holds that room we reaerred for you. Rooms will be as scarce as hen's teeth this month. But If you set in trouble of any kind. Barbara bade him coodby and

She found Fancy In the kitchen, employed a the unaccustomed

work of getting dinner.

The girl blushed as Barbara entered. “I think I've burned nearly

X »ra*»!lng mm around her be- ! tta idea i’ ’b» ronrantlaa city the station > t’.ror.gsd She found a tail and «• to the hotel Its lobby was II more crowded than the sla-

c

The room bad been held, to her . great relief She unpacked the new fr—►* and lay down for a nap. ■ There eould be nothing to do till

• tomorrow.

At dinner In the bronze room. 1 she met several other newspaper women. They accepted her eaally a* one of the tribe. A very thin woman with snappy black eyes leaned across the table to apeak to her. “It's going to be a great picnic, my daar. if you've never done It before, you'd better stick cloae to me.” Barbara amlled back at ber. “I shall probably need your help. What paper do you write for* - The older woman Bushed. “No special paper now. I'm a free lance.” Barbara thought abe caught faces of the two women who overheard the remark. After dinner, the women reporters went sight seeing. They wan-1 dered through the old public square, where fountains played and ran | down little caacades over Illy pads. - The spot of green was shut in by high gray buildings. Molly Perkins, the black-eyed woman, walked beside Barbara. She talked constantly, telling anecdotes, quoting witty sayings, commenting on life, with always a faint strain of defiant braggadocia. Barbara list'ned. wooderingly. Part of the crowd decided upon motion pictures for entertainment. Barbara and several other declined

to go.

“Come bark to the hotel with me. Miss Hawley." said Miss Perkins. “Well go up to my room and bare a good talk."

larhara. “and sit tawa at tta table. Tta taa t* «1 I wap kancry myself, but I couldn't tatkaps I

tea U»*y nan cniaaes IJ ouaiow

bar knees up oa tta stool and When tta man walked awey Barid at Barbara ’Well." she said bars approached lb* banker. 1

«, l Fancy, and ,w ytm. But 1 baveat much ly.” Fancy obeyed. baa Barbers came Into tta bed a tta girl v

a. dear." abe whispered. “I'm lorry What a beast I was! you'd been so good to me. too ” tears began to trickle again eta bid ber face against Bar-

ant talk about that. Ton

d bis many lore*. r. Finer, once be c

it to have anything to 1 v* a ensnee u> so u> -v- »«•« . person ss that, do He leaned back, waiting for tar

a sighed There's no t

that yonil tell your father It It and do ss be says " y sbtugged her shoulder* ill him. but 1 don't know r FU do — hat h< says. He * bard-stalled old fogy. Bab* I enough to know what 1 be eo. dear, but not old to know what's good for

The man whom he sbaak Ms bead That may be so ol Ssooe.” be said “Bet youngjtrybaafcs of the compear, they **V HU part tn the deal was only draw- ■ foreign up with st id dormer Never cared much for type of architecture myself, ta. supposed to *e good to hi* line. I don't believe ta paid any attention to tta money side of tta

oars appmocoru - think yanr-re wrong about Mr Key ■•Ids.' ata said, quite Irrelecand}. McDermott was placing more 1 nnllin'T la tar. giving ber front psgr assignments frequently and relieving ber of the routine work. Tta lovelorn column, however, he refused to take away from tar. Tou have a human touch In that column." ta said. “And it’s a great

cirralaUun builder."

Barbara smiled dubiously. Each nay when ata ran through the mall ata picked up the pink and lavender envelopes and tore them open with feverish haste. And each time ata •»"> back week with relief against tor chair. There wi

letters from Violetta.

t> Jeffries came Into tta Telegraph office one day late tn May.

HU eye# were shining.

He searched out Barbara

What matter* now U that sea bow right 1 am about JarYou mustn't ruin your life

tiling In love with a man of hU .—

There * nothing In it for you. tar

, mire to drop you in a .tort “What’s up. Bob- asked Baras be dropped the other girl mar*, smiling at him. “Have you tm. Believe me. I know about found a diamond mine in PbUa

delphu bounty or did ymtr

usual. SSISB oauser wtsmu*. financed away as she saw him approaching Barbara's desk, and shot

with a vicious slam.

perched on tor desk, grln“Neither. Better than that chance to go to New Yorl-

once -oca The effect waa all that be could Fancy re- have deelred Barbara waa visibly thrilled. “Ob. gorgeous! What

kind of a Job. Bob-

”Publicity for the Ebtor theatre*. - be replied with nonchalance

it elaborately assumed

tta old wing *u«o ciin Barba; a', eye* gleamed. Tm*o replied Fancy “Lots of gl*d for you ” Her fare fell. But

,'ju.r^le^Sm. of men what In tta world will I do for a

^nd Ik now Jerome side kick. Bob' You were going to He Uni that ta my knight and fellow traveler

do you live so contentedly. Fancy * eye* »«« I ,nu - ra drew back, then recorr pot** “What do you Do you think an unmarri-d cant have ’ ~ —

Bob laughed "Yep. I

tta picture-banging contract. Bui really. Bata, you can t eipect me to hank around IhU burg forevei n« the chance that sometime you'll have a picture for me to bang 1 have to go -tare fortune call*.' He looked *0 like a pleased toy of ten that Barbara could only unite, too "Of course you must go." *br said. "Bui tow we ' ” —‘~

Bob raised his eyebrow*. "Oh. I guess my going soo t leave much of a hole I'm not really very m aery to anybody In the world ' • Now Bob. don't assume that high trvgedy air You know you're perfectly suited with this fancy free Ilf* of your*, and nothing would bore you more than being tied to

anybody or any piace-“

r;spume** Bob Mailed. ’Yep. you're right. . Ulighted -Notyxnetly ! «r. sort of ta'*

1 you know. I d think you'd] over It sometime*, when I find s dmirer. and partis, sad I balrplu In my restaurant chicken

out an extra. “Girl Reporter Cap-1 b«m> T«« «« «» *>“»*

’urr* Missing Realtor." said ttaout InvIWttom

tanner headline. "Mlaa Barbara! first of all ta l»vmng 7°” Hawley of the Telegraph Kinds I raeepttao. You bTongbtaa e^^ .Ionathan Mannerr On Way Home dressed like * •«»•«* “M* With Prisoner." comic strips. Lou mkM y P^y

by we hai* to rldlcnloua. And now ywu ewe

*end for you." smiled McDermott Made the story twice aa big " Barbara was reading tta story. MU* Hawley's adroitness." "Resourceful young newspaper wo-

bravery" — the phrases ran on.

She covered her face for a moent. 'Til never be able to told up my head again. Mr. McDermott after this grandstand pUy." McDermott laughed "Oh. ye*, you will. You'll be a town heroine, and you'll be surprised to find bow much you like It It's- a darn picturesque story, and you should

make the most of lt~

In the new- room. Byers, the dramatic critic, gave her a *!ow smile. "How does it feel to ta a

heroine. Miss Hawley—

Barbara flushed. "Please drop that 1 may have to stand It outside. but the Telegraph office ought

< stand by me."

"Sure, well stand my you.” answered Byers, “ever though your champion. Bob Jeffries. Is tare no

They’ve got an awkward

kid named Morrison doing hUi speak

In a moment Barbara banded a scrawled message to the man behind the counter. "Rust that through," she said.

She stopped at the name. “Wlnthrop R Mannering " Then she rushed to the telegraph booth near the elevator. She found a paid and pencil. In a moment she handed a scrawled message to the man behind the counter. "Ruah that through.” abe said. t'HADTER XXXVHI DARBARA went back to ber room to await the answer She had sent the telegram to McDermott's

home.

Nine o'clock, ten o'clock came and went. There waa no word. At eleven o'clock Barbara decided mat the reply would not come Ull morning and made ready for bed. Aa she waa brushing her hair there was a knock at the door. The oellboy handed her a yellow envelope. "Philadelphia police chief wiring authority for arrest of Manners. Better get In touch with headquarters. and return with Manners and deputy. Manners' story more Ic poriant than convention. Keep touch with me —McDermott." Barbara sal down on the bed moment and tried to catch tar

breath.

plain clothes man met tar In the lobby a little later. "How 11 we know which room be'* In— be asked when Barbara bad Intro-

duced herself.

'1 think to'* registered as Winihrop Mannering It'* the only the book that even resemble* his own. Let's see If the Mannering person Is In bis room The telephone operator rang ■om on the alxth floor. "No at swer." abe said, turning to Barbara and the detective. "If we sit behind these pillars and watch, we may in." said Barbara. They found two

shaded chairs

'You're sure you kno’ y— queried tta detective ”< ant take any chances on mistaken Identity, you k>ow A ault ft false arrest U a nasty thing for chap In my profession "

"No danger.'

him.

wa* past midnight — ben tta whom Barbara bad seen tarot-

through the main entrance of the hotel He was walking very last.

Barbara and the detective go straight to tta clerk.

The clerk handed him a slip of paper and be took it to the ca.hier

"He'a paying ' Barbara. "That

Ing out. Perhaps he's seen me." ' put tar in It- When she reached They watted without revealing, borne Fancy ran down tta step* to themselves unUI the man had re- meet tar and flung her arms about cclved bis change and caught an her “Gosh. If* been lonely elevator. Tta/ took the next one! here. Barbara—but what's the mat-

up.

Manner* was Just unlocking hi* door when tta delecire touched him on the shoulder The man started painfully and turned about, his eyes falling on Barbara. HU shoulders drooped and be stood still. "Probably don't need to tell you what for." drawled the officer. "You know all stout that little affair back In Philadelphia." Tea." said Manners, and then lifting hU ryes to Barbara's face: "Damn you!" She shrank back against the wall. “You can go along. Mlaa Haw- ’ said the detective. "Well run down to headquarters, and Fll let you know the plans about thU fel-

back to Intrude upon ■ Barbara waa f—ihHuff 1 pocket. The party—4toi r-

me. Do you re®

work.

As If In echo of hU words. Jimmy Jumped up from the dictation telephone and called to Wells. "Morrison wants to talk to you In a hurry!’ Every head In the office went up. and eye* fastened on Well* - face aa he talked. "New banner for the final.' Tie said to his assistant, as be bung up. "Manners has decided to talk. Told police this afternoon that young Reynolds knew the whole scheme and meant to meet him In Chicago and split the loot. Said the hue and cry scared him off." Barbara leaned against the desk. Byers .put s hand on tar arm "Why. MU* Hawley. «bat's Ita mailer' You aren't going to faint,

are you —

llu word* trailed off Into alienee. Barbara wondered what they meant, aa abe slipped from his

grasp to tta Boor.

When she awoke, the entire staff was gathered around ber. 'Tine new headline.” said somebody. "Girl reporter, feat arcoropllstad. faint* on teaching tome office." Barbara sat up. "Don't you dare." . ata said. In a tremulous voice,

bill." whispered ’ Then *he began to cry. be*a check-1 Someone ordered a taxicab and

feminine celebrities — watch the aesvlon* and give us all the laughs you can. That's what the great mama of people like. "Jeffrie* will go ahead and give us protection on all the preliminaries. Hell etay through the convention. You’ll only have to worry about the Interviews and ao forth " “Of course l*m thrilled over It. Mr. McDermott." answered Barbara. ber cheeks glowing. "When do I leave— “In about two weeks." waa tta

shoe*, a lane draws fop't luncheons and an evening dress beyond tar means. Fancy met ber as abe struggled up the apartment steps one night Just before the departs re. her arm* -full of packages. "Why. Babs." laughed the girl, taking some of ,1^1 /row tar. “you've bought out tta town." In Barbara's tiedroew they unpacked the dresses and shoe*, the sheer hose and del low** handaercblefa. "You'll look like a grand duchess once removed, when you descend upon the convention." laughed Fancy. "Honestly. Bab*, you ought to toy out tta town every once In a whlle. It gives you such a pretty color." Barbara glanced In the mirror It waa true She looked younger end prettier than lor many months "If* wonderful what clidhes will do lor you." she said. "I hadn't resitted bow few ol them I'd bad till I got these and began to get the kick out of them " “If* also wonderful what happiness will do for you." remarked Fancy, wisely "You look now aa If you tad something to live for." Barbara got up and whirled around on ber tiptoe*, to Fancy’i evident astonishment "1 have What more could I ask than a Chance to cover this Women's Fed erallon convention* It's tta chance of a lifetime." Fancy shook ner bead "I'm afraid I could aak more of life than a tiresome old convention, with a lot of upstage women to Interview. "But." eta brightened, “maybe

everything, and this gravy's curdled. Bata." she apologized "But 1 was determined you shouldn't have to (land out her* over this stove after you got home. You must ta too excited to breathe." Too tired to breathe. Instead. I think 111 slip Into a negligee for dinner. You're a dear to think of men this way. Fancy " Barbara's train was to leave at nine o'clock. She dressed, finished her |lacking and was ready to leave the bouse at eight Fancy hung about, visibly struggling against tears. Barbara stopped once and laughed. "Really. Fan. you act as if I were going to die. or somethin;;. Deal ta foolish. 111 be tack In a few days, and you 11 have a good rest while I'm gone " An almost imperceptible shadow passed over Barbara's face, but Fancy saw It. 1 "You needn't worry. Babs." abe cried. “I wool commit any crimes a bile you're gone 111 not tee anybody you don't want me to acc." Her face, childish and woebegone, moved Barbara to pity. "I kno* you won't, dear." she said, aa she went ont to tta waiting taxi. As she west down the steps a toy rushes, up and handed tar a to 1 of flowers. In the taxi she opened them and found Jerome Ball's card with tta single word. "Apologies " The trip waa tbe roost delightful on* that Barbara tad knosn She lay tiack In a chair on the obeervaUc« platform and watched a yellowmoon -*roe up far across tbe hills. Toward midnight abe went to bed and slept blissfully all night, relaxed from tbe knowelge that for a few hours at least no hungry press was salting for ber copy Breakfast was a new pleasure. Barbara ordered fruit and ego and honey and muffins and sat reveling in the gleaming linen and silverware. She had never lost her child’s delight In eating on the diner. She bad slipped a little volume of Anatole France In tar purse, but she was too happy to read Hbe wondered If perfect happiness not consist of Just one long Journey like this after another But

Barbara assented, somewhat willingly. Miss Perkins' room proved an enigma. It was cluttered with nondescript articles. There were two magnlflclent Spanish silk shawls, a milk bottle, an array of hlghbeeled slippers, a stack of copy paper on the floor, a broken fan on a chair and a much battered old trunk In one corner. "You see before you the sole fruits of an misspent life." said Mias Perkins. "Anybody that'd choose newspaper work deserves what he get*. That* all I say Though It Isn't ao bad for those of us who make a success." Barbara looked at the soman's shabby aboc* and at tbe lines between tbe sharp black eyes. “Yes." continued Molly. "It's going to be a great game tbls time. 1 ran show you tbe ropes If you like 111 sell my stuff to several of my regular magazine* and syndicate*. Always a market for it. you know. "And If you wish. I'd ta glad to conduct you around " Barbara fidgeted slightly. Thank you. 1 feai you'll ta too busy to bother with me. But I may call for

help."

Tbe woman brightened. “I've been In the game 2<i long years, my dear." she said. Again Batbara glanced at the cluttered room and the old trunk. 8ta shivered ever so slightly and rose to go. "I think I'll s» to hod. Miss Perkins. I’m very tired " Molly Perkins reluctantly followed her to the door As Barbara put her band on the knoh. tbe otbet woman said "Oh, by thq way *<>uid you lend me ten dollar# until Saturday' I ought to have a draft that hasn't got tare yet." Barbara looked in her purse. "I bavtn't It tn <**h. hut III go down and get a *r»veler's check cashed The woman ^ smile was brilliant Thank you *0 much " Barbara causal an elevator. Tbe lobby was still crowded with laughing group* of women. Barbara stared at him. 11ren she hastened to ..ie hotel register. Tire clerk opened the recent pages lor her. and she ran ber finer down tne column or arfrvals.

low."

Barbara turned and fled. When she reached her room, abe was shaking. The call from headquarters came half an hour later. "We're taking him tack to Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon. He's waived extra-

dition.

Barbara bung up the receiver. She rushed to the desk In tar room, wrote the story of Manners' rapture for her paper and hurried down to the telegraph office. It was nearly two o'clock when she went to tad. She was awakened at eight o'clock by tbe telephone. Mollle Perkins' querulous voice came over the wire. "Why. what became of you. my dear! You said you'd go down to the cashier and come rmbt hack. I waited and waited, but you ■lldnl come. I'ouldnl get you by phone either. Do you think that's a nice way to play — The petulance of the question angered 11*-bar* “I'm very sorry. Miss Perkin*, hut 1 forgot all aboul It. Something more important happened. I'm leaving for borne tbls afternoon." "Ob!" the ex< lamatlnn wa* sharp Barbara did not wait to hear mote Neither did ahe speak of tta ion dollar advance Miss Perkins bad expected. She bung Mp Tbe trip back to Philadelphia

Just now. Fancy, do it. I'm going t a great injury to to ta very fond of." The girl backed away, staring. She asked no questions. Barbara went Into her own room. A half tour later she emerged, dressed for outdoor*. Fancy looked at ber Inquiringly, but received no reply. Barbara went out. When abe rang tbe bell at Lydia Stacys door, tbe same white-capped Della ansvered tta ring. She greeted Barbara wltb a broad smile and called ber by name. "I never forget those I like, mlaa." ata explained. leading tbe way to the drawing room. It wa* some time toforc Lydia Stacy appeared. She waa wearing sapphire blue and her hair was carefully done, but her face had haggard lines that Barbara had no, seen before. "How do you do. Mis* Hawley— Tbe greeting was perfunctory "What Is It now*" Her manner suggested that this waa tbe 1*»< of a series of annoyance* for which Barbara bad been responsible. Barbara look a step nearer, not here for tbe Telegraph tbU time. Mr#. Stacy." Tbe woman's eyebrow* went up "No?" abe remarked uninterestedly "No." repeated Barbara crisply. "I’m here to talk to you about Bruce Reynolds." Lydia Stacy's shoulders straightened. "Wbal can we possibly have to say about him?" "This i» the situation bars talked rapidly. T back with Manners, and Manners has Implicated Brute In the scandal I 'know be Isn't guilty. You know It too. even better than I do. for you were involved In project I want you to testify for

Bruce "

Lydia Biacy met Barbara's earnest rjes Hhc shrugged her should- ' What an extraordinary thing

tbe spotlight than Miss Hawley. Darn they a Manners, but this yi like a square-shooter to t you expect to be called aa a Barbara shook tor bead, no—at least I bops not-” turned to look about tta 1 Tbe seats were filled aid a n

ttaadh

the rear walla The ; filled with a buzzing as of | bee*. Heads nodded and worked In ceaseless activity.'. Barbara turned back to the p group. "Isnl It crowd trials? Most c< the | tare are not Involved In this « at all. They're tare Just for ■ osity. Tbe prisoner U going * slaughtered to make a B

day."

"Oh. come now. do harsh. Miss Hawley." other reporter s “Curiosity Most human thing 1* I And If people werei ous you and I would tana o Nswspapering is bdlt a

oalty."

Barbara glanced again the room. "If* morbid." ■ "Reminds me of Dickens' pi a courtroom crowd, flic* seeking carrion.’ Ugh!” The man spoken looked at ber o didn’t know you felt 1 aboul this case ” supposed the 1 story got. the bettor for jr but you've deal Acres crowd • haven l you?" A film cat eyes. 8he could not a The crowd Increased 1 the opening of tbq 1 Barbara leans’ ber hand and closed open them a stir of the p trance of the Judge a She rote wtlh I was seated at a tab He did not see ber. I hind tbe breed 1 man reporter, who a They were seal dreary ritual beat tar eyes and tn togan phrase*. M from tta lawyei rap for order

gavel.

Then she beard J

very different from the one I )0 „ ,nould

> do. I scarcely understand why ! another 1

She opened her « and net his full * tervcnlng space, somber, gleaming < rings of shadows. He gave no sign _ Barbara turned ber a again survey, corner by a w a pretty, childish L started and looked a. the girl who had Bruce in the rain 1 passed them la fro* late shop. Following ber gaze reporter commented, nolda’ wife. Hard U why he married bar. Perfect picture of <

ence."

A* they waU took a stick of c her pocket, rwmc put tta whole stick in I st once. Barbara searched tta c

Barbara had taken

fore Save for a brief message i.om McDermott regarding her arrival In the < on vent ion <Jty ahe had had

no furftar word

The deputy stayed with hi# prisoner In a stateroom the whole day Only once did Barbara catch Man ner*' eye tn passing through the err He glared with hatred The station was crowded with curious people when the trio alighted from the train Barbara looked about her. at the kiaring men and women on the platform MeDermott waa waiting for ber at tta Telegraph office "Great stuff. Barbara.' ta said, bolding o ,l LU band "Sorry It happen, ' lust in time to *|iull the convention for you But Philadelphia I# wild re going u, need . >er>thing you know about the Manner*' rase ” lie went to the file* and pulled

t In my own > eye* were t

But no 1

make *0 unaccountable a 1 The hearing went on. request I know absolutely nothing 1 sat at the press ti stout the affairs of Bruce Reynolds i notes now and 1 or tbe Vale Acre* Company And - Bruce'* eyes. At tt 1 fail to see w by you should tolher j state's attorney w ai yourself about him. either" Her, ing away at bis prey oa gimlet eye* were upon Barbara'*; amlnatlon. blanched lac*. | "You mean to say that The girl drew herself up. "I am b * r 01 Hie Arm you did bothering myself because I wa# Manners' plans?" once very fond of Bruce Reynolds." _ Bract set his chin. “No," ►he raid, "and IbU Is the second tHdnl." time that fate ha* made me the j "You did not know tb«t t Instrument of ruin to him. I won't P* 1 ')’ hank deposits were

r Her*’ name— „

I tell you I won't bear; “• r » - name— reiterated t that he should blame me. I'm go-, tory. shaking a finger in ]

ing to clear him. and you are going i

to help me!" 1 Again the crowd 1 Astonishment and fury view In ' tighten “No." Lydia's face "Indeed Mlaa Haw- (he attorney plung, •*>'!’' ! cule. "Don't you know Barbara wa# sending by her, Jury’s duty to deeld, chair Lydia rose too. ao that tar ( member of a firm « led brown eye* fiaiued Into Bar- tCoutiuued op. Page Twelve) 1