Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 24, Number 210, Decatur, Adams County, 4 September 1926 — Page 3

W dPV .‘.I * 'rtfiwbv Ife GIRL in the I MIRROR I Elizabeth eJordan > < WNU Servloe |

■ ■“ ‘““‘■' 7 '‘" ‘ ••“■•'* M » E elbow heavily upon It. and M w7be Ar* tllue loolled SQUl,r *‘ ly ■ <«e W the other of bls friends. 9 " a . iocied.be tried to speak. They H .fee effort ar.,l Its failure, and uu ■ Stood both. With a gesture of ■ te <urr ‘‘ d hll ba,k B teord then-, sad stood with sagging ■ ~lm and eyes fixed on the empty ■ rile Epstein s nerves snapped. H Gode sake. I'evon." he begged. ■ -cut out the salts! Tell us vot you ■ B t 00 yonr chest, and tell It quick.” M uurie turned and once more met ■ H. .res Under the look Epstein's ■ shifted. ■ "IB goiu* to.” I aurle said quietly B lid itUl in those new. flat tones. B -That’s «I*y I've brought you here. B But-its a hard Job. You see"—his B voice ajaln lost »• steadfneas-'Tve ■ to hurt you —alt of you—most awB fully. And and that's the hardest ■ »,rt of this business for me.” ■ Doris, now staring up at him. told ■ jerstlt that she could not endure hd ■ ether moment of this tension. She ■ bred not glance at either of the oth- ■ ers. but she heard Epstein's heavy B breathing and the creak of Rodney ■ Bang! chair as he suddenly changed ■ ill position. I "He killed Herbert Shaw.” she al- ■ most whispered. ■ For a long moment there was utter ■ alienee In the room, through which I the words Just spoken seemed to ■ Kurry like living things, anxious to I be out and away. I.aurie, his eyes on I the girl, show ed no change In his poI gtlon, though a spasm crossed his face. Epstein, putting up one fat hand, feebly beat the air with ft as If trying to push back something that was approaching him, something intangible but terrible. Bangs alone seemed at last to have taken in the full meaning of the curt announcement. As if It had galvanized him into movement, he sprang to his feet and. head down, charged the situation. "What the devil is she talking about?” he cried out. “Laurie! Wbat tees she mean?” "She told you." Laurie spoke as quietly as before, but without looking up. "You—mean—ft's—true ?" Rodney still spoke in a loud, aggressive voice, as if trying to awaken himself and the others from a nightmare. “Take It in,” muttered Laurie. “Pull yourselves up to it. I had to.” An uncontrollable shudder ran over him. As If his nerve hr'’ suddenly riven way, he dropped his head on - <4Wk-»»w> u . Bangs si <>d staring at him inT ’ pefactlon through which a slow tremor ran. “I—l can’t take It In.” he stammered st last. ”1 know. That’s the way I felt.” Laurie spoke without raising his head Bangs, watching him, saw him shudder again, saw that his legs were giving under him, and that he was literally holding to the mantel for support The sight steadied his own nerves. He pushed his chair forward, and with an arm across the other’s shoulder, forced him down Into It. “Then In God’s name, why are we wasting time here?" he suddenly demanded. "Your car’s outside. I’ll drive you—anywhere. We’ll get out of the country. We’ll travel at night and He low in the daytime. Tull yourself together, old man.” Urgently, he Srasped the other’s shoulder. “We’ve got things to do." Laurie shook his head. He tried to smile There was something horrible In the resulting grimace of his twisted mouth. "There were only two things to do,” lie said doggedly. “One was to tell You three. I’ve done that. The other *M to tell the district attorney. I’ve fl «ne that, too.” Bangs recoiled as If from a physical blow. Epstefn, who had slightly roused himself at the prospect of acBon. sank back Into a stunned, gogsilence. “Yes," Laurie was pulling himself together. "We’re friends, you know, forking and I," be went on. more naturally, "I’ve seen a good deal of him I’tely. ne will make It as easy as he Mn - He lias taken my parole. I’ve «"t-till morning." He let them take that In. Then, very simply, he added, have promised to be in my rooms •' ulght o’clock." Under this, like a tree-trunk goes •own with the final stroke of the ax, Bodney Bangs collapsed. "My G—d !” he muttered. “My— c -d I" He fell into the nearest chair •fd sat there, his head In his shaking hands. As if the collapse of his friend were • call to his own strength, I.aurle suddenly gat up and took himself In hand. “Now listen,” he said. “Let’s take this sensibly. We’ve got to thresh out the .situation, _and here.’s our Jast

chance. 1 want to make one thing clear. Shaw was pure vermin. There’s no place for bls sort In a decent world, and I have no more regret over—over exterminating him than I would have over killing a snake. . I.ater, Miss Mayo will tell you why." Under the effect of the clear, dispassionate voice, almost natural again, Epstein began to revive. “It vas self-defense," he croaked eagerly. He caught at the Idea as If It were a life-line, and obviously began to drag himself out of a pit with Its help. "It vas self-defense," he repeated. “You vas fighting, I s’pose. That lets you out." “No.” Laurie dolly explained, “he wasn’t armed. I thought he was. I thought he was draw-ing gome weapon. He had used chloroform on me once before. I was mistaken. But no Jury will believe that, of conrse." His voice changed and flatted again. His young figure seemed to give in the chair, as If Its muscles sagged under a new burden. For a moment he sat silent. “We may as well face all the facts." he went on. at last. “The one thing I won’t endure Is the horror of a trial.” “But you’ll get off.” choked Epstein. "It’s self-defense —It’s —It’s —” “Or a hraln storm, or temporary Insanity I" I.aurie Interrupted. “No, old chap, that Isn’t good enough. No padded cell for me! And I’m not going to have my name dragged through the courts and the case figuring In the newspapers for months. I’ve got a reason I think you will all admit Is a good one.” Again his voice changed. “That would break my sister's heart," he ended brokenly. At the words Bangs uttered an odd sound, half a gasp and half a groan. Epstein, again In hfs pit of wretchedness, caught It “Now you see the Job ve’ve done!” he muttered. “Now you see how ve looked after him, like she told us to!" Bangs paid no attention to him. “What are you going to do?" he heavily asked Laurie. “I’ll tell you, on one condition—that you give me your word, all three of you, not to try In any way to Interfere or to prevent It. You couldn’t, anyway, so don't make the blunder of trying. You know what I’m up against. There’s only one way out." He looked at them In turn. Ports and Epstein merely stared back, with the effect of not taking In what he was saying. But Bangs recoiled. "No, by G—-d!” he cried. “No! No!” Laurie went' Ou <«• if it had not spoken (If rooms at eight o'clock tomorrow morning,” he muttered, and they had to strain their ears to catch the words. "I did not promise to be —alive’.” This time It was Porls who gasped out something that none of them heard. For a moment I.aurie sat silent In his chair, watching her with a strange intentness. Then, in turn, his black eyes went to the faces of Bangs and Epstein. Huddled In the big chair he occupied, the manager sat looking straight before him, his eyes set In agony, his Jaw dropped. He had the aspect of a man about to have a stroke. Bangs sat leaning forward, staring at the floor. The remaining color had left his face. He appeared to have wholly forgotten the presence of others In the room. He was muttering something tn himself, the same thing over and over and over: “And It’s all up to us. It’s—all—up —to—us." ’ For an Interval which none of the three ever forgot Laurie watched the tableau. Then, rising briskly, he ostentatiously stretched himself, and In loud, cheerful tones answered Rodney’s steady babble. “Yes, old chap, it’s all up to you," he said. “So what do you think of this as a climax for the play?” • Grinning down at his pal, he waited for a reply. It did not come. Epstefn was still unable to speak or move. Doris seemed to have heard the words without taking them in. But at last Bangs rose slowly, groped his way to his chum as If through a fog, and, catching him by the shoulders, looked wildly Into his eyes. “You mean—you mean,” he stuttered at last, “that—that—this—was—all—a—hoax?" "Os course it was," Laurie admitted, In his gayest voice. "It was the climax of the hoax you have played on me. An hour ago Shaw confessed to me how you three arranged this whole plot of Miss Mayo's adventure, so that I should be kept out of mischief and should think I was having an adventure myself. I thought a little excitement was due you In return. How do you like my climax, anyhow? Pretty flair, I call IL” He stopped short. Jlodney bad

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1926

TutlU-nkfl ou uli suvumvrS uhd stumbled to a chair. Now, bls arm on the back and his head on his arm. his body shook with the relentless convulsion of a complete nervnns collapse. Epstein had produced a handkerchief and was feebly wiping bls forehead. Doris seemed to have ceased to breathe. Laurie walked over to her. took her hands, and drew them away from her face. Even yet, she seemed not to understand. “I’m sorry," he said, very gently. "I’ve given you three an awful Jolt. Bnt I think you will all admit that there was something coming to you. You’ve put me through a pretty bad week. I decided you could endure half an hour of reprisal." - (TO HE CONTINUED) | REGISTRATION BOARD MEETS (Continued From Page Two) ready this morning, Marshall Williams, secretary of the state committee, said to secure what is expected to be the mos complete legistration ever marl'? in Indiana. Precinct committeemen and women, with the aid of other par’v woikers, will carry forward the work, he stated. Four classes of persons must register In order to be eligible to vote, under an agreement being worked out between the Democratic and Republican parties to accept as valid th? amendments to .the registration law passed by the last legislature. Thes° are: Persons not 21 years of age at the election in November 1924, who are now or will on November 2 this year be 21; persons who did not vote . - -■ ■ ~ —y- —

Here’s a treat Sor you and yours in the Peppermint-flavored, sugar-coated jacket. Another treat in the Peppermintflavored gum inside the sugar coat. That’s Wrigley’s P. K. Chewing Sweet —utmost value in long-l-a-s-t-i-n-g delight. ’ It’s really double value —- outside and inside —a double treat. And it’s double value in the pleasure and benefit it JyJ irlHila provides. Ml / ..~iuigisv’ s jest to work anu -v< V I ohm urr a A A ’ l *1 I % See The j POINT? % ♦ n 0 Son: “Saving two dollars a week will never get ME any- g B where.” 1 Father: “Where will saving ' 8 O nothing get you?” K H Think this over. Then adopt f ® our Systematic Saving Plan. I 1 B Capital and Surplus . $ 120,000.Q1T

at the genera! election In 1924, Persons who voted then but have since moved out of th«- precinct where they voted, and persons whose precinct boundaries have been changed sine 1924 election. I SCHOOLS WILL OPEN NEXT WEEK (CONTINVED FROM FACE ONE) were 272 pupils registered in the high school last year. The ward schools will open at 8:00 o'clock Tuesday mo. ning and the teachers will hand out the supply lists to the pupils. The schools will be dismissed then to permit the pupils to obtain their supplier and the ward i school teachers will hold an organization meeting at 9 o’clock. Classes , in the ward school will convene at 1 , o’clock Tuesday afternoon for regular I work. All children who will be six years old by next Monday will be permitted ! to enroll in the primary grade of the pupblic schools. All school buildings in the city and county have been placed in proper repair for the opening of school. o ■ - Fort Wayne Man Admits Robbing Stores At Ossian Charles-flohnloze. 22. of Fort Wayne. » confessed Friday that he robbed the t Wilson Brothers hardware store, the > Sanitary grocery, the Devalt barber s shop and the Bushee shoe store at i Ossian on various occasions in the last

few months. The confession was obtained after much of the loot taken from the Ossian stores was recovered at the Johnloze home In Fort Wayne Johnloze was returned to Bluffton late Friday evening by Sheriff McClain, of I Welk count. The man was granted a parole ftom the stat.: penal farm, recently — o Mrs. Robert Hillegas. of Huntertown, is spending the week end here with Mr. and Mrs. Ben Schrank, o TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Popular Premium Automobile Policies Nos. 118, 121, 123 and 125 of the Pleas«nt Mills,' Indiana Agency of this Company, have been mislaid, lost, destroyed or stolen from the office of Mr. E. W. France and this is to notify tny person or persons holding the (hove policies the same are void and >f no effect. Northwestern National Insurance Co. Mr. E. W. France, idvt. 20'1 3t Pleasant Mills, Ind. Typewriting Stenographic Work If you have tiny extra typewrit •’ ing or stenographic work I will be glad to do it. Phone 42 for appointment. Florence Holthouse Judge J. T. Merryman’s Law Office, K. of C. Bldg. Gene Stratton-Porter A little story of the life, work and ideals of “The Bird Woman” Sold by Librarian, Decatur, Indiana Wildflower Woods, Rome City, Ind. and by agents along Limberlost Trail 1 Price SI.OO The proceeds of which will be appliedon the Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Fund. This book is now out of print. It cannot be supplied by the publishers. ■ ■■»>< x - —

THE GREAT I DECATUR FAIR I Continues over Sunday and Monday Sept. 5-6 I Monster Labor Day Celebration | Monday, September 6 g Special Attractions and Races! Grand Stand Concert and Free gate Sunday I Positively The Best Fair Ever I Held In Adams County I H Come Early - Stay Late |

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