Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 December 1936 — Page 14

f Sn

- -~ Le

BEGIN HERE TODAY The gaiety of the Christmas party at “Thunder Mesa,” the de Forest hacienda In New Mexico, has a tragie ending when Pearl Sam de Forest, oldest of three brothers, is found dead with a knife in his throat. Each of the de Forest brothers has the first name of “Pearl.” Pearl John is the youngest, Pearl Pierre next. Others at the house are Tante Josephine, old and an invalid; Betty Welch, her young companion; Ramon Vasquez and Angelique Abeyta, guests at the party; Prof. Shaw, archeologist, and Bob Graham, tire salesman whe stopped at the hacienda when his car broke down.

Pearl Pierre, now head of the family, | | some member of the household and

has his brother's body removed to the house chapel. The entire group as sembles there for funeral services and Is

shocked to find that the body has dis- |

appeared. That night Bob sees two figures moving away from the house, one obviously following the other. He tries to find out who they are, learns that all of the men, except himself, are away from the house. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

CHAPTER X1 NE by one, the men drifted back to the house. If any of them had met on the mesa or were aware of the others’ missions, they did not mention the fact. Only Pearl Pierre made any remark about why he had been outside. “I think the road up the canyon will be passable tomorrow,” he announced. “It has stopped snowing. The men from Santa Fe may have found they could not get through and turned back.” He looked at the assembled company as though expecting contradiction, but, when no one answered, he walked away. Soon the other went to their rooms. They were all more tired than they cared to admit. The next quez sought out Prof. Shaw and invited him into his room, “I've been wondering, Professor, about your archeological work here on the mesa,” Ramon said when he had seated the older man comfortably. “I've been following the uncovering of these pre-historic pueblos with a lot of interest.” His manner was There was now none of the brusque suspicion he had displayed so recently toward the professor. ‘You may not have guessed that from what I said yesterday, but my nerves were pretty well shot. Please forget about that.” “It never did disturb me, young ” replied the archeologist coolv. “As a man of science, I recognize, of course, the near hysteria every one in this houschold has been feeling. on the old pueblos—are you interested as most of the tourists are or does research really mean something to you?” sn 5 ”

1 interests me so much, Prof. Shaw, that I've put in several months excavating in this neighborhood and. when Pearl John de Forest told me, in Santa Fe, about Thunder Mesa, I wangled an invitation out of him to come up. I'm trying to get my notes on my work in shape now to be published. That's why it caught my attention when you said you'd been looking around up here.” “Ah!” The professor glanced at him sharply, and Ramon could not be sure whether he was pleased or not. “Then you're not just a dabbler-—a collection of arrowheads. I didn’t think you were interested in archeology, somehow. Young people are generally looking forward, not back into the dim ages of antiquity. So you thought Thunder Mesa might be interesting, eh?” “Yes,” answered Ramon. “I was glad to come here, though, of course, I didn’t expect I'd be stepping into a murder mystery. But that obsidian knife caught my attention. I was interested when you said it probably had some religious significance. Have you found any signs of old Indian pueblos on this mesa?” “Oh, yes,” answered the professor. “At one time, there must have been a great many people living here in what was probably a very extensive pueblo. Of course, you know the Indians liked to build on high places, especially an elevation like Thunder Mesa, which has only one trail down to the plains below.” “Protection against enemies and all that,” Ramon offered the professor a cigar. “And there's plenty of water here, apparently.” “Yes. This house is built on the foundations of the main pueblo,

and the hacienda well is the same | one the Indans used. But I've been |

unable to make any first-hand examination of the ground plan of the pueblo, for the house basement | seems to have been constructed | right over it, and the present] owners are not at all interested in| tearing up the floor of their cellar | to further archeological knowledge. | That perhaps is not astonishing when you come to think about it.” 1 suppose not,” Ramon, agreed. with a smile. "I can't imagine | any of the de Forests allowing | much excavation to be done under | their floor boards. But the sacred | knife must have come from right here, then?” “I'm not sure about that,” Prof. | Shaw said. “They never would say. | Claimed they did not know, in fact, | but if I could determine that point | it would be an important step for- |

i | i

= = =

morning Ramon Vas- |

But about the work |

‘main in this narrow

py =

Cn el

| what, Professor—suppose we work centrics a few years more, I imagine

| together.” . ” ”

OR a moment the professor | AMON agreed, remarking that seemed to be turning this over |

in his mind. Then he nodded. “I can't see that it would do any harm to any one,” he said. “Cer-

tainly the museum is only inter- | ested in the artifact, not in solving| “No. But I suppose it has been We may owe it returned to the safe where it was

a murder mystery.

to ourselves and the other innocent | kept,” the professor said. people who are all housed here with | want to mention such a painful

a maniac, likely to go into action again any minute.” “You think, then, that it was | not one of the outside guests?” Ramon asked. “Not the slightest doubt about it.” The professor's tone was posi- | tive, “No one could live here with | the family, as I have, for any length {of time and not be convinced that any one of them had sufficient cause to drive him to murder if a | little extra pressure were brought. | It's the most interesting group of people I ever came in contact with. A group whose naturally strange dispositions are accentuated by iso-

lation. If the young man could get terest,

away, he probably would be quite normal but, kept here with these ec-

Ti [|OLIDAY =23 sai MYSTE

gy - Tree sent es rr PPA tn Re .

Tw. .

' he will be just like the others.”

Pearl John seemed rather a | decent sort of chap. Then he asked | |if the professor had seen the ob-

| sidian knife since the murder.

“I didn’t

| subject to either of the brothers, but I have worried about the artifact myself. In the excitement it might so easily be mislaid or cast aside with a feeling of repugnance.”

“Since you're so keen about the knife, Professor, let's hope it has been kept safely,” answered the younger man, holding the door open for the archeologist. Ramon watched the professor walk down the hall, then shut the door, and, lighting a pipe, sat down to think over what he had heard. So there was an ancient building under the hacienda—a building {about which the de Forest brothers | pretended a surprising lack of in-

(To Be Continued)

| I» second time. All about him, | the office typewriters clacked in his ears. Martha was coming home! shout for joy. Instead, he suddenly crumpled the ' letter in his hand, and his face | sobered. It wasn’t just plain Martha | Dillon who was returning for a visit to her home town, but Martha { Dillon, the star radio singer, who | earned more in five broadcasts than | he did in a year. As he

| finger—a ring made in the form of | two links. Martha had one just | like it.

| He could remember her exact | great, many people, but he was (words the day they had got the aware of none of them. Finally,

rings:

“As long as we wear these, Jack, | ments, he escaped to the veranda.

| we are pledged to each other. If | you should ever change your mind

| about me, please don’t come to me |

land tell me. I couldn’t stand that. Just take your ring off.” He'd laughed at the idea of his ever changing his mind, and he'd

| been sure Martha wouldn't change | *

| hers. Martha was so completely | loyal. | = ” EJ HEN, 10 months ago, there had | IL come to Martha the offer from ‘the New York broadcasting studio. [Jack himself had urged her to ac- | cept it. | “It's my fault we're not able to marry now, dear. See a little of the {world before you tie yourself down | to a poor guy like me.” Martha, however, had hesitated. [ “You know I'm ready to marry | you any time you say the word. If | penses——" | “That's out, Martha! When I can | swing things along, we'll get mar- | ried, but not until then.” 8 a =»

i HE parting had been the hardest of all. “Have a swell time, honey,” Jack | had mumbled, “and forget about | me for a while. I'm going to work {so hard making the boss come | through with a raise that I won't | have time to miss you.” | Martha had smiled—a misty kind of smile, “What a bum liar!” she had mocked gently. “And you've almost | twisted your ring off your finger. . « » You'll get that raise, Jack.” It had taken him, however, 10 months to get it. He had got it | only a week ago—and it amounted | to very little. Meanwhile, in New York, Martha had clicked phenomenally. No one was more amazed than she, her letters had told him. They had | told him, also, that she still loved | him, but there had been a lot of | chatter about all the famous persons she was meeting—successful men and women. He hadn't resented it, { think. . ..

| OW, she was coming home— and he knew suddenly, though | [he was now in a position to marry |

| her, that he couldn't ask her to relittle world, erubbing for existence—couldnt expect her to give up the glamorous life to which she had become accustomed. “Are you ill, Jack?”

His mind was jerked abruptly

back to the office. Mae Barnes, the boss’ attractive secretary, was standing in front of his desk. “Uh-—no. Just day-dreaming, I'm afraid . . ." His eyes hand and, suddenly, an inspiration came to him, Mae was a friend

he spoke what was in his mind. Mae grinned elfishly. “You want me to wear your ring? Why, Mr. Hildie, this is so sudden!” “Just for one evening, Mae. I

[only you'd agree to our sharing ex-’

ward in our knowledge of the early (know it's asking a lot, but Marinhabitants of this continent. There | tha's—Miss Dillon's parents are hav-

certainly it not another knife just like it in existence.” “Why don't you ask the Indian servant about it?” “I've tried repeatedly, but only shakes his head and pretends he doesn’t understand, though I hear he is connected in some way with the tribe which lived here originally. The professor rose. “Have I answered any of the things you wanted to know? I'm sure I haven't told you a thing any of the family would not have been willing to tell you, if they didn't have so much else on their minds just now.” “Thats just it” Ramon an“You see, as a

the

ing a home-coming party for her at the hotel on Friday. If you'll go with me and wear the ring, I— | well —" “You don't need to explain,” Mae said, with quick understanding. “I'll ve glad to do it.” Martha was to arrive at 3 o'clock jon Friday. From noon on, Jack | watched the clock. What would she think when he wasn't at the station to meet her?” His answer came in the form of a telephone call. The sound of h soft contralto started his bounding. He tried to keep voice even as he told her he sorry he hadn't been able to get the station—something had come ull. x Martha “I you tonight then, Jack?” “Yes,” he replied flatly,

RING OF TRUTH

By William H. Pears Daily Short Story CK HILDIE read the letter a | sight of him and, as soon as the

He wanted to open his mouth and |

! said quickly. “I'm glad to—to see sat there, seeing things | clearer and clearer, he found him- | conciliatory. | self twisting the gold ring on his | months.

| * 8 #

| |

| | |

| a catch in Martha’s voice. | —did it happen?”

| He went through the rest of the

| self nervously trying to twist a ring

music stopped, left her partner and made her way toward him, As she crossed the ballroom, he saw that she was a little more poised, a little | more lovely. She was smiling happily. Then, she noticed Mae with him, and the smile was gone. Her eyes, as though drawn by a magnet, went straight to the ring on Mae's left hand. “This—this is Miss Barnes,” Jack

you, Martha.”

That was all, after 10 long

' evening automatically. He made a great many motions, talked to a

when Mae left him for a few mo-

N his abstraction, he almost bumped into Martha before he saw her standing by the railing. She turned. “Oh . it's you

“Yes,” he said stupidly.

“She’s . lovely.” There was “When

“Please, Martha,” he begged, “let’s not talk about it.” She put a hand on his sleeve. “I always said, Jack, that I didn't want to be told. Well, I've changed my mind. Somehow, I want to know all about it.”

“It happened right after you left. I—I was lonely,” he mumbled. “You mean she's worn your ring all that time?” He nodded. “I fell in love—that's all there is to it, Martha. I'm sorry.” Suddenly, she laughed, and there was a strange lilt to her laughter. Jack was startled. “I tore up a contract to come back and marry you, Jack Hildie,” | she told him, “and that's what I'm going to do! Ten months should be long enough to break a habit, darling. Look what you're doing this minute!” He looked down and found him-

that was no.longer on his finger. ... THE END (Copyright, 1936. by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) The characters in this story are fictitious. ———————————

Ask The Times

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply

WERE ASKIN' YOU, LIKE SENTLEMEN, AT FIRST, TO GET OFF OUR | LEASED LANDEXAMINE THIS YEARS LEASE~ THEN SCRAM!

()

LL 4 Wy

x )

LCT Tr

FEAR

DEC, 193é

1 THE A SCENE A LS

eal ows > ANY. CITY

when addressing any question of fact or information to The Indianapolis Times Washington Service Bureau, 1013 13th-st, N. W., Washington, D. C. Legal and medical advice can not be given, nor can extended research be undertaken.

but it had made him |

lit on her ringless left |

| | Q—What is the legal definition of | | the term “assault and battery”? A—“An assault is an unlawful attempt or offer, on the part of one man with force or vioience, to inflict a bodily hurt upon another.” “A battery is a willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.” The actual offer to use force to the injury of another person is assault; the use of it is battery; hence the two terms are commonly combined in the term | “assault and battery.” :

Q—Describe the King's Orb that | is used in the coronation ceremony | of the Kings of England. | A—It is a golden ball surmounted by a beautiful jeweled cross. The orb and cross signify the domina-

: \ {tion of the Christian religion over . She'd help him out. : of his. spur of *p ho | the world. It is placed in the King’s

left hand at the coronation.

Q—How many American soldiers | went to France during the World ! War and how many saw active service at the front? A—The total number in France was 2,084.000 and 1,390,000 saw active service at the front.

Q—What dates in the Christian calendar correspond to Iyar 26, 5684, and Heshvan 3, 5690, in the Jewish calendar? A—May 30, 1924, and Oct. 25 1830, respectively. Q—Which high school in the

United States has the largest enrollment of pupils?

A—The DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City has an enroliment of about 10,100.

it become effective? A-—It was enacted in August, 1935, and became effective Jan. 1, 1936. Q—-Did William Randolph Hearst support President Roosevelt in 1832? A—Yes. Q—What is the name for animals that feed only on plants? :

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS

1 HOPE YOULL HAVE ENOUGH SENSE, FRECKLES, TO REALRZE THAT AN EDUCATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PUPPY

ell ALLEY OOP [NOW “THAT “TUNK HAS TURNED UP, SHOOTIN’ OFF HIS BAZOO, THERE'S NO TELLIN

WHEN HELL IMPLICATE

AND THEN THEY'LL BE SURE TO LEARN THAT YOU WERE

GRIN AND BEAR IT

“The court alienist says you got the mentality of a child of 10—but don’t worry—I'll

AWP- OOOH’ HOH - WHY DIDN'T | HAVE

SENSE ENOUGH

TO BUY OR LEASE? OM,

THIS 1S AWFUL!

IT'S NOT PUPPY

LOVE...[TS THE § REAL THING! Jz 74 7

STILL THINK HE'S PUTTIN' ONE OVER ON us - TO TAKE A PIECE OF THIS

TH' SHOCK HE GOT’

JR win iamMe

rv”. Cir. / 1555) 3 HAP

fo ' ) NONSENSE’ GET THAT IDEA

OUT OF YOUR HEAD! KIDS YOUR AGE DON'T KNOW WHAT WOVE 18! CONCENTRATE YOUR ENERGY y

ALONG MORE USEFUL LINES Y — pr >

FLAPPER FANNY

RCTS AND

IM GOIN!

“Don’t you feel sorry for the store clerks this week, Fanny?” “Sure do. It would be swell for them if the only things exchanged

were Christmas greetings.”

ont ——

HIM — ME =) -\WHY

Y/ RIDE THERE KID. HOP INTO MY CAB/

WHY, WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE 1 GOT UP AT FIVE EVERY MORNING TO MILK THE Cows AND CHURN BUTTER... THEN I WALKED SEVEN MILES

—By Al Capp |

SS —————— R U,KID=ITS i ery. JY , QC REE REIN AS

1S EASY- w YEAR'S

YOU A

—By Blosser |

(WEN I WAS YOUR AGE ...WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE !! SHUCKS! THAT'S ALL YOU OLDER PEOPLE SAY TO KIDS .... YOU KNOW WE HAVEN'T A SAME THING BACK AT you !

‘vy Wn, . REx SAL oH,

—By Hamlin

eg ee _

[..-THEN THIS BIG RENEGADE SAWALLIAN JUMPED ME -LIKE J T'BEAT ME T'DEATH -

OU GUY WITH

get it reduced to 5!”

arms is

15 Slack.

18 Wallet.

east. 20 Heavy

point. 27 Grain,

opinion.

37 Half an 39 Myself.

WITH A PROPOSITION, HE AND

WELL, THIS MUG COME | ANOTHER FELLA, A SKINNY

WHISKERS, AND, ON HIS H

HORIZONTAL

1 What country’s coat of N

tured here? [90 8 Mountains in |R this country. R 10 Its capital. E 14 Class of birds. [SIP

16 Entrance. 17 Local position.

19 Opposite of

hammers. 22 To originate. 24 Form of “a.” 26 Compass

29 Fanatical in

33 Gristly tissues 54 Foreigner. 34 Circle part. 35 Abounds.

40 Time gone by.

A LOT OF

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

12 Haze. ‘13 To accompany 21 Twisted. i 23 To charge with gas. 25 Inspired by love of country. 27 English cdin.) 28 Twitching, * 30 Era. 31 Honey gatherer. 32 Distinctive theory. 36 Midday nap. 38 Pertaining to) the nose. 39 Heavenly food. 40 Young salmon. 41 On the lee.) 42 Pace. 43 Balsam. 45 Sanskrit dialect. 46 To perish. 47 File, 48 Jar. 49 Secular,

Answer to Previous Puzzle

ONE LIL LEMARICIAE RIABNIEIS|S | [ZIE T

EUGENE ONEILL

H TIT! INE BP IN R EINEM, | R[MACITO

VERTICAL 1 Free theater ticket. 2 Bad. 3 Network. 4 Consumed. 5 Pertaining to Alps. 6 Highest intellect. 7 Drone bee. 8 Actual being. 9 Appears.

pic- |

A Y R |

D - ED Pp

K N 0

A E E Vil A : T

44 Footless animals. 47 Part in a drama. 50 Singing voice. 51 Glossy silk. 52 Sound of SOrrow. 53 Roll of film.

55 To slash. 56 It is a ——, 57 Animal common in this 10 Grass plot, country. 11 Thought.

em.

“Just As Good” Is Out of Style . . . Insist on

POLK’S MILK

Call Cherry 7183

§ 5 SE