Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 December 1936 — Page 21

seo YS

BEGIN HERE TODAY The galety of the Christmas party at “Thunder Mesa,” the de Forest ha. cienda In New Mexico, has a tragic 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 Vasgquex and Angelique Abeyia, guests at the parity; Prof. Shaw, archeologist, and Bob Graham, tire salesman who stopped at the hacienda when his car broke down. Pearl Plerre, now head of the family, has his brother's body removed to the house chapel. The entire group assem bles there for funeral services and is thocked to find that the body has disappeared, Prof. Shaw tells Ramon that “Thunder Mesa” is built on the foundation of an ancient Indian pueblo. Ramon and Angeligus see Pearl Pierre poking about the embers of the burned Christmas greens. Broken Shield, an Indian servant, is alse walching as Pearl Pierre stoops, picks up something and hurriedly departs, NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

CHAPTER THIRT:EN AMON and Angelique waited until Pearl Pierre had gone, and the Indian, too, had walked slowly back to his post. Then they ventured from their hiding place. “You'd better wait here and watch to see that no one comes from the house while I go see what disturbed de Forest so,” Ramon said, walking toward the ash pile. Then he, too, gave a start, and the exclamation Which burst from his lips brought the girl running. “What it is, Ramon? Oh-—" Her voice trailed off in b rror. Visible among the mass of twisted, blackened boughs that had been the Christmas tree was a portion of a human arm—apparently Pearl Sam's arm, the hand looking much as it had when they had seen it

with the candle dripping on it, ex- |

cept gone, Angelique swayed weakly and Ramon grasped her, pressing her face down on his shoulder. “Quick, let's get out of here, before he comes back!” He led her, stumbling, through the snow. “Not one word of this, Angelique, to any one,” Ramon warned. “Let Pearl Piefre make the first move; then we'll have something to hold over him.” “Then the body isn't in a secret room—." relief in her tone. “I— I'm afraid of him, Ramon. He's got a face like the devil tha! haunted the good Saint—" Ramon interrupted. “Listen now, dearest. All you have to do is be vourself with Pearl Pierre, and you can find out anything he knows. I've seen him watching you, and I know his type.” “But, Ramon, if he'd burn Pearl Sam's body, he might—"

that now the gold ring was

LE n n

NGELIQUE.” He raised her face to his. “Trust me just a little, won't you? It's plain as can be that Pearl Pierre murdered his brother and then burned the evidence of his crime, but only you and I know it.” “And perhaps the Indian,” Angelique reminded him. “Maybe he did it instead of Pearl Pierre. That knife--" “We the

don't know whether

Indian knows or not. He didn't go | again. It's the only way. What's) when Brulier was here.

to look at the ash pile, remember.” “Because he might have known

alrcady what was there,” she an- |

swered. “Yes, but Pearl Pierre is the one who really profits by his brother's

death. Don’t forget that he is the |

head of the family now and has the say-so about a lot of things—the family money, for instance.” “They do seem to be rich, don't they? Though none of them do any work. Then they must have money put away some place. that what you think, Ramon?” “I know it.” he answered with conviction, “Pearl John as much as told me that down in Santa Fe, when he'd had a couple of drinks.” But the girl's mind was back again on what they had seen among the ashes, and pressed closer. “What do you suppose he's going to do now, Ramon? About that-—I mean.” “He'll probably finish up his job so no one else will stumble on evidence that could be used agains: him. See what'd I tell you?” Pearl Pierre, carrying a large can, emerged from the Kitchen end of the house, and circled around toward the edge of the mesa. Ramon and Angelique hurried around the corner of the house, so that they would not meet him. “Remember now-—-not a word to any one, dearest,” Ramon warned again as they came into the patio. “1 promise not to tell, Ramon. if you think we shouldn't,” she answered, ~ » » EARL JOHN met them in the hallway. Instantly was all smiles and coquetry, and as

Ramon watched her talking with |

their host, he had to admit she was a good actress.

“Almost too good,” he told him- |

self. “If she was against a fellow instead of for him—look out! I'll wager she'll have Pearl Pierre's humber before night.” “Where's Bob?" he asked. “Down at the garage, looking over his car,” Pear! John answered. “It would sound silly, wouldn't it. for me to say how awfully sorry I am that all this had to happen, so you have to stay here? But my brother's sure the men will come today from Santa Fe. Then maybe we can get things straightened out.” “What things?” demanded Ramon, looking at him coldly. “What are you going to tell the officers if they do come—which I doubt?” “What do you mean by that?” Pearl John asked. “That nobody has been sent for.” Ramon answered. “I don't think Pearl Pierre is anxious for outsiders to come mixing into his private affairs, if you want to know.”

For a moment the younger de |

Forest did not answer, then he said,

through set lips, “I only know what | I'm

my brother said he had done. sorry if you don’t believe it. However, T can assure you that the road down the canyon is being opened at this very minute. I sent the men to

Is!

she shivered and!

Angelique |

The |OLIDAY It

RY.

Zz ” 7 A a RB mens worked up an appetite walking on the mesa.” “You mean you walked farther than the courtyard?” demanded Pearl John. “Does Pearl Pierre | know that? He left strict orders] for nobody to leave the house un- | less we were told where they were going.”

‘Don't worry about that” was |

Ramon’'s cool weply. “Your cursed

Indian guard was on the job at | the head of the trail as usual, and

‘no one is likely to try jumping off the edge of this place. We're very much prisoners on Thunder

Mesa, Pearl John, as you know only |

too well, so don't let our short walk disturb you.” Pearl John started to say something, then. evidently changed his mind. After a minute he excused himself, saying that he would see about hurrying luncheon. “How much do you think he knows, Ramon?” Angelique asked, curiously looking after their host. | “Sometimes I think he's very very { nice, Then again——" “He's probably not a bad sort when he's left to himself,” he repiied, “but I wouldn't put thing past any one of them when they're together. Listen to that now, will you.” Shrill screams came from the direction of Tante Josephine's room, bringing several maids running from the rear building. Betty, too, ran in from the porch with a watering

any- |

- »

7 ~ pot in her hand. Angelique rushed up to her. | = “ HAT'S the matter, Betty?” “I don't know. She was taking a nap when I left her”, gasped Betty. “Here, take this, will | you?” . { Tante Josephine’s door was open | when they got there and the old woman was standing in the middle | of the room, pounding her gold- | headed cane on the floor and screaming wildly. Flecks of foam | showed on her shriveled lips, and her short white hair was in dis- | order, as though she had run her fingers through it in her rage. “What is it?” asked Betty, easing her down into a big chair. “Here, drink this.” Pearl John ‘held out a glass of wine, “Now | what's the matter with you, Tante | Josephine? Tell us.” | “The smoke—it's blowing into my | room off the mesa! I won't have it! I hate smoke!” she cried | breathlessly, pointing a skinny fin- | ger at the open window, where a | thick spiral of smoke could be seen, | rising from the edge of the mesa. Ramon glanced sideways at An- | gelique, and the same thought was lin both their faces. Why should | the smoke from a fire Pearl Pierre ‘had probably started again on the ‘ash pile have such an amazing | effect on the old lady?

(To Be Continued)

STROKE OF

| RAHAM COREY rushed out of | the house, banging the door | behind him. | “There! You've done it,” Albert | Muhler said ruefully. “You can't boss him forever, you know.” “He's not to marry that eirl” said Graham's mother firmly. “She wouldn't make a suitable wife for him.”

Mrs. Corey turned from the win- | on her |

dow and fixed her eves brother, who was the only person who dared talk back ‘to her. “The girl's all right,” said Muhler a bit wearily. “But she just happens to be a poor girl, and vou | want your Graham married to a | society bud-—some one whose name is as important as yours. Sometimes I give you up, Amelia.” “Sometimes you make me tired. You're a sentimental fool, Albert. I'm going to guide my boy's life as I think best. marry that girl.” “The answer seems to rest with him. You've practically driven him out of the house.” “He'll come back—and he'll do as I want.” “How are you going to make | him?” Muhler was frankly skeptieal.

“My health has never been too

good, Albert . . » realizing her

" M tion, smiled bitterly,

UHLER, inten“you've been worrying Graham

about your health a good many |

years now.” “And I'm going to worry him | more, you're going to help me.” “Amelia, please—" | “You'll help me,” she repeated. | Her eyes took on a glitter that told

| him it was useless to argue, “My |

| heart was never too strong.” “Strong enough. You've over- | worked that heart weakness—if it | exists at all.” | “Hush!” she commanded shrilly. | “This time it will be a stroke. The | doctor will advise a trip to that | specialist in Paris as soon as I am able to travel. You'll arrange it. | Graham is a good boy. He'll go with | me.” “A stroke . ..” Muhler lit a cigar thoughtfully. “Amelia, I hate to | have a hand in this.” The old lady turned her stern, selfish face upon him. “You probably wouldn't if you | didn't have to.” She stopped, and that pause covered a great deal. Muhler nodded unhappily. He knew she had him in | her power—that, if he didn't obey her, she could wreck him financially. | A poor business man, he had let | himself get completely in her

clutches, EANWHILE, Graham Corey, ] with bitterness in his soul, was guiding his car through the city's evening traffic. He was realizing what years of maternal domination had done to him, and he was deter- | mined now to end it. He drove to the Silver Platter Ciub. Entering he stopped at the check room.: The girl behind the counter—a beautiful girl—greeted him with a radiant smile. “Lois, darling,” he began, then | stopped, his face a picture of unnappiness. “What's wrong?” she asked anx- | iously, her smile fading. “Nothing's wrong sweetheart, only were going to be married [sooner than we expected. It's | mother, She-——she doesn't—-" | “She doesn’t approve of me. | know.” “But don't worry, Lois. Every- | thing will be all right. We'll slip off and get married secretly. Then, | when we're married, mother will just {have to accept the situation. She'll i give in, then. You'll see.” | “Tl do whatever you say,” said Lois. | “Then, let's ! afternoon.” | “I'm afraid,” whispered Lois. “Don’t be, sweet. Everything is going to be all right . . .» i "ww HEN Graham returned home > several hours later, he found S

= » =

| “Where's Mother?” asked Graham. | “She's in her room . . . Wait, I | want to talk to you.” . | “If it’s about Lois—" “No, no, my boy. I've got bad news for you. It's about your mother. She's | ill. She's had a stroke.” , “A stroke!" Graham spoke in a hoarse, frightened

*I)ON'T pay any atteniion to Ra- |

mon’s tempers, please,” broke in Angelique. “He's likely to be

Crabby when he's hungry. We

i i i !

By Louis Devon Daily Short Story

| once again, though his heart was

He's not going to |

make it tomorrow

STRATEGY

“I'll take her!” cried Graham. He was the dutiful, panic-stricken son

torn at the thought that his marriage to Lois would now have to be postponed. “Come with me now,” Muhler said. | “I think she oan see you, but don't stay too long, and don't excite her.” ” ” un RS. COREY was lying in bed, | waiting for them. She had | | gone over her role time and time again. It must not fail her. She | had held her breath, clutched at | her heart, studied the ways in which she could frighten her son. Her efforts had induced a pale flush in her sallow cheeks. Graham kissed her “Mother, dear ..."” “Graham, my boy,” she whispered. | | “I need you now.” She prepared for the big moment. Then—one hand went suddenly | | to her heart. She drooped back | | limply on the pillow, a terrified | | expression on her face. Graham turned pale. “Mother! | | Mother!” | | She looked up at him, choking, | | gasping for breath. “The doctor— | | the doctor—" came from her blue | Albert Muhler put a hand on | Graham's shoulder, | “Come,” he said gently. “We'd! | better go now.” i | “But she's worse!” cried Graham. | | “Call the doctor!” | “There's nothing to be done.” | | Muhler led him firmly toward the | | door. “The same thing happened | He said | | that it was to be expected—that it : | would wear off. It's probably the | | excitement of seeing you. We must | let her rest.” un on | HEY reached the door. Gra-! ham looked back. His mother’s | | eyes were fixed on him. She seemed | | to be trying to speak. Then Muhler | {had led him into the hall and | ‘closed the door. [ “I'll look in on her again later,” said Muhler. “Go on up to your {room and go to bed. Ill call you | if necessary.” | Muhler returned to the living room and waited half an hour, to! | give Graham plenty of time to get | | to bed, then came back up to Mrs. | Corey’s room. He advanced toward the bed, but suddenly halted, staring transfixed at the old lady lying there. He rushed forward, bent over her, then! dropped to his knees and covered | his face with his hands. “Heaven forgive me!” he gasped. | Mrs. Corey's “big moment” had | | not been simulated. She was dead. | THE END

1936. by United Syndicate, Inc.)

tenderly. |

| |

(Copyright, Feature

The characters in this story are fictitious. |

Ask The Times

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply | 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.

Q—Where do the Nootka Indians ! live? A—There are several North American Indian tribes with that name belonging to the Wakashan family, who reside chiefly on Vancouver Island, and to some extent from Cape Cook on the north to beyond Port San Juan, and including the | Wakash of Cape Flattery, Wash. Q—Who wrote, “The Mark of the Beast?” ) | A—Rudyard Kipling. It is con-! tained in the volume of stories en- | | titled “Life's Handicap.” {

| Q—-What is the term of the

Controller General of the United States and what are his duties? | A—He is the chief of the General Accounting Office, which passes | upon the legality of every voucher | | for expenditure made by the Fed{eral government. The term of the! office is 15 years, and it is filled | with appointment by the President | subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Controller General is responsible to Congress alone. The | office is not connected with any | other government department. Q—How many banks failed in the United States in 1930, 1931 and | 1932? |

A—1930—1352; 1931-2204; 1932— | 1456. government | exceed the income during the fiscal | 1935-36

? 14

GOOD GOSH! | CARRY OUT THE ASHES ™ TO HELP MA! THEN YOU INSIST ON HELPIN' ME, AN' NOW, MALL HAVE MORE WORK. CLEANIN' YOU THAN SHE WOULDA HAD CARRYIN' OUT TH' ASHES.

ACR

DIRTY LOOK JRwuRes

“C'mon, lazy. Remember the early bird...” “Yeah! And look what happens to the early worm

—By Al Capp

THE LAST ITEM ON THE

P A RED STRIPED s PATCH IN THE ONE FAI.ED/- REAR/

A OK’

AT WE NEED’

ARE You BEING A (IE You HADN'T STARTED SUCH A

TATTLE - TALE, [FUSS ABOUT FRECKLES BEING TAGALONG TOO YOUNG TO HAVE GIRLS, TAG WOULDN'T [ee BO INSPIRED BUT TO CARRY GOSSIP / qe To You!

(Nour MOTHER 1S RIGHT, TAG! 1 DON'T WANT YOU TO BE ATALE-BEARER! IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING To SAY, KEEP FRECKLES AND MY NAME OUT

POP 1 GOT SOMETHING TO TELL YOU ABOUT FRECK ... THAT GIRL 1S RESPONSIBLE, I BETCHA!

P1916 by United Feature Syndics wm Reg US Pat. Off «AN rights re

NOW, WHAT HAVE You To SAY

ed ¥

YOUR OLDEST SON 1S UPSTAIRS , SHAVING WITH HIS FATHER'S

—By Hamlin

OU TUNK ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED OUT | OUT WHO IS TH OTHER J BY MY THROWN \ GUY WHO WAS IN | AXE? HUH! [2 WHATCHA GONNA DO WITH ‘iM,

(SA GOOD THING FER YOU, Y'SHOWED UP WHEN YDID - OR WED A THOUGHT Y'DID IT ON PURPOSE, TKEEP SUMPIN’ WHO, ME? HID ~ AW, FER -Y WHATD 1 HAFTA

A LEARN PLENTY, GIT T'WORK ON HIM=\ I THINK SOM OF THIS PLOT ORIGINATED oa IN MOO -

B—

HORIZONTAL

1, 5 American prima donna. 11 Region. 12 Large net. 13 Drop of eye fluid. 14 Shovel. 15 Road. 17 Morindin dye. |U 18 South America. 20 Onager. 22 Postscript. 24 Word puzzle.

30 Steamers, 32 Rules of dueling. 33 Hops kilns.

37 Seasoning. 38 Myself, 39 Green. 41 South Carolina, 42 Slatted box.

[

YEH, AN’ 1 GOTTA HUNCH WELLYA<, 2, ) TOO- UM, HMM - Z/ E /WELL,I GUESS ILLY BE GOIN I GOT § SOME IMPORTANT MN THINGS TDO~

CROSSWOR

TIP “IM OFF, Quick!

E. JI

Answer to Previous Puzzle

(GOLLY-1 GOTTA F.<0 TH GRAND WIZER AN

CiT E NO

E E

| N

58 She

28 Commonplace. 47 Scheme. 48 Pronoun. 50 Bard. 52 Melody, 53 Passages. 34 Corps of Al- 55 Sheaf. gerian cavalry 57 She has a

voice

abroad. VERTICAL

RT ROBERTIUN

1 Door rug. 44 Baseball nines 2 Form of “be.”

All 0[P

E R Ww EE

3 Back.

4 Payments for use of yards. 6 Animal, 7 Passes again. 8 Clock face. 9 Finish 10 Born. 16 Small fish. 18 One of her famous roles. 19 Apiaceous plant.

~ BOY, WHAT ( A SPOT! WHY DID I EVER GIT MIXED UP IN THIS?

D PUZZLE

21 French coin. 22 Tiny balls of medicine, 23 She 8 we by birth. 25 Social ins 26 Railroad. 27 Valuable property. 29 Wing ~~ 31 Evil. 35 Quickly 36 Personal enemies.

39 Tanner's)

vessel. ” 40 Spigot. 42 To snip. 43 To bellow 45 Disposition 46 Half. 47 Golf teacher) 49 Pronoun. 51 Golf devices 52 Like, ! $3 Within, 54 Street. 56 Road.

“My secretary doesn’t understand me, dear.”

Start the New Year Just Right . . . Enjoy

PS NON FEN i Pa. | RN Jo

\ < ~ a LY

POLK’S MI