The evening world. Newspaper, March 25, 1922, Page 15

a a u u | e ‘oe THE EVENING WORLD'S FICTION SECTION, SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1022. 3 restaurant, an Englishman and his wife stopped at their table to greet him, he accepted their welcome to Lon- don, without . ment, , Ashten, vatita = his cigar, between his lips, observ incident, with in- creasing bewilderment, sea 7 _ "You've. got © swell friends,” he growled. “Tl! bet you never met them at Healy's!” | “IT meet al) kinds of people in my businega,” said Ford. “I once sold that man some mining stock, and the joke of it was,” he added, smiling knowingly, “it turned out to be good.” Ashton decided that the psycholog- ical moment had arrived. “What is your business?” he asked. “Um a company promoter,’ said FYord easily. “I thought I told you.” “I did not tell you that I was a company promoter, too, did 1?” de- manded Ashton, “No,” answered Ford, with apparent surprise, “Are you? That's funny.” SHTON watched for the next move, but the subject seemed in no way to interest Ford. Instead of following it up he began afresh, “Have you any money lying idle?” he asked abruptly.. “About a thousand pounds?” Ashton recognized that the mystert- ous stranger was about to disclose both himself and whatever object he had in seeking him out. He cast a quick glance about him. “I can always find money,” he sald guardedly, “What's the proposition?” With pretended nervousness Ford leaned forward and began the story he had rehearsed. It was a new ver- sion of an old swindle and to every self-respecting confidence man was well known as the “sick engineer” game. The plot ls very simple. The sick engineer is supposed to be a mining engineer who, as an expert, has ex- amined a gold mine and reported against it. For his services the com- pany paid him partly in stock. He falls ill and is at the point of death. While he has been ill much gold has been found In the mine he examined, and the stock which he considers worthless is now yaluable. Of this, owing to his iliness, he is ignorant. One confidence man acts the part of the sick engineer, and the other that of a broker who knows the engineer possesses the stock but has no money with which to pur- chase it from him. For a share of the stock he offers to tell the dupe where it and the engineer can be found They visit the man, appar- ently at the point of death, and the dupe gives him money for his stock. Later the dupe finds the stock ts worthless, and the supposed engineer and the supposed broker divide the money he paid for it. In telling the story Ford pretended he was the brok- er and that he thought in Ashton he had found a dupe who would buy the stock from the sick engineer. As the story unfolded and Ashton appreciated the part Ford expected him to play in it, amusement, joy chagrin, and indignation illuminated his countenance, His cigar ceased to burn, and with his eyes opened wide he regarded Ford in pitying wonder. “Wait!” he commanded He shoo! his head incomprehendingly, “Tell me.’ he asked, “do I look as easy us t roare you j natueally fool- Pera i pretended to fall into a state of ea moarm [ don't understand,” he stammered, Why, son,” exclaimed Ashton kind- ly ‘lL was taught that story in the public schools. I stopped using it be- fore you cut your teeth. See!” he ex- claimed delightedly. “I know I had grown respectable-looking, but I didn’t think I was so damned respectable- looking as that!” He began to laugh silently; so greatly was he amused that the tears shone in his eyes and his shoulders shook. “I'm seorry for you, son," he protest- ed. “but that’s the funniest thing that's come my way in two years. And you buying me hot-house grapes, too, wiofanes water! -[ wish you could 1 face,” he taunted. ar if) pretended to be greatly cha- zrined All right.” he declared rough- y “The laugh’s on me this tie, but gust because I lost one trick, dont think I don’t know my business. Now that Um wise to what vou are we can work together and—" The face of voung Mr. Ashton be- came instantly grave. His jaws snap- ped like a trap. When he spoke his tone was assured and slizhtiy con- temptious "Not with me you cant work!” he said “Dont think because [ fell down on this Word began hotly. “I'm not thinking of you at all,” said Ashton “You're a nice little fellow al) right, but you have sized me up wrong. [ am on the ‘straight and narrow’ that leads back to little old New York and (iod’s country, and I ym warranted not to run off my tro! ev” The words were in the vernacular, tut the tome in which the young man apoke rang 80 confident!y that it brought to ord a pleasant thrill of satisfaction. From the first he had found in the personality of the young man something winntng and likable; e shrewd maniiness and tolerant good- humor. His eyes may have shown his aympathy, for, in sudden confidence, about a year later, they got om to me to cut and run. & month of limitation lets me loose and ck. And you can bet I'm » I wil be on the bowspris the first boat. I've had all I want of the ‘fugitive-from-justice™ game, thank you, ana I have good care te keep a clean bill of health so that I won't have to play it again. They've een trying to get me for several years—especially the Pinkertons. They have chased me all over Burope. Chas- ed me with all kinds of men; some- times with women; they've tried every- thing except blood-hounds. At first I oeEDe 3 be “I!" Interrupted Ford, exploding de- risively. “That's good! ‘That's one on married to the finest little lady that ever wore skirta, and tm thirty-seven days [ll see her again, Thirty-seven days,” he repeated impatiently, “Gee! That's a hell of @ tong time!” IRD studied the young man with increased interest. That he was speaking dincerely, from the heart, there seemed no possible dowdt. Ashton frowned and his face clouded. “I've not been able to treat her just right,” be volunteered. “If she wrote ma, the letters might give them a clua, and I don’t write her because I don't want her to know all my troubles un- til they’re over. But I know,” he added, ‘that five minutes’ talk will set it all right. That is, if she stiM feels about me the way I feel about her.” The man crushed his cigar ta his fingers and threw the pieces om the floor. “That's what's been the worst!” “WITHOUT A TRACE OF COQUETRY OR SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS AND WITH A SIGH OF CONTENT, SHE LAID HER HAND ON HIS ARM.” you,” He ceased laughing and re- garded Ashton kindly. “How do you know I'm not?” he asked. For an instant the face of the book- maker grew a shade less red and his eyes searched those of Ford In a quick agony of suspicion, Ford continued to smile steadily at him, and Ashton breathed with relief. “I'll take a chance with you,” he said, “and if you are as bad a detective as you are a sport | needn't worry.” They both laughed, and, with sud- den mutual liking, each raised his glass and nodded. “But they haven't got me yet,” con- tinued Ashton, “and unless they get me in the next thirty days I'm free. So you needn't think that I'll help you. Its ‘never again’ for me. The first time, that was the fault of the crowd I ran with; the second time, that would be my fault. And there ain't going to be any second time.” He shook his head doggediy, ani with squared shoulders leaned back in his chair. “If it only breaks right for me,” he deciared, ‘4’ll settle down in one of those ‘Own-your-own-homes,’ forts five minutes from Broadway, and never leave the wife and baby.” The words almost brought Ford to his feet. Ile had forgotten the wife and the baby. He endeavored to ex plain his surprige by a sudden assum tion of incredulity. “Fancy you married!” he exclaim! “Married!” protested Ashton. Um NEXT SATURDAY’S COMPLETE STORY WAKING UP THE OLD HOME TOWN By LUCIAN CARY Iilustrated by WILL B. JOHNSTONE A Tale of the Middle West and New York ORDER YOUR EVENING WORLD IN ADVANCE he exclaimed bitterly. “Not hearing, not knowing. It's been hell!” His eyes as he raised them were filled with suffering, deep and genuine. Ford rose suddenly. ‘Let's go down to the Savoy for supper,” he said. “Supper!” growled Ashton, “What's the use of supper? Do you suppose cold chicken and a sardine can keep me from thinking?” Ford placed his hand on the other's shoulder “You come with me,” he said kindly. “I'm going to do you a favor. l'm going to bring you a piece of luck. Don't ask me any questions,” he commanded hurriedly. “Just take my word for it.” They had sat so late over their cigars that when they reached the restaurant on the Embankment the supper-room was uiicatly partly filled, and the cor- ridors and lounge were brilliantly lit and gay with well-dressed women. Ashion regarded the scene with gloomy yes, Since he had spoken of his wife he had remained silent, chewing sav- vely on a fresh cigar. But Ford was grandly excited, He did not know ex- actly what he intended to do. He was prepared to let events direct them- selves, but of two things he was as- sured; Mrs, Ashton loved ber husband, and her husband loved her. As the god in the car who was to bring them together, he felt a delightful cespon- sibility The young men left the coat-room and came down the short flight of steps that leads to the wide lounge of . . the restaurant, Ford alightly in ade vance, searching with his eyes for Mra, Ashton, found her seated alone in the lounge, evidently waiting for him. As the first giance ohe"Was hardly to be recognized. Her low-cat dinner csowa Of black satin was tte last' word of the new fashion; an@ since Ford bad seca her her londe ‘half*had been ar- ranged by an artist. Her appearance was smart, elegant; daring. She was easily the prettiest amd most striking looking woman tn the room, and for an instant Pord stood gazing at her, érying to find in the self-possessed youmg woman the deserted wife of the steamer. She did not see Ford. Her eyes were following the progress dowa the hall of a woman, and her profile was toward him. HE thought of the happiness he was about to bring to two young people gave Ford the sense of a genuine triumph, and when he turned to Ashton to point out his wife to him he was tiilling with pride and aatisfaction. His triumph received a bewildering shock. Already Ashton had discovered the presence of Mrs. Ashton. He was standing tragsfixed, lost to his sur- roundings, devouring her with his eyes. And then, to the amazement of ford, his eyes filled with fear, doubt, and anger. Swiftly, with the movement of a man ducking a blow, he turned and sprang up the stairs and into the coat- room. Ford, bewildered and more con- scious of his surroundings, followed him less quickly, and was in conse- quence ogly in time to see Ashton, dragging his overcoat bebind him, dls- appear into the court-yard. He seized his own coat and raced In pursuit. As he ran into the court-yard Ashton, in the Strand, was just closing the door of a taxicab, but before the chauffeur could free it from the surrounding traffic, Ford had dragged the door open, and leaped inside. Ashton was hud- dled in the corner, panting, his face pale with alarm. “What the devil ails you?” roared Ford. “Are you trying to shake me? You've got to come back. You must speak to her.” “Speak to her!’ repeated Ashton. His voice was sunk to a whisper. The look of alarm in his face was con- fused with one grim and menacing. “Did you know she was there?” he de- manded softly. “Did you take me there, knowing——?" “Of course I knew," protested lord. “She's been looking for you " His voice subsided in a squeak of amazement and pain. Asiiton's left hand had shot out and swiftly seized his throat. With the other he pressed an automatic revolver against Ford's shirt front. “I know she’s been looking for me,” the man whispered thickly ‘hoe two years she’s been looking for me. J know all about her! But, who in hell are you?” Ford, gasping and gurgling protested loyally, “You are wrong!” he cried “She's been at home waiting for you. She thinks you have deserted her and your baby. I tell you she loves you, you tool, she loves you!” The fingers on his throat suddenly eelaxed; the flaming eyes of Ashtom glaring tnto his, wavered and erew wide with amazement “Loves me,’ he whispered “Whe loves me?” “Your wife,’ protested Foed “the girl at the Savoy, your wife.” Again the fingers of Ashton pressed deep around his neck, ‘That is not my wife,” he whispered, His yolce was unpieasontly cold and grim "That's ‘Baby Belle,” with her hair dyed, a detective lady of the Vinke ertons, hired to find me And you know it Now, who are you?" To permit him to reply Ashton res leased his hand, but at the same mo- ment dug the revolver deeper into the pit of lord's stomach, “Quick!” he commanded “Never mind the ! Who are you?" Ford collapsed against the cushion- ed corner of the cab. “And she begs ged me to find you,” he roared, “be« cause she loved you, because she want-« ed to believe in you!” Heheld his arms above his head. “Go aheud and shoot!” he cried. “You want to know who I am?" he demanded. His voice rame witiieage. “I'm an amateur. Just a natural bern fool-amateur! (Go od and shoot!” The gun in Ashton’s hand sank to his knee telween doubt and laughter his face was twisted tn strange lines, The cab was whirling through a nar- row unlit street teading to Cované Garden Opening the door Ashtoa cahied to the chauffeur, and then turned to Ford “You get off here!’ he commanded. “Maybe you're a ‘Pink.’ maybe you're a food fellow [ think you're a good fellow, but I'm not taking anv chances. Get out!" Ford scrambied to the gtre et, and us the faxicah again butted itself for- ward, Ashton leaned fur through the window "Goodby, son,” he called. “Send me a picture-postal ecard to Paris. For { am off to Maxim's,” he erled, “and you can go to — “Not at all!” shonted the amateur detective indignantly. “I’m going back to take supper with “Baby Belle’!” (Copyright, 1910, by Charles Scritmes’e Bens. Printed by maent with Metwe ectitan No wepaper New York,