McHenry Public Library District Digital Archives

McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 24 Feb 1927, p. 7

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THE H'HSHRY PLAINDEALEE, THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 1927 '•%rm LAWLOR, THE CLEVER DETECTIVE By (CATHERINE HOWE (Copyright by W. a. Chapman.) ii Y i ^ 'OU see Stella don't Just exactly like my business," said John Lawlor to the comfortable matron who sat opposite ll him in the tidy little living room «f her home. '•'Don't like your business?" 'she exclaimed. "Why, aren't you one of the fast detectives on the force?" "Well, the chief as good as told me that last week, and they raised my P«y. But being on the police force doesn't strike Stella as being quite high-toned enough. She asked me if I couldn't get Into the bank, or go Into brokerage or something." "Brokerage!" sniffed his sister. "She'd rather you'd make money--or father swipe somejtody else's money-L that way than g« It honestly the way you're doing." "No! No!" he broke In emphatically. "Stella Is as honest and as straight M a die--but--" y ?'But she's a snobbish little fool!" • 4'Mary I" he flashed out. "You know J %on't stand hearing a word against Stella 1 You've got it out of me, and you've known all along she's the only girl in the world for me." "Yes, John, I didn't meaa to hurt you. But I haven't any patience with mch notions. Just because her grandfather was General Barker, she seems to think she ought to marry a banker er a corporation lawyer at the least. Bar father squandered every penny tfcey had, and they've been poorer than Job's turkey all their lives." "Well, you know 'what's bred In the bone,'" began John. "That's all right," broke In Mrs. Wink, "but any girl who don't care enough for you to take you Just as 70a are, Isrit worth thinking about." "Oh, but she's worth it! She's a bit •otlonal about that one thing, perhaps, tat she suits me," said John with the usual lover's enthusiasm. "Oh dear!" thought his sister, as he went out. "I Just wish something Would happen to bring him to his tenses." Meanwhile Stella Barker, ^11 unconscious of the wish banging over her, went her way with the thoughtlessness and Inconsequential ways of youth In general. She loved John, but not with the understanding and depth of a women of more experience In the world might have done. She was only eighteen, very romantic, and a silly, •hallow mother had not contributed much of real worth to her education. Only about two weeks after the talk between John and his sister, a letter came to Stella telling her she had inherited about forty thousand dollars through the death of a distant relative. It was not an enormous sum, as fortunes go these days, but enough to draw around the girl a good many new acquaintances, and would-be suitors. There had never been anything more than a kind of tacit understanding between John and Stella, but the young man had never given up his determination to win her. The change In Stella's fortunes •eeraed somehow to also alter their relations. He could never get any, time alone with her now. Her mother | meant that she should now see some "real society," and entertaining absorbed the two completely. Even a more sensible young head than Stella's , might have been a trifle turned by the new order of things. A new admirer of Stella's named Cecil Brent hegan to pay very assiduous attentions. Mrs. Barker regarded him with favor. His manners were SO polished, "so English" she was sure he must belong to a very 4<hlgh family." Brent was certainly something of a dashing figure. Good looking, exceedingly well dressed, of ready wit, and pleasing address, he. might have captivated a much more sophisticated young woman than Stella. He took' her to the theater and suppers a few times, and spent money freely. John felt that the time had come for an understanding. If Stella preferred this man to him, he must know it. He came in his usual straightforward way, and asked her If she was engaged to Brent. Stella looked a bit conscious, then •he laughingly asked: "What makes you think so?" "Well you're going about with him M great deal, and--" "And what?" she smiled. "Most anyone would think so." Some vanity, and a good deal of deviltry, natural to almost all young things, came to the surface. "Let them think so if they like." "Do you wish me to think so?" '•Why John!" she parried. "Does It really make much difference to you?" "Does it make much difference to me?" be repeated In slow amazement. "Why you know, it does!" "I--don't know how I was to 'know' It," she again parried. "And anyway suppose I did. What Is the harm In having a good time?" "No harm," said John. "But with him--I dont see how you can." "What have you to say against Mr. Brent?" she asked Indignantly. "He doesn't ring true, he Is not what he seems!" "Oh!" she answered with pointed •arcasm. "Is that your acute deteetfve talent, or Just simple, unadulter (ted Jealousy?" "Neither one. Ordinary common jense." "In which I must be woefully lack* few," she added. i ffMHMiJ ki 1|MM Among the ruins of Mesopotamia* Ift buildings dating back probably from 8,000 to 8,500 years B. C., are to be found at the present time walls covered with stucco, which, in a measure. owe their preservation to Its 'Ml The Silver Lining j Am optimist is- a man who has lost all his teeth but two w4 fhsni f I that those two meat. It was In vain that John tried to convince her there were good grounds for his assertion; she maintained It was nothing but miserable Jealousy, and declared she would not be dictated to, while John, feeling that Brent had entirely supplanted him, left with a desperate resolve to never see her again unless she asked him to come. Stella realized after he had gone that she had not meant to really send him away for good and all; but Cecil Brent's attentions becoming more persistent, they were engaged, and she hecame the proud possessor of a diamond ring. John In his efforts to forget his heartbreak, applied himself more steadily to business than ever. One day at police headquarters he was Introduced to a young lady, and was told she had become a valuable assistant in the detective service. "Miss Rem son," said the/ chief, "thinks she has a clue to those counterfeit tens and fifties." "One of the men I have my eye on Is an elderly man masquerading as a clergyman," said the girl detective. John Lawlor and Miss Bemson were detailed to work together. They found where the "elderly clergyman" lived, and kept a Hose account of his going and coming. One day John saw him leave the bouse with a dress suit case. He followed him to the station, and took the same train, not meaifTtag to lose sight of his man for one instant. Had he only been aware that an automobile was leading the train a close race, and had seen the occupants, he might possibly have lost sight of the man in clerical clotnes. As the train slowed Into the first station, the automobile whizzed past. If John had not be«i so intent on watching his man, be might have seen the people in the car. The reverend gentleman walked to a small hotel, with John closely la bis wake. He saw him assigned to a room, and as soon as he went up with the bellboy, contrived to get a room for himself quite near the other. He read on the register the name of "Rev. Joseph Baker,", and concluded he had not come to tliis little town for nothing. John intended to find out what that errand was. He had been in his room about half an hour, the short winter day had drawn to a close, he had turned on the light and was reading, when he heard speaking in the hall. The voices were so subdued he could make out nothing, and almost instantly a door closed shutting them off. He went out softly to investigate. Pausing at the minister's door, he heard low conversation within. As he paused to listen, he heard someone coming down the hall, and was obliged to go on, as no one in the house knew the nature of his business, and for the present, he did not mean they should. Miss Remson might be way off in her suspicions ; it was just possible he was shadowing a perfectly innocent man. When the coast was again clear he glided up to the minister's door, Though the tones were low, he heard distinctly the words of the Episcopal marriage service. John had never felt quite so foiled and foolish in the course of his de tective career. Here he hnd been tak Ing a wild goose chase after an inno cent old gentleman who had evidently come out here at the solicitation of some friends to marry them, and the dress suit case had probably contained his cassock and prayerbook. The de tective was leaving the door in dis gust when he noticed that no light came through the keyhole or under the door. Why was this marriage ceremony being performed in the dark? .The next instant he heard the words: "I, Cecil, take thee, Stella--' John rapped loudly on the door. The voices ceased. There was no response. He knocked again still louder. Then a man's voice asked: "Who's there?" "A friend! To warn!" said John. The door was opened by the clergyman, and carefully closed. Dark as it was, he at once recognized tbe couple going through the marriage service. They were Stella Barker and Cecil Brent. "Friend!" sneered the bridegroom. "John Lawlor, you've only come here to stop this ceremony, but you can't do It Now go!" When his name was mentioned John had noticed the look that came into the clergyman's face, also the nervous way his hand went to his head. He was wearing a wig. "I will go, but I shall have to trouble you to go with me," said John tc the minister. "I am at a loss to understand," be said with dignity. Then seeing the business end of a revolver looking towards him, he added resignedly: "Very well. But Mr. Brent, as I could not finish the ceremony, I will hand you back your fee." John was a bit too quick for Brent, and snatched the money. "One hundred and twenty dpllars," he said. "Itather a large fee. Mr. Brent ni have to ask you to come, too." After John had handcuffed his two men, and safely locked them up pending the departure of the next train, he sought the frightened girl In the hotel parlor. "I will see that someone takes you to the train," he said. "I've got two of the slickest counterfeiters in the business to look after." "I haven't any money for the ticket. He has six hundred dollars of mine" "No, he hasn't. Here It la." And John passed her the notes. "Oh, John!" she sobbed. "Forgive me! I want you!" "Not for--Just gratitude. There must be time to think," he said. Stella must have thought bard, for In less than three months the wedding cards were out. Longer Pilgrimage Men and women live longer now than did those of half a century ago. The life span has been increased by 17 years. The gain is the result of knowledge.--Detroit News. Fortune in Short Order The popular song, "Rock Me to Sleep," which brought its composer a fortune, was tbe rasa It «f hot tern utes' work. Mistakes Will Happen By DOROTHY DOUGLAS (Ctirrtikt.) NOTHING could have been simpler than the original error made by the newspaper man who had the stand at the corner of Broadway in tbe seventies. He had confused two of the books ordered by patrons and delivered them that morning to the wrong apartments. Nancy Cromer received a recent \povel entitled, "Heartstrings" in place of^ "Ever Ready" and Owen Stanley >fot the latter instead of the former. And Nancy, being an omnlveroua reader, decided to gobble up as much of "Heartstrings" as she fould before the mistake was rectified. The author was a new one even to Nancy's well-posted brain. She couldn't recall having read anything by Owen Stanley and knew it must be a first attempt "Stanley--Owen Stanley, you've got a small fortune and a reputation In •Heartstrings,"' she thought. "Especially If one Nancy Cromer can persuade you to let hor do the scenario for the films." Nancy was not really conceited but she knew her value as a writer. Her first two scenarios Were undoubted successes. And Owen Stanley, a trifle annoyed that the mistake had been made, wrapped up "Ever Ready" and took It back to the book stand. The lovely volume be had had especially bound was to be presented to Cora Masters, the young lady who he hoped would accept him now that he bad promise of being successful. While Cora had not been wildly enthusiastic about his literary career she had not exactly discouraged him. Stanley felt quite reasonable hopes that his lovely ipauve volume "Heartstrings" would do the trick. "You could get your own book if you Just call at No. 19," the book man Informed Stanley. Tm sorry I mixed them up." And Stanley, because he really wanted to see his brain child In its new mauve raiment decided to stop and ask for it tbe other book. Nancy opened tbe door herself, the volume still In her hand. "Oh, dear," she said when she caught sight of the book In her caller's hand, "I was hoping I could have finished this story before anyone came to get it I couldn't sleep a wink If I didn't know how it ends." "It must be an extraordinarily good tale," he said. "It's one of the best I've read for ages," Nancy told him. "Well--I don't want to be responsible for your losing sleep," said Stanley. "How long will It take you to finish It Shall I>t. call back about fiver "Oh!" breathed Nancy gratefully, "lfs too* good of you. I will give you a cupful of tea and toasted muffins when you come." Stanley grinned his thanks and went off. His footsteps were light Such praise as had been his was worth any amount of advertising. Somehow his heart beat less strenuously In the direction of Cora. He had a bite of lunch, and went back to his rooms. His telephone rang. "Is this Mr. Stanley," came a very nice feminine voice. "I am Nancy Cromer and would like to talk about your book, 'Heartstrings,' which has come to my notice in rather unusual circumstances. I was wondering if you have placed the film rights." "Well, not exactly--though there are some dlckerings going on." "I do so want to make the scenario --It's the chance of my life. I've done two--'Tiger's Teeth' and 'Shallow Hearts'--and they've both gone well." "I was hoping," suggested the girl, "that you could come over and get acquainted with me. I don't live far away--Just at No. 19 on your street" It didn't take a Napoleonic brain to figure out that the girl to whom his book had been delivered by mistake and this fair one of the telephone were one and the same. He had a sudden but definite feeling that he would never propose to Cora. "I could run over about five," he said and smiled to himself. "Oh, dear, I have an engagement at five. Could you come about fivethirty?" Stanley agreed, pleased that she desired to have her tea alone with the man who had asked for the return of his book. They had a splendid tea time, chatting about things in general but mostly finding one another decidedly the very nicest person in the world. And not having thought about names or anything so commonplace Stanley took his departure promptly at fivethirty with his ipsauve-bound book In his pocket ^ He went down in tbe elevator then dashed up the stairs again so as not to be s minute late for his five-thirty appointment Opening the door Nancy smiled. "Did you forget snythlng?" she asked. Why no," said Stanley, "I have an engagement with Nancy Cromer to talk over scenario rights to my book. I suppose you don't want to break it" And he stepped in. laughing like a young boy at his own foolishment "Oh, Is It really true?" gasped Nancy. "How lovely." Oora did not get tbe book bound a mauve. World Made Brighter by "Mother'*" Pretend "There. Is a little old lady on our street" writes C. F. W., "who creates sunshine for the whole neighborhood, and I felt that her story might Interest your readers. "The day is brighter for everyone when she elects to go downtown. She is short and plump and there is a kind and gay twinkle In her eyes. The street car and bus crews call her 'Mother,' and though she lives in a nice house on a nice street, and wears good clothes, she evidently likes It "She shatters ail the rules of traffic, but the hardest boiled motorist slows up to let her pass. All the other passengers in the cars and busses have to wait until she is safely and tenderly helped aboard. The conductor personally conducts her to the door when she gets off. All the passengers responded to hv smiling 'Good morning.' spoken to the world In general, although no one seems to know her name. "I wish that when I grow old everyone might' be so glad to see me and to serve me, and I'm going to put in the intervening years trying to cultivate a winning smile like my little old lady's and overcome my present aversion to being called 'Mother' by the hoi pollol. I shall have to exchange snobbishness for winsomeness if I am to be the sunshine of the neighborhood when I grow old, will I not 3"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer. DOLLARS - bO - DOUBLB - 8UT7 - DOLLAR - DA* $ DOLLARS - M GOING OUT OF BUSINESS CLOSING OUT SALE s Many Pretty Legend• Concerning the Poppy The poppy has been the symbol of death since the time tbe son of Tarqulnius Superbus asked his father what should be done with tbe people of a conquered city. Tarquln did not reply, but goihg Into the garden he slashed off the heads of of | the largest popples, thereby commending the massacre of tbe most Influential citizens. The color of the poppy, resembling Olood, also symbolizes death. When Persephone was stolen by Pluto her mother, Seres, searched for her day and night The gods, pitying her and unable to restore Persephone, caused He also took along poppies to spring about her feet. She Inhaled their heavy, bitter scent and put the seeds into her mouth, and presently sleep closed her eyelids and she gained that rest which her weary body needed. The stato flower of California is a brilliant yellow poppy, which shines on the mountain slopes under which gold lies hidden. The Saxon name for poppy is "popig." It used to be a custom In olden days to strike a poppy petal In the hands to ascertain whether a lover was faithful or not. If it broke it signified that he was unfaithful, but if it held together and made a noise it showed he-was true Injurhm* Drug* Hashish Is the name of a drug prepared from gum obtained from a plant known as Indian hemp. It Is a powerful narcotic and Is smoked extensively by the Arabs. Its effects are very similar to those produced by the use of opium. In India a highly Intoxicating drink culled bh&Rg, is made from hashish. Its use la very Injurious to mind and body. % Phone 11741 Dollaf Day Specials for Saturday, Feb. 26 , ; ' • - . , , . • FLANNEL NIGHT GOWNS, heavy, full cut, $1.50 quality -$1.O0?9 : r WHITE DRESSES, Lace and Embroidery trimmed, sizes 2 to 5 fine quality, worth \ $1.75 and $2.00, special ...... t...,... .$1.00 LADIES' SILK HOSE, Black and Brown, $1.50 quality, special 90* * FINE DRESS GINGHAM, 32-in. 4 yds. special for Saturday 90* FLIESHER'S YARN, 4 balls, any color, 35c quality, special $1.00 LADIES'FINE SUEDE OR SILK GLOVES, $1.50 quality, all colors, special $1.00 GARDEN SEEDS, new stock, 50 pkgs. for, $1,00 Men's and Boys' CAPS, $1.50 and $1.75 grades, new spring colors, special $1.00 BABY SHOES, $1.50, $2.00 and $2.25 grade, your choice Saturday for $1.00 TENNIS SHOES and KEDS, $1.35 to $1.50 grades, special Saturday $1.00 Boys' one-buckle OVERSHOES, sixes up to 6, Saturday only $1.00 SHOES, OXFORDS and PUMPS, Tan and Black, about 50 pair, only 98* BED ROOM SLIPPERS, specially priced .. for Saturday, values up to $1.85 $1.00 Men's Heavy Fleeced Shirts and Drawers, v N Saturday, 2 for Men's NECKTIES, new colors and shapes, all $1.00 and $1.25 grades, Saturday 75* J. WALSH -j West McHenry - SHVTIOa AV<* - iivnoa - Axaa • sn&noa - oa - ssvnoa DISCOUNT While the Lasts . r* on all Firestone and Oldfield Tires Tubes y t T T t that were water-soaked in our recent fire These tires are all new, fresh stock and not damaged in any way except being slightly discolored by water, and all carry the regular Firestone guarantee. • Peruvian Insect called the "traffic carries a red light In !ta head and a green light In Ita tall. Small Source of Supply The world's supply of balsam of Peru, used In perfumes and medicines, all comes, from a ten-mile grove of trees In Central America, known as the Balsam grove. Knox Motor Sales He Should Be Shot A lecturer in New York Is going about telling women how to remain seventeen years old Indefinitely, as If there weren't enough permanent adolescents In the world already FORD and ATWATER KENT DEALERS Phone 30 and 31 n ---.at : 1;-". jfccjeU « « - - Ml**.-. 1 . * ...«

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