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XXV' LAURENS, SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1920. NUMBER 44 1 & 'Will Johns (Cont inued from Last Week.) CHAPTER Vi. Left alone for a moment by my com panion, I sat there at the table in the crowded restaurant, idly watching the beautifully costumed women all about me, ' listening dreamily to the music of the orchestra, observing with interest the graceful gyrations of the occasional couple who sought the dancing floor in the center, when sud denly I was brought to myself by hearing a gruff voice saying: "What'd you bri ng that crook in here for?" "Wh (f do y-11 nn1'atn?" I gas ed in toh'nt N i :p a ta.quare shonidt- i ii w iih - t'nt ly trimmeWl black mustache who was stanling be side my table' "It's you I mean," he announced. "Don't you know you can't bring that. kind of people in here?" As e\'planation ' for my presence there in the White room of the fa mous Hundredth hotel,, let me say that my investigations Into the per plexing chain oi mysiur-inus, circim stances in which Barbara Bradford and I seemed to be each day becom ing more firmly involved, had finally led me to deduce three different the ories, each more or less plausible, and each involving ad entirely differ ent set of persons. There were certain happenings and circumstances that made me some times wonder it the whole thing were not a- base plot on the part of my great-uncle Rufus, perhaps influenced by a desire for revenge or perhaps led on by an insane greed for still greater wealth. Yet, on the other hand, there were thosp entries in 'his diary about the mysterious voices. Apparently, too, his wife and Mrs. Burke had heard them. Did it not seem more likely that the arch plotter was Claire Bradford's ex husband? This theory seemed far more ten able. While the Bradfords hnd heard nothing .roi him for several years, the publication of Claire Bradford's engagement might have attracted his notice and inspired him to an attempt at blackmall. Yet how could he galn access to the wall safe where the di vorce papers were kept, 6r how could he be dropping notes on tho floor of Barbara Bradford's bedrooin? How could he have stolen the Gaston pearls? It seemed incredible but still my thoughts kept returning to the possibility of his directing Claire Bradford's actions through hypnotic control. Once he had had influence over her suif1cient to make her give up faily3, friends, homne, everything, to marry him. Had he, in some way unknown to Barbara Bradford, re gained his control over her sister and was he using her as the unconscious tool for his villainies? She could have gained access to my room by walking g1ong the ledge when all the house wvas still. Yet this theory ex plained neither the theft of the pearls, -my great-uncle's peculiar actions, my own discharge, nor the mysterious noises In the apartment, I had still a third theory, Suppose a b~and of criminals was located in the apartment house on the floor above the Bradfords and me? Access to either apartment would not be diflicult. By short rope lad ders they could easily reach either .set of rooms. They would be so located that there would belittle diffculty for them to devise mysterious -sounds for terrifying the people in the apart ments below. I recalled that In ev ery case the voices and the footsteps seemed to come from somewhere up ngar the ceiling. Of course It seemed prepqsterous that A crIminal band would find lodging in a .luxurious apartment house like this, yet, wvh3 niot? Tenants in these buildinga knew little about each other and cared less There was no exchange of neighborly visits. Once having gained access t< such a building by forged references so long as they paid their rent prompt. ly, no one in the building would both er his head about the character of an3 'of the other -tenants. Thislattieor~ .seemed the. mosi $1%i41bI., liestdee it was the' 4.u10s - 6forit od, It ;ougtit not to be difu tq~io #ewdIt who Uived in. the twe ~tnei4 boe. Undoubtsdly 'm 0 forniation W~uld b4 the t!hoisAwrso The _. his pers .f1. . l1 a (o a'-"n It-wi Myers Perhaps, too, she might be able to in fori m(e of Iy greatI-timele's where abouts. More than likely lie had left a forwarding address for his mall with her. With a letter I had written to my mother, I descended to the main floor and began a -conversation with Miss Kelly by asking where was the near est place that I could buy stamps. As we chatted I began complaining how lonely it was in the apartment and wound up by inviting her to dine with tile that evening. I had ant ieliated a ready acceptance of ily Invitation and was amazed to find it firmly refused. In a much con fused manner she advalced a dozen reasons, or rather pretexts. She (lid not go out with tile people of the house. ITer mother would not like it. She did not know me well enough. Mr. Wick would discharge her if he heard about it. From an unexpected source, though none tile less unwelcome, I foulnd an' ally. Mr. Wick himself bobbed up from somewhere, aplnrently having overheard enough of our conversation to know what it was abut. "Why, of course, Mr. Nelson," he began In an ingratiating manner that was most repellent to me, "Miss Kelly'll be glad to go to dinner with you. jt's part of her business to Inake thingl pleasant for the tenants." It seemed to me that the girl's eyes flashed defiance at him and that she was still inclined to refuse, and I was about 'to explain resentfully that my invitation 'was not issued on -a busi ness basis, when into Wick's face came an ugly look, something almost threatening. "Of course Miss Kelly will be glad to go with you," ho repeated sharply. "Certainly," said the girl quickly, before I had a chance to speak, "if Mr. Wick thinks it is all right, I will be glad to go." Her acceptance (id not ring true. I wits convinced that it was unwilling ly given tinler some sort of com pulslcu' ".(1m 11lhe odiousc; Wick. I met her. It Iher siggtestion, in the parlor or* wi to' iII#- it*ss pretentious hotels. In the hour that hnd/elap'!d since she left the apartment, she lhad eg(changed her neat black wiorking Suit for more modish clothes. After one quick glance at her transformed apperiLanel my nind was quickly made up ats to what sort of a restai rant to take her. It was manifest that she was of the type that would enjoy to the utmost the costly whirl of the fashionable cafe of the moment. It .was my purpose to give her such a delightful evening that she would he wishing to spend others in the same wvay, for I felt certain that she, per. haps better than anyone else, could supply me the information I wanted about the. tenants in the building. I was sure it wvould be wveli worth my wvhile to win her gobod graces. cost what it may. Calling a taxi. I bade the chauffeur take us to the "Whiite Room," the very latest fashion in res .taurants, where hordes of hectic pur suers of pleasure were wvont to assem b)10 to dine and dance. I observedl th( glEam of satisfaction that came inte her eyes as sihe heard me mention our destination. At first we talked, in Blroadway~ fashion, of the theaters and restau rants, of the place we were in, of thu people at the tab~les about us, hui gradually I led the conversation t< Miss Kelly herself and to her worl in tile apartment. "It was funny, wasn't it," I said "abiout Mr. Wick insisting on you coming with me? I had a notion hi didn't like me. Hitherto my companion bad b)eer most vivacious, chatting merrily, flash tng back at my sallies with clever bits of that slangy repartee of which mos of the metropoiltan business girls ar< such clever mistresses At my last re mark a quick change came over he face. It was as if a. mask had heel set up between us behind which shi was hiding from me, "I guess he likes you," she answer ed guardedly. "I never heard him s one way or the other." "While 'we're talking about th apartment," I went' on, "did my gros uncle happen to leave a ftorwardin; address with you? 'sh*re are soni things I wrant to .seud' hhn-4om pearls ther left behisd4--fl4 MJ (Cl#UR4 l P Ti. NINTH BODY FOUND. leiiinlias of Miss Ale BraidsiJw Lo. catedl. Anderson, May I.4.-The ninth body of the ill-fated party who weit dowel in the Savamnalh river on the ferry boat April 4 has been found, that of Miss Allie iradshaw, near Plun Branch be tween :0 and 10 miles below IHarpers' Ferry where the boat went down. ''here is now bit. one 1nore body in the river, that of ('harlie Malchilne. The graves are il a row in the siune ceinletety for as tihey lost their lives together, the relatives decided to place the iir graves by each other. The faithful workers are s(ill trying to filnd the r oiins of Charliv .\lachine, C for so that he too, can rest by the side of hi,; loved friends, and the ilnding of the body of Miss l1ladshaw today inakes thetti feel colfident. that they will also get. the last one fromn the river. Three Dress Specials for This Week's Selling $29.75, $39.75 and $49.75 That individuality in dress on which women of exclu sive taste insist is the outstanding feature of the entire gathering of DRESSES at Wells Clardy Co. 'Some are in Georgette, some in Taffeta, and others in Satin presenting a wide choice in the varied versions of the mode. We are showing Styles to please Daughters at prices to win the favor of mothers for this week's selling. Every Dress in this deDartment has been marked down for this week's selling. Visit our Store this week for real dress values. DRESSES of Georgette, Taffeta and Satin which formerly sold at $32.50, $35.00 and $37.50 on sale this week at one price, $29.50. DRESSES of Georgette and Taffeta which formerly sold at $42.50, $47.50, and $50.00, on sale this week at one price, $39.75. DRESSES of Georgette and Taffeta which formerly sold at $65 and $75, on sale this week at one price, $49.75., Skirts of Unusual Merit An important selling of Ladies' Skirts .at a most important time, for now women are planning their vacations and one of these will add much style and comfort to the wearer. These Spring models are all new and decidedly good looking; especially designed for summer wearing. They come in Serges, Plaids, Sport materials and white washable materials. 1 Ladies' Serge Skirts, black and navy, this season's styles; well tailored. Price $12.50, $15.00 and $18.50. Ladies' Separate Skirts made from Sport Silks and Georgette; white and colors. .Price $18.50, $22.50 and $25.00. Ladies' White Skirts made from Washable Gabardine and Satinette. Price $6.50, $8.50 and $10.00. Dainty Silk Blouses As Light as a Whispering Summer Breeze One would never dream that Blouses could be so sumptuous. But it is a reality and may be seen here in an endless variety of new designs, fashioned in the latest novelty textures of plain and colored combina tions. They come with short and long sleeves, in all shades. Priced at $5.00, $7.50, $8.50, $10 and $12.50. LONG SIL~K (ALOVEs GOIM)ON SI LK HOSE BLACK WIME, GEY, Plain and Fancy Lace Silk 'TAN, F'IENHI AND 'LIOMIT Blakorlon anltwdo. r'BLUE, tone colors. 'Prlco $I.50, II R1cE $8/>0 'IIE 'PAIR. $2.00, $2.50, $3.00, $3.50 t andI4 $5.00. e ~A GOOD PLACE TO TRADE