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$;y
7Y FAGMAT D7CE
By GEORGE GIBBS
Author of "The Splendid Outcast," "The Yellow Dove," "The Secret
a Witness," Etc.
CopvrloM. ltH O, AvpUton 4 0.
THIS nEOlNS THE STORY
t..fj.l T? tint fin
nulrV driven from home by revolt-5"-ftn
eomei o counl a.
Peter. . iv.onpmev.,, .!-
i Sowi 0 o oodtf 0 men, wAom
5'! , it 1 Vto see to it that no stranger
' he house by night or by day.
Then X a mystery about the house
. His master. The mystery had
in . fnr Peter the day he left Veto
fC Rock he McGuire
Vmi "for a mysterious looking
"J" 'r had stared at him with
iZSont hUeyes, though Peter
rii. sure he had never seen him be
Ze and it had been heightened by
Uhn't lleth Cameron, a neighbor, had
' 't! pater occupies a cottage
the estate, and one evening he gets
V elephone 'message from MoOuire
,17 Li his daughter, Peggy, is
2ut to arrive, and inviting Peter
io dinner with the suggestion that
jke wear evening clothes.
AND HERE IT CONTINUES
WITH a sr'n. Peter hun UP the w"
eelver, rocalllng the soiled, persplr
. una" let figuro of his employer last
ilfhl Bt it 1 seemed ob though Mo
Odlta were almost ns much In awe of
m. Vuehtor as of the danger that
Mtened for, In the McGulro house
tt Mlii PeW. It appeared, was
&" 'bathroom was Cedar Creek.
In his robo, he ran down the dusky
Kih for a nulck plunge. Then, re
E?hed and ?OTorated. ho lighted his
ESp and drcased leisurely, lie had
mm to hla cravat, to which he was
wont to pay more than a casual at
tentlon. when he wag aware of a feeling
T iiAmfnrt of unease. In the mir
ror something moved, a shadow a
ni corner 01 mo iiuu... -. ..
? moment, still fingering his cravat,
nd then sure that his eyes had raado no
pMake. turned quickly, and. revolver
in hand, rushed outside. Just ns he
did so a man with a startled faco
iljarpenred around th; corner of the
isbln' Peter rushod after him, shout
ing, and turned the edge just in tlrao
to see hh shape leap Into the bushes.
"Who goes there? ' shouted Peter
erlsply. "Halt, or I'll lire."
IJUt tne only rryiy wun n lutmun
-..Klnff in tho undergrowth. Peter
fired twice at the sound, then followed
In. still calling.
No eouna. unaer ino conuiuons a
thase was hopeless, so Peter paused
llitenlng. And then, after n lew mo
ments a more, distant cracuiing mi
died him that his visitor had gotten
well nv.ny. And so after a whllo ho
returned to the cabin and. with his
wranon beside him, finished his Inter
rupted toilet.
But his brows wore in n tangle. Tho
mystery surrounding him seemed sud
denly to have dcepenod. For the face
that he had seen at the window wn
that of tho stranger who hod stared nt
lilm so curiously the man of the soft
bat an dark mustache who had seemed
bo startled nt eoelnjr him In the Penn
sylvania tlitlon when he wan leaving
tftw Vork.
CHAPTER VI
Tho IIouso of Terror
Who what wnp this stranger
who
teemed so interested In his whereabonts?
Peter was sure that he had made- no
mistake. It wan an unusual face.
Bwnrthy, with high choek bones, dark
eyes, a short nose with prominent nos
trils. Perhaps It would not lmve boon
eo firmly impressed on his memory ex
cept for the curious look of startled
recognition thnt Peter had surprised
on It at the irtation in New York. This
had purzled him for some moments in
the tiain, hut had been speedily lost
In the interest of his journey. Th
man had followed him to Black Itnck.
Hut why? What did he want of Peter
and why should he skulk nround the
cabin and risk tho danger of Peter's
ballets? It focmed obvious thnt hr
was here for some dishonest purpose,
but what dlshont purpose could have
nny interest In Peter? If robbery, whv
hadn't the man chosen the time while
Peter was away in the woods? Peter
grinned to himself. If tho man had anv
private sources of information ns to
Peter's personal assets ho would have
known that they consisted of a two
dollar watch and a small sum In roonpy.
If the dishonest purpose weri murder
or Injury, why hadn't he attacked Peter
while ho wns bathing, naked tind quite
defenseless. In the creek?
There seemed to be dcflntto answers
to all of these questiono, but none to
the fact of tho man's presence, to the
fact of hie look of recognition, or to
the fact of his wish to be unobserved.
Was he a part of the same conspiracy
which threatened McGuire?
Or was this a little private con
spiracy arranged for Peter nlono? And
if so. why? So far ns Peter knew he
hadn't nn enemy in America, and oven
If he had made one, it wns hardly con
ceivable that any one should go to such
jIF,'"3 t0 approach an Issue and then
deliberately avoid it.
But there teemed no doubt that some
thing was up nnd that, later, moie
would be heard from this curious inci
dent. It ftpniYipl ninnll. onpfnln tltnf
had the stranger meant to shoot Peter
couki cosily have done so in perfect
"V'ty to himself through tho window,
whllo Peter was fastening his cravat.
Helonding his revolver and slipping it
into his poeket, Peter locked the cabin
carefully, and after listening to the
ajimds of the woods for n while, made
'" way up the path to Black Rock
He hml decided to say nothing about
the lncidcut, which, so for as he could
, concerned only himself, and so
Pi the men on guard questioned him
"out the nhots that they had heard he
WW tlicrn thnt ho had been firing nt a
jnrk. This was quite true, even If
mark hod been Invisible. Shod
"ells was off duty until midnight so
letcr went the rounds, calling tho
.1 Tl , 10 K'Hirdhousc and telling thpm
or the ehonge in tho orders. Tliev were
wi until tlle company upon the
portico wCIlt i,1(00 nnd thcni wilh
n,,!e " r"'ininnd. they were to take
W stnti,i in trees nnd clumps of
Zn!2 XUk l'eter designated much
2 ht, ll0"s,- The '"o e.vcd his
"inner incket win, r,, n.i... , ...i
ibem .1 t.tl? nwe nnd Pcte(' Jnfouneil
anT,ifbnt. U ,wns tho 0,d mQn'B older
wi Li , hc', l ?ter- W0R KlnB to keep
watch from T iYm i r "u,""i I. 1
a blast f?n? iei V,16 hou??' but that
out lif " n ,vll,,t 8 W0U,J ,etch lllm
McOuire's w,"rno!1 th('m thnt u wfts
Villi,,... ..." w,Ml no,ln t III
me n. 1 ."" " nwnro of t'le watch -be
in "' tbnt tborcfoie there should
u no false alarms.
Guir1!!' i.1"'ly .e,,0UKh I,oter f0l''l Mo
on calm VtntV;c,y m'nr'y bordering
not & il?0 '"I'1 hml n drink. He had
ammr.nVi1 the rhots lVter "ad fired nor
cSnanutly, !a,l,uy ' he regular or
S " b-'Ube. The visitors had
PMtVMdUri'Bnrdea. t,,rm- i,,,0" the
wafynmar' aoun.,, wlth whlch Petcr
th? ene i'n' tai S,tl''U'1' wnH Making
cafn. iCktnllBl. And when the ladles
Pa0" downbtnlrs the two men ori tho
U the Ml""-' i".ftn.(1 Pe,cr w- presen ed
Plane ft,,0, tho I)nrt'-. "" 1
Thi i! 1 .ttliio and Mr. Moi daunt.
Peter's 1 n'! rH1,B ,ll0ll8e 8mlned
ent.iy r8v8e j,w eBtlmtttB ofhlij
1 kn estate of Jonathan A. ilio
J&lS. i"6 ' nominally thai 0
0're' ." 'j. iner 0 oof As
i h
n,tMi?ldS' c?r1,n1' b,d,1,nt Jlm lt
$JiAIls2 Delaplano at table.
JUIldred Delaplane wag tall, hand-
folTf;,dpk ? QUne. and made a
foil for Peggy's blond prettincss. Pater
9! u8"t her a step abovt Peggy In tho
SSi1!?!1 !ensoVnnd nJy learned after-
ff.H!f ' as 1ht ivai not vcry wel1 off.
Peggy was using her ai a run In thl
r Ln,id5,r; .Mordaunt, Peter didn't
k-Vj ' w uu.ngS wno was Jovial and
bald, mnnnirtvi n Ui.t . ' u," rrr
Si! P",.tf.'.,yh'ch' .Pt? tho effect of
listless BMnioa rawer weary and
JlcCrlllro mnt IMI- .1 it.. 1 . .
t..ub,e,fjrc,n Bm,les nnd K'onclng
uncnelly at doore and windows? Pet?
was worried too, not as to himself,
S'" Possible connection that
thn h.W b? "etween the man with
the dark mustache nnd tho affairs of
whnnatbn? ?Icau,lr,c', Mlld"d Delnplane
Si0 had, travel In Europo in anto
b0c"""? days, found much that was in-
iVZtin8 KrB fragmentary rem",
nlscenccs. She knew music too, and in
that KUi!!5ed. ?.?enrt Petcr "dmitted
that he hnd etudied. It was difficult to
lie to women, ho had found.
t,d "?' afte,r d!nn.cr thftt informaHon
having txnnsplred, ho wns immediately
lLtb? plano. ,st?01 y h's bostees,
who was frequently biased In her socio
judgment by Mildred Delnplane.
Pctor played Cyril Scott's "Sonz
& tho East," end then, sure of Miss
Delaplnne's Interest, an Etude of
berinbino, an old favorite of his which
teemed to express tho wood of the mo
ment. Tn,d al,t,h?, wh,, ho wn" nw of
J? a 1 ,ai! M.c(iu,r- Malod snuaroly In
the middle of tho sofa which commanded
an tho windows and doors, with one
innd nt his pocket, scowling and alort
by turns, for, though the night had
.'", sIowIy' lt wn" nw pitch black
outside. Peter know that McGuire was
thinking he hadn't hired his superin
tendent as a musician to entertain his
daughter's guests, but thnt ho wns pow
erless to interfere. Nor did hc wish to
excite tho reprobation of his daughter
by going Up and locking himself In his
100m. Peggy, having finished her clgnr
otte with Freddy on the portico, had
ctne in again nnd was now leaning over
the piano, her gazo fixed, like Mildred's,
upon Peter's niobilo fingers.
"You'ro rcnlly too wonderful n su
perintendent to be quite true," said
Peggy when Petcr hnd finished. "But
do give us a 'rag. "
Peter shook his head. "I'm sorry,
but I can't do ragtime."
"Quit your kidding! I want to
danco."
"I'm not cr kidding," said Pelor.
laughing. "I can't play lt at all not
ut nil."
Peggy gave him a look, shrugged and
wnlkivl to the door.
"Fred-diu-e!" she called.
Peter rose from the piano-stool, nnd
crosd to McGuire. The man's cigar
wns unsmoked and tiny bonds of sweat
t-tood out on his forehead.
"I don't think you need worry, sir,"
whispered Petor. "The men are nil
nround the house, but if you say, I'll
go out for another look around."
"No matter. I'll stick it out. for n
while."
"You're better off hore than any
where, I should eny. No ono would
dare "
Here Freddy at th piano struck up
"Mary" and further conversation was
drowned in co-nmotlon. Mildred Ucln
plnno wns pTO-emptcd by Mr. Glttings
nnd Peggy came whirling alone townid
I'Ucr, ntms extended, the paraimi for
the danco outweighing other piejudlces.
Peter took a turn, but four yearn of
war hnd done little to improve his steps.
"I'm afrnld all my dancing is in my
lingers." ho muttcrvu.
Suddonly, ns Freddy Mordnunt
paused, Peggy stopped and lowered her
unns.
"Good Lord !" she gasped. "What's
the mntter with pop?"
McGuire bad risen unsteadily and
wns peering out Into the dnrknei
through tho window opposito him, bU
face pallid, his lips drawn into a thin
line. Pegjy ran to him and caught him
by tho arm.
"What Is it, pop? Are you sick?"
"N-no matter. Just a bit upset. If
jou don't mind, daughter, I think I'll
be going up."
"Can I Jo anything?"
"No. Stay hero and enjoy your
selves. Just toll Stryker, will you,
Nichols, nnd then come up to my room."
Peggy wns regarding him anxiously
ns ho made his way to the door and in
tercepted Peter ns ho went to look for
tho valet.
"What Is it. Mr. Nichols?" she
asked. "lie may be sick, but it seem
to me " sho paused, nnd then, "Did
you see his eyes as bo looked out of the
window?"
"Indigestion," said Peter coolly.
"You'll soe after him, won't you?
And if he wants mo, just call over."
"I'm sure ho won't want you. A few
home remodles "
nd Petcr went through tho door,
Strjkcr had appeared raybtcriously from
somewhere and had already preceded
his niatitor up tho Btalrs. When Peter
reached tho landine McGuire was stand
ing alone In tho dark, leonlng against
the wall, his gaze on the lighted bed
room which the valet was carefully
examining.
"What is lt, sir?" asked Peter coolly.
"You thought ou baw something?"
"Yen out there on the side por
tico "
"You must be mistaken unless it
wns one of the watchmen "
"No, no. 1 saw "
"What, bir?"
"No matter. Do you think Peggy
noticed?"
"Just that you didn't beem qulto
yournclf "
"Hut not that I seemed or "
"Alarmed? I said you weren't
well."
Peter took the frightened man's arm
nnd helped him Into his room.
"I'm not, Nichols," ho gronned.
"I'm not myself."
"I wouldn't worry, sir. I'd say lt
wns ph ideally impossible for any ono
to approach the house without permis
sion. But I'll go down and have
another look around."
"Do, Nichols. But come bnck up
hero. I'll want to talk to jou."
So Peter weut down. And, evading
inquiries in the hallway, made bis way
out through the hall nnd pantry. Hero
a surprise awaited him, for as hc
opened the door there was n skurry of
light footsteps and In a moment ho
w8 ln tllP l'autry ince t
neth Cameron, who scemci
ninjwl at being discovered.
"What on enrth ore jou (
tne pantry iace to xace wuii
seemed mucn dls-
doing here?"
he asked in amazement.
Sho glanced ot his white shirt front
nnd then laughed.
"I came to help Aunt Tllllo dish up."
"You!" Ho didn't know why ho
should hnvo been so amazed at finding
her occupying n menial position in this
household She dldn'1' eim ti tn'nn"
tn the lioek stnlrs' And vet there sho
was in a plain blue gingham dress
which mado her becm much taller, and
n huge apion, her tawny hair cubtiug
iiiiiuullc bliiulows uiound her blue eyes,
which ho noticed seemed much daiker
by night than by day.
Sho noticed tho Inflection of his voice
and laughed.
"Why not? I thought Aunt Tlllle
would need me and besides I wanted
to peck a llttlo."
CONTINUED TOMORROW
rfS-.r
ifWEttlNG JPUBtlfa
THE GUMPS A Body Blow
I w n 1 11 Ml" MWtWf-i
1 - f - I .... . T
6U NMERE AVW A.MPV- VM
VlVAPPOIHtep VlHM tHEM- I I
POrit LIKE TMErt KT tU - J
JtMtX DON,s UOK MAn)KVVX
fi ttrr mc )
T'y I z )
SOMEBODY'S STENOGThe Very Idea!
r?GHTOl
VOE PLW
10 HOLES
AH' "THEAJ
AAIO THEAi
AT dEWKflMS ROAD HOUSE '.
THEV'RE.
For their 6tooD
ORNE OW
EATS-
1M THEOOOAfTRV,
R?WL
AH'THUM
irtiT- "
lr-
vwnM
The Young Lady Across the Way
We asked the young lady across
the way what ahe thought of syn
copated music and sho said old
fashioned Jars was etlll good enough
for her.
r-N.
l;- r x tn
bW&b
MOVIE FAN That Makes a Difference
Ort-H- Nick- Jusr Look at rHose
DARLING PANAAAS1 JUSTUiK
IM THE
rHE vaEa
t
tAUST
GET
ONE.',
PETEYIn Eight Years
-IMft SOW To
Wave lb leave here
"Cut Mv huscaud iusivrs
ou G"0lklf; Uohe WEyr
week t
"s
sx cr-s. got
jjii(j' v j3kWswmts
i
J
"p" "Jr1 rt
"llEDGBR-PHmSDPHIA, FEIDAlT,
Mts
V aOOt
TVE
VJROM3
WfaLL EAT
G00X MOKWUG
FOLKS
FAMOUS
ESPECULLV
L-
a
MIGHTY GOL DING TOUGH
MONIES! Voo
WHAT'S THE
fATTErC WirH
rta oaj r
ori :
She'd Be a Whisper
1 HES
T?ST(.ESS
4
I . '.' ' . 'i ' "'-. i
ifW THfi PoHpKH WHiCrl WootO tfKOOU&YeDLY' Mfj
v At HAvfi won First Prizp is 5MASHffff P'
J wKn-e tut WEKfi LirriHo r M4."r
3; -ftt. County ftoH. tei p T
jHOLV
WEAfci
3EEh HERE Two
Mouths
soppoo ro be
PH(TTOCAPHEtI.TOO
EXPRESSION 1 AU
- NEVER UOK .
UVt "TNt-
? PT Ea
r 4 II
w XJm Si
:
holy hooch
aievw rass
IS Woajerfjl'. 1
LUCK
izS
4f JL
SMoKiis- Tan- i can't,
a hat like that with
SL ' MV HEAP!
ss n 1NICODEMUS NACK
n Al&jilV00 LOOK JUST
HEAP
5UQH A
CisTekj To
That omly
CREATURE
-ViEVE OUCY.
"Io omThs .'.'
cS"osh- iHOOaiT
IT WAS lUo
Nfais
sV I
y it
3 0
&tJGTTST 1& tLfl&L
... .. ' - 1 ' ' ' ' -""' ' ' ' i
VJELL tooN'Y BLAME. "N VVlEVJ HE TOlO VOU ID UOOvT
I 1D TME BESfT HE CODLl - LOOK HAlUKrVU fc-
( ffiWmWwTtH 4 I AHP VJMEM VoU LOOKER fe
( H HANt TVIE CAMERA N11
CAuovrr Vou As Yoo were-JJ xlookp sfwM
-OH
FOR
By FONTAINE FOX
SCHOOL
j y h
I WORE. THIS) ACTOR'S TE Fofe
1-O0- I THlrtK THAT'S EaJoogH 1
iSTEN
ITS X0WE He
A AOT?LD OF GOOD
wy li
jr-A fc xz
MlW
4i bV
mMh,
5'"
Copjrtafct. 121. tar PnMlo blnr 0.
BOY. HOW
THEY CAM. DRESS
UP A CHICKEAi
Y&U . -
THEM VE WILU -
DAYS
Coryrlrtt. 1021. br Publto Ledrtr
SURE-
- Nick-
M-mmmjSt uj.
Eugene O'SRiEN
WARS A HAT LIKE
THAT
CZE J
E5ZT
rf
-
4
Si lS
,. .,,.
By Sidney Smith
By Hayward
AA15THR SAMTHEftS 0
WHAT DO VOO
AdEAAJ TO IAIFER?
nN. r .Ti
cmm,
m &Kiltml
L VSF
iftxpzM'' It1
A-E-KSW0t -If
tort ?VTWlh5
By Beeze
Co.
LOOK AT THE. AAONE.Y
H6. GETS For doing it I
xl;
N
iBFTpPJ
'Zcexr
By C. A. Voigld
We (.osr
The-e-'Poukids'
6
By DWIO
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