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B-12 . This Strange Adventnre By Mary Roberts Rinehart Copyright. 1829, b? North American Newspaper Alliance and Metropolitan Newspaper Service. SYNOPSIS. Missie Dexter's life has been one of tragedy and sorrow. Her father, Lambert Colfax, was a member of an aristocratic family, and married Stella, burlesque actress. When Missie was a little girl her father deserted her and her mother and Stella, after futile at tempts at reconciliation, killed herself. Missie went to live with her grand mother, old Mrs. Colfax, who adored her son. Lambert; tolerated her daugh ter, Adelaide, and had disinherited an other daughter, Cecily. When Missie was 20, she was married off to Wesley Dexter. She did not love him, and his affection for her was short-lived. After j several years she met Kirby Phelps. It > seas a case of love almost at first sight. But meantime Missie had had a son, Eddie, and for his sake she determined to forget Phelps and make a success of her marriage. Dexter’s infidelities and brutality, however, finally drove her frantic. She left him and sent for Phelps, intending to beg him to rescue her from an intolerable situation. But after only a lew hours of separation from her child she realized she must re turn to him, in spite of her attitude toward her husband or his attitude toward her. At first Dexter refused to allow her to return, but Tommy Wil kins, the husband of Missie's step-sister, Eileen, and one of Dexter’s business as sociates, effected a truce. Missie went back and tried to forget her unhappi ness in caring lor her child. Her grand mother and Cecily died, and her scape grace father and Adelaide came to make their home with her. TWENTY-FIFTH INSTALLMENT. TIME moving on now, relentlessly. Eddie going to dancing school. Tommy building automobiles in quantity, growing richer all the time, carrying Kirby up with him. and Wesley. The leisurely days gone: talk now of drive, of efficiency, complaint of pressure. Wesley was a tired man. prematurely old. Sometimes Missie thought he felt this. He would make an effort to talk to the boy. but his attention would flag. Missie had accepted her life. At night sometimes she dreamed of Kirby Phelps: that, curiously faithful heart of hers •would not let go of him. But when she saw him, as now she occasionally did. there was no attempt on his part to remind her of that brief episode of theirs. Just how much she had built on Kirby she did not know until she lost him. Lost him, ironically enough, not by death or tragedy, but to another woman. One cold January day Missie took the carriage—Wesley still considered motors bourgeoise—and drove out to the coun try club, and walked over the frozen links. When she went back to the club house. Kirbv was there, sitting alone in a big chair by the fire. “I was thinking of you, Missie.” He got up, drew' a chair for her. But he did not sit down. "What were you thinking?” •‘I was wondering if you could see mv feeling for you, what it is and al. ways will be. And yet try to under atand something I want to say.” "I can understand anything from you, Let me put my case, Missie,” he said. “I have loved you long and well. I have —reverenced you. I loved you too well to try to keep you when you came to me. I knew you wanted your boy: you are that sort. No lover, no husband, Could compensate you If you lost him. And I have lived on the husks of love ever since. Don’t misunderstand me, I am no plaster saint, but I have done my best.” . , He paused, but she had nothing to say. She was waiting with the terrible patience of women, for what was coming. "I have found a woman who cares for me,” he said, almost abruptly. “Ants I need a home, a home and children. I am lonely Missie.” Once more she had the queer con striction, the sickening breathlessness. She wanted to shriek aloud that she. was lonely, too; to beat her hands on his chest and implore him not to desert her, not to take away her dream once ! more: to beg him to stand fast and ; save her from all the empty years to ! come. But her lips were stiff. She could not move them. "Does that shock you, Missie? Or hurt you?” She found her voice. "No,” she said. "It is very natural. I am glad you are being honest with me. After all. I can give you nothing.” : "You have given me a great deal, for a long time ” "Is she—young?” "In her twenties. She is rather like you.” She flushed, but she was still out wardly quiet. "I am not committed. I know, as a man does know those things, that she is willing to marry me. But I wanted to see you first. I wanted to know if there was any other hope, and I wanted to be honest with you.” "I never had any hold on you, Kirby dear. You have always been free.” "I have never felt free, nor wanted to.” Then he made a last impulsive gesture to her, caught her hand and held it to his cheek. "If I : had only kept you, my darling, when you came to me!” Some Inkling of her tragedy must have come to him when he touched her hand, icy cold as it was. But her eyes Were steadfast, her face quiet. "I want you to be happy.” she told him. "And I cannot be selfish. I have had you to myself for a long time.” She left him composedly enough, went home to her house, to her life. She heard nothing from Kirby. The Winter dragged on. and Spring came. There had been no announcement, nothing. Then one night in May she went into Wesley's room to open the window. She stood there, breathing in the early Summer night. As her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, she saw that a man was standing quietly across the street. For a moment she felt that their glances crossed, that the eyes in the shadow' below were fixed on her intently. Then the figure moved away with quick nervous footsteps. Kirby’s walk. She waited breathless until he reached a street lamp, but he did not pass under it. She could not toll whether it was Kirby or not. The next morning at breakfast Wes ley opened an envelop, stared at the rc ntents and then grinned as he passed it to her. She was aware of his eyes JUNIPER TAR COMPOUND GIVES Quick Relief FCR Colds, Coughs due to Colds, and Common Sore Throat ' DON’T EXPERIMENT! This old reliable inedtrine has relieved thou sands — it will relieve you. Ask Grandma — She Knowtl 35c At All Druggists on her as she took it. It was an invita tion to Kirby’s wedding. She was glad that Kirby had sent the Invitation; glad that he was so honest. In effect he had said to her: "See, now, I want you to have this. It is important to me that you have it. Between us there can be nothing underhanded.” When Eddie was 13 he went away to school. The night before he left Missie sat preparing his outfit for him. She was through, now. She had done her part. Henceforward other people would guide Eddie. Yet how short a time she had had with him; it was only yesterday that she had shouted that the baby was in the satchel, and now here she was, alone again. One paid a price for security, and then there was no security. One loved, and as if that were a signal, the thing one loved was taken away. She had no confidence in life that night. She called the roll of the years, and saw one after another the milestones which had marked it. Little joys, great griefs, that was life. When Eddie came in, however, he found her placid, her hands working busily. "Gee!” he said. “I feel rotten about leaving you.” "You’ll be home often, and I can go on. You’ll write regularly, won’t you?” He was very long as he knelt down by his bed to say his prayers that last night. He was not a litle boy any more. She knew, as she listened, that she was passing another milestone; that never again would he kneel there while she sat by: “God bless daddy and mother and Adelaide and grandfather.” He alw.ys put Wesley first. That was her work, was what she had built. “Daddy and I have been talking about Christmas.” "Daddy has been studying your school report, dear.” "Daddy thinks you might like a party on your birthday.” The rugs lifted, a piano and a violin, and an early supper of creamed chicken and ice cream. She would hovei over the table, helping to pull the crackers, adjust the paper caps, distributing the , ribbons of the Jack Homer pie. And when it was over she would hurry to get the house In order before Wesley came back. "What’s all the mess about?” "I told you, Wes. Eddie’s had a party.” "Dirty little devils!” But when Eddie gravely thanked him ; for the party he ironically accepted the thanks. “Had a good time, eh?” "Fine, daddy.” Sometimes he would glance at Mis sie. What was she getting at? Was she trying to win him back through the boy? The idea flattered him without i touching him; unconsciously he would straighten his tie. Late that last night she went into I Eddie's room. He was sleeuing soundly, ! a handsome boy, with Wesley’s head and Lambert’s long, slim body. She \ wondered what that queer mixed her edity would do to him. What had she given him to offset it, she with her own weaknesses, her lack of heroic stature. ! She had tried; taken him to \ church with her, for she wanted him j to have a God, not the j Jehovah of her grandmother, but ! ‘So Skinny I Was Ashamed to IW on a Bathing Suit New IRONIZEDYEAST Builds Weight, Strength, JL Nerve Force. Quick Results —or No CostJjggl Ends Constipation, Indigestion, Nervousness. Clears Complexion H Thousands of thin, run- makes you ashamed. Get IRONIZED down, muddy-com- YEAST from druggist today. Watch plexioned people have how quick you gain flesh, pep, clear skin, quickly gained normal _. „ Al . . weight, be.utifui .kin, Strengthens Stomach and Nerves. Ends Constipation j added in S weeks. New pep from the People are amazed and delighted at the j very first day. Rich, red blood from wonderful appetite and perfect digestion the very start. Scrawny neck and limbs this new Yeast give*. Constipation end* become gracefully rounded. Skia cleers right away. Nervouaness, dizziness, like magic. biliousness, headaches vanish over- ! Ul a |» « • n A * I night. Sound sleep first night. Rich, i VfhV YOU bain O 0 UUICK red blood at once. No yeasty taste. No This new, more powerful mONIZED f- Xt YEAST is two marvelous tonice in one— * eel gre,t tomorrow specially cultured, weight-building Malt I ■*> lt. n D.*b AmZTT Yeast end strengthening, blood-enrich- I Try It Oil MOtI6y~DBCK Uft®r I ing Iron. Highly concentrated by a ™ new process which makes it many Go to any druggiat today and get a full timet more effective than unmedicated aize treatment of IRONIZED YEAST. { yeast. Gives result! in half the time Take it regularly as directed on bottle, required by ordinary yeaet and iron If after this generous trial you are not taken separately. delighted with weight and health So quit being “skinny,” run-down, benefit* gained, your money promptly | tired, with a blemished complexion that refunded bv manufacturer. Thousands Praise IRONIZED YEAST Teacher Gains 18 Lbs. Gets Rich Red Blood j "Gained IS lb*, in two month* taking "Wa» run-down but since taking : IRONIZED YEAST. Also got more energy IRONI/.FD YEAST am no longer tired . , . by hard work (ironworker). Have good and Improved complexion. —L. L. Clark, rr(t h | ood Gained 14 lb*.”—Frank Dolan, t Deßuyter. N. Y. New York City. ! —■ , " : ; 1 What Are You Doing For 9 | That Stiff Swollen Joint • Did you ever stop to think that and other aches and pains Ret out! many times the inexpensive remc- . **' vc your ailing, pain-tortured t . joint a joyful treat tonight—give dies are the best. j t a g ()()( | rubbing with JOINT- j i Many a man has lost a week’s KASE and tomorrow morning if; Usages with a slow-acting remedy >°u don t say that the 60 cents you ! when one or two good rubbings l ,a, d ,sn 1 the greatest investment with swiftly penetrating JOINT- ever made, get your money EASE would have kept him on his hack from any druggist in America. : o jj Peoples Drug Stores knows all about | 1 the goodness of Joint-Ease. Now just hear in mind, that a nprr Send for 12 day trtal tube I generous tube of JOIN!-EASE * to ~o ps. laboratories, costs hut 60 cents and when Desk 3, Hallowell, Maine.—Advertise- I ! JOINT-EASE gets in joint agony menk t r _ THE EVENING STAR. WASHINGTON, D. C. t FRIDAY. JANUARY 10. 1930. a loving and understanding one. On Decoration days he always went with her to fix her graves. But here, too, she was careful. He was to have no horror of death. One day there, how ever, he frightened her. "When I grow up,” he said, I m going to be a soldier.” "There are other kinds of courage i than the courage to fight, Eddie.” “What?” he said. "Making money j and sitting around clubs?” It was then that she had decided he ' must go aw'ay. He was growing up. It w'ould be easier at a distance. Clare, | Eileen’s girl, had already gone. She w r as a pretty child, spoiled and head strong, and Eileen had shipped her off with relief. But Missie was different. She held off for a while. Then one day they took a drive Into the country. Wesley had abandoned the carriage at last, and bought a limousine. They had a breakdown, and the chauffeur hailed a passing car. Not until it had slowed up did she see that Wesley was driving it. 1 and that there was a woman beside him. He recognized the car at the same : moment and, muttering something, drove on. But Eddie had seen him. "Why, it’s dad! It’s dad, and he didn’t know us!” "Never mind. There will be another car along soon.” "Who was with him, mother? Who was the lady?” "Perhaps it was Aunt Eileen.” "It wasn't. I never saw her before.” She glanced at Adelaide, but Adelaide was looking straight ahead. Then at last she knew that he must go. She saw him off with a smile that next day. He was gone. He would come back, from school, from college, but he would never be entirely hers again. She went back to the house, to Adelaide and Wesley, to Eileen’s occasional visits, and to such dreams as remained to her. That Fall she had a talk with Wesley. It was not easy to talk to him. For years now their relationship had been limited to the surface affairs of their common life. But as Christmas vaca tion approached she took her courage in her hands and went to him. "Eddie will be back on the twenty first. Wes. and I think we ought to have a talk first.” "What about?” "About you and me, and this house. He has been away to school. He will have learned —things. He’ll only be here for 10 days. Wes, and I would like things to be happy for him.” “What do you want me to do?” “Just to be careful. A boy needs to look up to his father. It isn’t enough that you are successful: he needs more than that. He's not a baby any longer. And he’s fond of you, Wes. I’ve never interferred with that. You must give JL \J Round || CHICAGO | Saturday, Jam-* 18 | B.lumin, Sunday, January II SPECIAL TRAIN i Lv. Washington 1:10 P.M. 1 Lv. Baltimore (Penna. Sta.) 2:12 P.M. SSj Returning, Sunday, leaves Chicago NxS | 6:45 P M., Central Time. Ss Coach Lunch Service by Pennsylvania ® Railroad Attendants ALL STEEL EQUIPMENT Pennsylvania Railroad p me that credit. He thinks you are a great man.” "And I’m not! I suppose that’s the inference?” "No. But there is a certain amount of illusion in all hero worship. I want him to keep it as long as he can.” But he understood her. He went on with his shaving, puffing out his heavy cheeks to let the razor slide over them, careful not to meet her eyes in the glass. He was 52; his good looks were definitely gone, his hair was graying rapidly. She felt a wave of pity for him that day. It was not his big lusty body which ruled him now, but some thing rather pathetic, a refusal to ad mit approaching age, a desperate cling ing to youth and the illusion that he could buy romance and love. "You can count me in. I’ll do my bit.” A few days after that he called her into his room. The summons startled her; it was an unwritten law that she never enter there while he was present. He was standing on the hearth, and he Start Saving Now For Your Future Comfort! You can make your future ' """ one of comfort, if you deposit Kf| |j a part of your income with p We WE PAY I systematic regularity. Start in | Have now by opening an account U Financed __ !V with us—One dollar will start fIHV OJ-j ij you on the right track to indc- j| City pendence. 1 of / | Open daily 9to 5 |i Homes" m lijt Saturday until noon Sfl'T'ft ■ National fiflSrs \ OR MORE ( , j j on your Permanent ifaNbCt: Savin " I Building Association kiifijjli' I J Organized mo / 949 Ninth Street N.W. J&w' Jiist Below N. Y. Avenue Ok Palais Royal G STREET AT ELEVENTH TELEPHONE DISTRICT 4400 fh Smart Lingerie in the 1930 Manner Jjgjl Silk Underwear & Costume Slips |||lHKl Gowns ... Chemises .. . French Panties ... SpATahy Priced Dancettes . . . Petticoats ]yj en ’ s Fashioned of back satin, george tte or crepe de chine. And slips in every " H HT *1 rl conceivable variety—in lines suited to the new dresses —including flared W % an • ai ored models, backless, princess, taxi and w rap-around styles. In white and charm- Ties ing colors, some daintily trimmed with novelty laces, others neatly tailored. JKkmtt PALAIS ROYAL—Third Floor Regularly $1J)0 98c For a glove-like \ ff l Ideal for the office , . . t smoothness of fit Ifrnlik il home or studio The great majority of men U iWi I^-41 / opporTimhy'lo Athdlß NOVfiltV pay 98c for similar neck- X VU ” ▼ vllj All new patterns heauti- Union Suits | Ctnr»r>lrc S, fi ± h ' d o f V„c7'.nd fymJßm The Sale That Comes OLIILJL.IVS conservative styles from -POP \Y OlTien j iA> TiMj'ljSV A But OtlCe a Year! t Ik./r cs* i which to make selection. • _ ~ I f[ J # In Many otyleS Fiction ,08-08 /je¥%. 1.19 By Your Favorite Authors | Jj*'* m J f l Smocks with the new flared i — p\ J PflCn back or with the all-around So many women swear by Athena . fV/ * /# * V ' m * belt—smocks that are double \ / union suits because of their per- . ......... v I feet fit and durability. This re- Bqokworms, provide yourself against the long breasted or single breasted. ■.. ’Yr / duction in price will be good news, Winter evenings ahead. Here are romance, a4ven- Smocks in modernistic or \SPgP/ therefore Theyre ma . dc .u of *T o1 ture, mystery, by writers whose names are house- * floral designs, or in solid col- SSSrtft tor r xr.!m« o' y.t' hold Jrf«. Reprinted in attractive volume, that or. Made of sateen, broad w>r * In bodice style, with pretty rib- you’ll enjoy adding to your collection. Don t fail cloth or ra\ on. I.\cry one is lVien S bon straps. Sizes 38 to 44. to be here tomorrow, for only once a year can we £ a y* colorful, new—and most Port. Wool Recently these were $1.59, bet now offer you this great pleasure at such a low price. moderately priced. Small, I art-wool a't'sU9 g MtA/s m*r medium and large siaes. Socks PALAIS ROYAL—Main Floor I ■■ Regularly 75c ; 2 prs., Continuing Our January Clearance of Checks, jacquard designs HiT • .g -w -jr Hf* • > 'Y A j y Men s and Y oung Men s Y-/ All-Wool Overcoats and’ /ff»U\ j, 11| Two-Trouser' Suits fQn Tift O C SO or~2 “ U A 1 Z7) <<* * s ° lg| -A_ j? , 7 T 1 We cannot afford to mar our 53-year-old reputation for Good Clothes by |||!||| > , Flannelette offering clothes below standard in this great clearance. You get what your ||||||l / / . money pays for in every instance. j p Pajamas The Suits ... 25.50 The Overcoats... 25.50 l||§| A n„ / / »1 sq Absolutely correct as to style and Dressy blue double-breasted models, \ L Kegtuariy il'Oy quality! Tailored to wear right! Sized W ith velvet collars! Single-breasted 1 'J Ci TOe"re r i'l ht wool P an^th2re f am®M collegiate D B box models, in light or \A\ for conservative or young men. dark shades of gray, herringbone and M S Cheviots, worsteds and cassimeres, in blue heather mixtures. D B half belt . two or three button models. The fleece coats in oxford gray. Satin or 1/ t Kavon frog, trimmed or season’s newest shades of brown, tan rayon linings. All seams piped and \S\ A plain. Amoskeag and other and gray are well represented, also well finished. Undoubtedly 25.50 does f 0 fine fabrics. Every gar- many smart new mixtures. Sizes not usually buy these styles, qualities V. ment cut full. Sizes A, B, 34 to 46. and values. C and Din the lot. .. „ , V""J PALAIS ROYAL—Mailt Floor PALAIS ROYAL Main Floor »—rr-M ' l - r " . '" '■ : ' held a parcel in his hand. It was a gold watch for Eddie, marked Inside the case, “To Colfax Dexter from his father.” and the date. Wesley was watching her, half sheep ishly. “Got to keep up the illusion, you know.” She knew then that she could have loved him. This warmth of the heart was not what she had felt for Kirby, but it was love of a sort. There was one Wesley that she hated, and one, boyish and furtive and deeply hidden, that she could have worshiped. Per haps even then, if she made a gesture of peace But she was afraid, and the next mo ment he had slipped the watch back into his pocket. So Eddie came home. He had grown that Fall, was broader in the shoulders. Little girls called him on the telephone | and he would assume an air of boredom j and carry on endless disjointed con versations with them. And Wesley was Indeed doing his bit. During that week, at least, those secret haunts of his saw him no more. He had bought a small pool table for Ed die, and in the evenings he taught him the game. "Watch this, son!” When it was bedtime Eddie would gravely consult his new watch, and Ok Palais Royal — .. . —' wmmm \ Another January Event and Other Fine Shoes at Spectacular Savings Broken size lot Regular $8.50 Regular $lO $6 to $lO. Now lot, now lo f t, now 4.69 6-88 7.65 Join the lucky hundreds who have already been fitted with a smart pair of dress, street or business shoes. Correctly styled for Winter, made to last and to keep their shape. Straps, ties, pumps, of patent, reptile, black or brown suede, black or brown kid, and black satin. Get here while fhere’s still a variety of choice. PALAIS ROYAL—Second Floor • %, sometimes they went up the stairs to gether. Father and son. Missie, wait ing below to put out the lights, would thank Ood for that week of peace and security. But it was not to last. (Continued In tomorrow's Star.) School Gets $300,000. DURHAM, N. C., January 10 {#).— Dr. W. P. Few, president of Duke Univer sity, has announced that the General Education Board of New York had au thorized grants to the institution’s School of Medicine totaling $300,000 and running through a five-year period.