The Argosy, April 1916 — page 73: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A MYSTERY OF ROSCOE CONKLING PARK. seen Whipple’s sign, and, as he was a near neighbor, being close to the Parkway and Boulevard, I employed him and his brother James. James did have short hair and a peculiar complexion. They finished work about four o’clock on the day before the robbery, and of course, saw most of the presents, knew the plan of the house, and the habits of the household.” “This Dick Whipple has not long been a resident of Utica, I suppose,” said the judge. “No,” answered the chief, ‘‘and his name is not Dick Whipple at all, neither is it Edward Smith. I didn’t know him, but I know the chap with the short hair. Ais name is Pete Mennish, and he was sen- tenced to ten years in Auburn prison one year ago, and escaped about a month since. He lived in Rome. “It is all over, your honor These men are not far away, nor the women. They worked the plan of which Mr. Raymond was a victim. They do decorate interiors, and having located their booty, go and take it. T’ll have the four of them before to-morrow night, and all the wedding presents will be in Mr. Raymond’s house by Wednesday evening.” “This accounts for the smashed camera and the attack on Miss Wayne,” said the judge. “The robbers feared that Miss Wayne saw them, or that she had taken them in the picture. What they did not know was that Miss Wayne had exchanged films at Mr. Phrey’s place of business. Mr. Phrey, you have the thanks of the court. Prisoners are discharged with the good will and hope of the court that the future will bring them happiness.” “My child, my child,” sobbed Mr. Ray- mond, crushing Beverly to his bruised old breast, “can you ever forget and forgive the stupid cruelty of an old fool?” “Sure,” said Beverly, laughing with eyes full of tears. ‘It’s all over. Let bygones be bygones and dead dogs be buried. Let’s all go home and tell Nance all about it.” And Mr. Raymond, young and strong again, led Beverly, Yale, and Greenland to his automobile outside. The reunion at Raymond’s house has nothing to do with the story. The chief made good his word. Before Tuesday had come to a close the two in- terior decorators and their wives had been placed behind bars. On Wednesday two long coffin shaped boxes containing the . high places. 63 wedding presents arrived at Raymond’s house. ‘‘And now, since everything is as it should be, and Yale and Beverly have forgiven us for our foolish suspicions,” said Greenland, “T am going to be married next week, and they are going to stay to the wedding.” ‘“‘We have one of our own to take care of,” added Yale. ‘We are two waifs upon the turbulent stream of life and desire a rest from whirlpools and rapids. We are going to be married, eh, Bev?” “Why not make it double—an order for four instead of two?” suggested Greenland. “They can’t,” said Nancy, “though it would be lovely and deligh’ful. One of the contracting parties must live in the county where the licenses are issued.” “Don’t worry. Beverly and I will get our license. I am a resident of the county, and my home is Old Mill Farm, on West Canada Creek. And——” “Tt will be our home afterward, too,” said Beverly. “I am sick of hitting the A rocking chair for Sister Beverly from now on.” They all laughed and Mr. Raymond did— some writing. “This will be honored at the Oneida County Bank to-morrow,” he said, handing a check for fifty thousand dollars to Bev- erly, who almost fainted as she protested. “Take it? Of course you will take it. It is yours. You have earned it. In every Utica paper my offer of a reward for the first reliable clue has been printed. You furnished that clue when you took the flash- light picture. Now I’m going to have one good sleep. This is a happy house once more.’ It was, indeed, a happy house. Mrs. Raymond lay on a couch near her husband to soothe her exhausted nerves. Greenland and Nancy resumed the thread of an unin- terrupted courtship that had been so near disaster. Yale and Beverly had business of their own. Their short, swift courtship, was of the passionate, whirlwind order, as might be expected, and yet it was tempered by the repression natural to such self-contained natures. They were not as sentimental as Nancy nor as sulky as Greenland. The world was theirs and they enjoyed it all. Beverly made a deposit of her fifty thou- sand dollars for future investment. Then they went together to visit Williams at St. 1IOOOLK C@