The Argosy, January 1906 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

NO WAY OUT. “He has, eh? Wl attend to it.” “Perriam,” said the city editor, “that was fine work you did on that Meyer murder story yesterday. We beat the town. You'd better stay on the story, I guess. There may be impor- tant developments to-day. See Mr. Adrian again and find out if he’s got any word from his daughter.” “Vm going up to his office now,” re- pled Perriam. “ve just got a tele- phone message from him to come and see him.” “Good! Perhaps you'll land another beat. Cover the story thoroughly, and Spare no expense. You can take your own time and report at the office when- ever you like. I want you to catch Ladd if you can. It would be a good thing for the Star.” “All right, boss,” answered the re- porter, and wended his way to Walker Street. 3 He found Mr. Adrian in his private _ office, much excited. “TI haven’t slept a wink all night, Perriam,” he said. “I came down to business to-day, thinking that I could do no good by staying away and that work would keep me from worrying. But I can’t put my mind on my work.” “You must take it easy, Mr. Adrian. Rest assured that your daughter will be found O. K.. Haven’t you any word from her? I thought for sure that she would communicate with you in some Much obliged, boy. way.” “Yes. I received a telegram this morning. That is why I sent for you. It is from Rosa. It should have reached me last night, but the boy could not make anybody hear up at the house, it seems, so I didn’t get it until this morn- ing. Read it yourself, and see what you think of it.” He handed a typewritten telegram to the reporter, who read: Mr. Rospert ADRIAN: DraR Dap: Don’t worry at my ab- sence. Arthur is innocent. You must believe in him, and help him. Love. Rosa. * Humph! ” remarked Perriam, when he had read this brief message over twice. 297 “Does that telegram furnish any clue?” asked Adrian anxiously. “Clue! I should say so! You will notice this message was sent from the telegraph office at the Grand Central Station. She must have written it just before they got on the train. That ought to help us materially. I must visit the telegraph office at once, and see if I can learn anything there.” “Why, what do you expect they can tell you?” asked the merchant help- lessly. “Somebody in the office may have overheard them say where they were going.” “ Perriam,” said the old man earnest- ly, “bring back my daughter and have that villain punished as he deserves, and I will give you a thousand dollars.” “J don’t want money,” answered Perriam eagerly, “ but you can offer me another reward, Mr. Adrian, if you wish.” “What is it?” “Your daughter.” “But haven’t I told you that I have no objection to your marrying her if she will have you? It was she herself who refused you.” “Force her to marry me.” “JT don’t believe in a father forcing his girl against her wishes in such an important thing as matrimony.” “You have tried the other way. You have allowed your daughter to make her own selection, and you see what it has led to,” said Perriam bitterly. “It is true,” groaned the miserable father. “Oh, what a fool I was ever to have permitted that rogue to come into my house.” “Tt is not too late to make amends. If she is already married to this fellow, the marriage can be annulled under the circumstances.” “Tt shall be. I won’t have my un- fortunate girl linked to a murderer. You must find them and bring them back immediately, Perriam.” “And if I do, you will force her to marry me?” asked the reporter eagerly. “Force! How can I force her? If have never in my life been harsh to Rosa.” “This is a case where harshness is necessary. Your duty as a father de- “com chook -cO m