The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-07-10
THE YOUNG WOMAN TURNED QUICKLY.

THE YOUNG WOMAN TURNED QUICKLY.
ter's invitation for herself and her aunt
to see the performance.
This incident would not be important
except for strange thing which hap
pened in connection with it.
The theater was not far from Mrs.
Barclays, and, as the evening was
pleasant, both Grace and her aunt ex-
pressed a desire to walk. While the
play was in progress. however. the
weather changed, and when they came
out of the theater it was beginning to
rain.
Lancaster found carriage, and they
rode home. AS they stopped before the
door the rain began to fall in big drops,
and Lancaster hurried the two ladies
across the sidewalk to the door. When
he turned back to pay the cabman, he
was surprised to see the vehicle rapidly
moving away. The man had not even
asked for his fare.
1t may have been week after this
when Lancaster met Mrs. Barclay in
the hall of the boarding house as he
was going out one evening. He took
the old lady gently by the arm and led
her into the parlor, which was deserted
at that hour.
"Mrs. Barclay" said he, II want to
ask you a very serious question, and
| you must answer me with the exact
| truth. What have l done to offend
Miss Harwood?"
IIave you offended herr" asked the
old lady in tone which revealed clear
ly that she knew all about the matter.
Both her and her aunt" said he,
"and you must tell me how"
Harry Lancaster.' replied Mrs. Bar
clay. Il knew your father. and I've
known you more or less ever since you
We're a little boy. | can't believe that
there's any harm in one of your blood.
But-but I'm afraid you weren't al
ways careful enough about your asso-
GATES This big city is a terrible
place and
what in the world do you mean?"
demanded Lancaster
"Well," said Mrs. Barclay, taking a
long breath as one does at the begin
ming of Il disagrceable subject, II can
only tell what's been told to me. 1t
seems that your acquaintance are not
of desirable kind. Men that one
doesn't like to recognize bow to you on
the street. and for n young girl like
Grace HARDWOOD to be seen with Il man
who seems to know every corner loaf
err There, you mustn't be offended,
yet l can't help telling you. Why,
Grace's aunt told me that day before
yesterday most braZen creature with
diamonds the size of an egg and
bleached hair winked at you-winked
knowingly-and waved her hand to
you as if you We're an old acquaint-
ance."
but, blessed heaven" exclaimed
Lancaster. I'm not responsible for
what such creatures do. can't prevent
these people bowling to me. | have eX-
planned to Miss HARDWOOD and her aunt
that am evidently being mistaken for
: some questionable character well
; known in this neighborhood.'
. Mrs. Barclay coughed gently behind
her hand.
: ''Yes." said she, 81 was told that
l you'd said something of the kind All
+ she continued "a young man can't be
: too careful of his associates
d ''Confound it!' interrupted Lancaster
: These people are not my associates.
a never saw any of them before. But W,
: won't discuss it. I'll get to the bottom
e of this mystery first, and I'll do i
It right away. I'll go out and prov
y around this quarter, and the first rasca
J that kotows to me will get the trutl
choked out Of him mighty quick.