The Columbus journal., 1908-07-15
CHAPTER XlI.-Continued.

| BuJ 1 suspect MI. hudHp NdAts
whirlpools instead of swimming into
them | said meaningly.
"Ah. Henry" she said sadly, how
often have | told you that the best
| plan may come to ruin in the market
IL may not take much to start a bould
| er rolling down the mountain side, but
who is TO tell it to stop when once it
is set going?'
Il tl>nk." said /, smiling. that Mr..
Knapp would ride the boulder and find
himself in gold mine at the end of
| the journey
Perhaps. But you're not telling me
what Mr.. Knapp is doing"
He can tell you better than l.
No doubt" she said with trace of
sarcasm in her voice.
And here he comes to do it, | en-
pect." | said, as the tall figure of the
King of the Street appeared in the
doorway opposite.
I'm afraid | shall have to depend
on the newspapers" she said. MIR.
KNAPP is as much afraid of a woman S
tongue as you are. Oh" she continued
after Z moments pause. Il was going
to make you give an account of your
Se.f: but since you will tell nothing |
must introduce you TO my cousin, Mrs.
Eowser." And she led me. unresist-
| ing. to a short, Sharp-featureG woman
Of sixty or Whereabouts. who rustled
her silks, and in a high. thin voice
prOfessed herself charmed TO see me.
She might have claimed and held
the record as the champion of the con-
her equal before. nor have | met one
10 surpaSs her since.
Had | been long in the city? She
had been here only week. Came from
Maine way. This was dear, dreadful
city with such nice people and such
dreadful winds, wasn't it? And then
she gave me a catalogue of the places
she had visited. and the attractions OF
San Francisco. with a wealth of de
tail and a poverty of interest that was
little less than marvellous.
Fortunately she required nothing
the way OF answer from me.
| locked across the room TO the cor
ner where Luella was entertaining the
insignificant lnman. How vivaciOuS
and intelligent she appeared. Her
face and figure grew on me in attrac-
tiveness. and l felt that | was being
Very badly used. AS came to this point
| was reused by the sound of two low
voices that just behind me We're plain
~ audible under the shrill treble of
Mrs Bowser. They were women with
their heads close in gossip.
Shocking. isn't it," said one.
Dreadful" said the other 1T gives
me the creeps to think of it,
Why don't they lock him up? Such
a creature shouldn't be allowed to go
at large"
oh. you see, maybe they can't be
sure about it. But I've heard it's
case of family pride
| was recalled from this dialogue by
Mrs. Bowser's fan on my arm. and her
shrill voice in my ear with. What is
your luSd dDUul IL, Nj. w lltOl
Il think you are perfectly right" 1
said heartily, as she paused for an an
swer.
Then I'll arrange it with the others
at once" she said.
This was a bucket of ice-water on
me. l had not the first idea of what
| had committed myself.
No. don't l said Wait till we
have time to discuss it again"
''Oh, We can decide on the time
whenever you like. Will some night
week after next suit you?'
had to throw myself on the mercy
of the enemy.
I'm afraid I'm getting rather alb
sent-minded,' l said humbly. Il was
looking at Miss Knapp and lost the
thread of the discourse for a minute"
That's what l was talking about"
she said sharply-"about taking her
and the rest of us through Chinatown"
Yes, yes. l remember" l said un-
blushingly. If l can get away from
business, I'm at your service at any
time
Then Mrs Rowser wanderod m With