The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-07-09
CHAPTER XII.-continusd.

But | suspect Mr., Knapp makes
whirlpools instead of swimming into
them, l said meaningly.
"Ah. Henry" she said sadly, how
often have | told you that the best
plan may come to ruin in the market?
1t may not take much to start bould-
er rolling down the mountain-side, but
who is to tell it to stop when once 1t
is set going?"
81 think" said |, smiling, that Mr..
Knapp would ride the boulder and find
himself in a 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."
mo doubt" she said with trace Of
sarcasm in her voice.
And here he comes to do it, l ex-
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. Mr..
Knapp is as much afraid of woman's
tongue as you are. oh" she continued
after a moments pause, Il was going
to make you give an account of your
elf; but since you will tell nothing
must introduce you to my cousin, Mrs.
BCwser." And she led me, unresist-
ing to a short. sharp-featured woman
of sixty or thereabouts, 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
versational ring, | had never met
her equal before. nor have l met one
to surpass her since.
Had | been long in the city? She
ad 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
lIlIlC lCoS Lluu mai NCAOuos
Fortunately she required nothing
but an occasional murmur of assent in
the way of answer from me.
looked across the room to the cor.
ner where Luella was entertaining the
insignificant Inman. How vivacious
and intelligent she appeared! Her
face and figure grew on me in attrac'
tiveness, and 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 were plain.
ly 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 60
at large
"Oh, you see, maybe they cant be
sure about it. But I've heard it's a
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 idea about it, Mr. Wilton?"
Il think you are perfectly right"
said heartily, as she paused for an an
SWer.
"TheE I'll arrange it with the others
at once" she said.
This was a bucket of ice-water or
me. | had not the first idea of what
had committed myself.
mo, 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 nigh
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 wa:
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 hel
and the rest of us through Chinatown
"Yes, yes. l remember" | said un
bIushingly. "If can get away from
business, I'm at your service at any
time"
Then Mrs. Bowser wandered on with