Evening star., 1909-02-28

the bank clerk, and the sleeping car company
Mackenze's curt acceptance of her mission brought
a wondering cry to her lips.
II am naturally overloyed at my selection for
this work she said. May ask how you came to
think of me.''
oh it is hard to say how these things are de
termined.' he answered. I'VE liked your crisp
way of putting dull facts, l suppose, and thought
that young lady impressions of life in an Anglo
Swiss summer community would be fresher and
attractive than mans, That is all hope
YOU will enjoy your experiences.
But, please, | want to thank yOu-'
Not word! Business is business, you know.
If thing is worth doing, it must be done we'll.
GOodbv.'
He fattered himself that he could spend another
mans money with as lordly an air as the youngest
journalist Fleet-st. The difficulty was to find
the man with the money, and Mackenzie had given
much thought during the Sabbath to the potential
ties that lay behind Spenser's whim He was sure
Miss Wyntons articles. Judiciously handled, her
unknown benefactor might prove equally beneficial
to The Firehv."
60 Helen tripped out into Feet-st and turned her
- pretty face westward, and looked so eager and
happy that it is not surprising if many man eyed
her she passed, and many woman sighed to
think that another woman could find life in this
dreary city such joyous thing
A sharp walk through the Strand and across
Trafalgar Square did good deal toward restoring
the poise of her wits For safety, she had pinned
the enveop containing her paper money and tickets
inside her blouse The mere presence of the solid
little parcel reminded her at every movement that
she truly bound for the wonderful Engadne,
and now that the notion was becoming familiar,
The FREELY had fallen on her 1t al! very
well for Mr. Mackenzie to say that the paper would
be frightened by woman views on l1te IN the
high Alps The poor, worn man looked as If such
a holiday would have done him world of good.
But the certain fact remained that there was no
room for error 1t she, Helen Wynton, and
other. for whom the gods had cOntrived this
miracle. If it had been possible she would have
crossed busy Cockspur-st. with a hop, skip, and
jump in order to gain the sleeping car company's
premises.
She knew the place we'll Many time had she
boxed at the attractive posters in the windows
those gorgeous fysheets that told of winter in
summer among the mountains of Switzerland and
the Tyrol. and of summer in winter along the sunlt
shores of the Cote d'Azur. She almost laughed
aloud at the thought that possessed her she
waited for moment on the curb to allow press
of traffic to pass.
If my luck holds till Christmas, l may be sent
to Monte Carlo she said to herself. And why
not It's the first step that counts. and The Fire
1v, fairly embarked of wild
travagance may like it well enough to keep it up
Under the pressure of that further inspiration
~ she refused to wait any longer, but lodged
omnibus, motor car, and some hansoms and pushed
open the swing doors of the Bureau de la Compagne
des WagonslitS She did not notice that the auto
mobile stopped very quickly few yards up the street.
The occupant, Mark Bower, aghted, looked at her
through the window to make sure he not mis-
taken, and followed her into the building. He
addressed some question to an attendant and heard
Helen
Yes please. Thursday will suit admirably
going straight through to ST. Moritz. l shall
call on Wednesday and let you know what day
wish to return.
If Bower had intended to speak to her, he seemed
to change his mind rather promptly. Helen's back
turned. She watching a clerk writing out
a voucher for her berth in the sleeping car, and the
office full of other prospective travellers discuss
ing times and routes with the officials Bower
thanked his informant for information that he could
have supplied in ampler detail himself. then he went
out and looked again at Helen from the doorway;
but she wholly of his