Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-26
A Mystery
Romance
Copyright. 1909. by Dodd.
Mead Z Co.


en- man The life iu the open and I'M
der comparatively unconventional sur
rouudinEs was much iu the nature OF
a revelation 90 the New York society
woman. and the novelty OF 70 AN made
a vivid impression on her.
10 was many months after the last
described interview between Broder-
lex and Murgatroyd that Shirley ar
rived back In her beloved New York
once more.
At the station exit she hesitated as
20 where she would 60. as she had not
notified any OF her friends OF her re-
turn. Finally she concluded TO go 20
the Bellerophou. an aristocratic and
conservative hotel. where her family
were known, and she asked the head
station porter 20 summon her a cab.
AT sight OF the unpretentious hostel
~, which rejoiced In the distinction OF
possessing such resounding name.
Shirley was conscious OF q variety Of
emotions For a time iu the old DAYS
II had been the fashion 20 patronize
the Bellcrophon. and Murgatroyd had
been the FIRST 90 take her there
They showed her to her room. "a won
derfully old fashioned room without a
particle Of brass or glitter in it, Even
the bedstead was OF wood. a good. sol
81 invitation Co homeiike rest and
slumbor
Shirley picked up ono Of the papers
lying on the table She started and
laughed guuuly. A name had caught
her eye-Murratroyd, Paper after pa
per she now scanned. and an mention
ed his name. and with % invariably
was coupled another name-Thornel
The Pillar. the most conservative even
Ing paper iu the city. was holding up
its hands in rcycrcnual hero worship.
In two column article 60 reviewed
Murgatroyd's record from it's iuvari-
ably impartial viewpoint "MurCatroyd
had been clean" 10 said His repu-
tauou was uusuIicd" Dc even re-
ferred 20 the Chauoncr Incident as
pitiful piece OF f8lsehool which had
strengthened Murgatroyd m his posi-
ton. Shirley cried out "Oh. what a
hypocrite he ISL
lt was after S o'clock when shirley
was reminded % "a sudden that she
was desperately hungry. Once iu the
dining room. she directed her steps 90
"a small alcovc Shirley threw glance
around the room. Palms screened her
table. making &c impossible FOR her 90
be seen, although Il was perfectly easy
for her 20 see every one In the room.
The air OF the city was full OF lie
and body. 10 gave her an appetite.
She enjoyed her dinner thoroughly.
and yet her thoughts wandered.
II only Billy bad been different
suddenly the palms were parted. aud
Eat man approached her table. On
seeing IL occupied ne mumbled his sur
prise aud backed ont again. But while
.puShing HIS way through the palms be
extended a short arm and said;
THAT table over there. then"
The remark was made 90 a compan-
ion. whom Shirley could not see. An
answer OF disappointment however,
came In a mans voice And the fat
man-his face was strangely familiar
Shirley was sure.
BrOderick- that was the mantle
funny. vulgar politician who had been
pointed out 70 her at the Challoner
Il
Of his stamp was doing IN the Bellero-
phon, somehow ne did not seem to
belong there. She noted now broad.
how terribly broad, was his back.
But a power In polltics-the real
thing" she murmured 10 was not
surprising, she told herself. that men
OF refinement hesltated long before
going into politics II this were a type
OF the men they had 20 compete with.
Her thoughts running on in this strain.
she determined out Of curiosity 10 get
a glimpse Of Broderick's companion.
The man sat facing her
AT the FIRST glace Shirley was star
tied. NO; it can't be possible that
At that instant the stranger looked up
and dispelled her doubts. She was face
20 face with the man who had filed
her thoughts for the last two hours.
And so that is Billy MurgatrOydr'
she gasped. lie was different from
the man she had pictured. And she
would have gone on indefinitely crit
cising his looks. but she was suddenly
interrupted by the sound OF voices. II
was Frederick talking, his big voice
filling the room. Shirley listened at
tentively.
Blamed good place 10 get away
from the gang" he was saying. and
there was a satisfied look on his face
as be glanced about the room.
SIurgatrOyd leaned forward and
spoke Instantly the tone Of his voice
and his manner told the girl that the
relations between the two men were.
In a degree, confidential Broderick
assumed the attitude OF a political adj
wiser Shirley observed that he yes
ticulated a great deal. Dot in none Of
his movements was there a suggestion
OF hostility.
"And this is the use that Murgatroyd
has made OF poor Mlriam's money!
she cried 10 herself He's bribing the
enemy
Shirley bowed her head In shame.
Presently she lifted 1t again. Muir
gatroyd rose and walked up and down
behind the table. and. unseen herself,
she scrutinized him closely.