Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-07-07

pleasurable It was a beautiful face.
He knew that In fraction Of the first
second.
The girl turned from bis gaze and
seated herself at a table 40 that he
caught only her profile. The change
delighted him. From the flush in her
cheeks h.s eyes travelled critically to
the rich glow Of the light in her shin
ing brown hair. which swept half over
her ears in thick. soft waves. caught
in heavy coil low on her neck,
Then for the first time he noticed her
dress. 1t puzzled him. Her turban
and muff were Of deep gray lynx fur.
Around her shoulders was cOllarette
Of the same material. Her hands we're
Immediately glOved. In every fea-
ture Of her lovely face. in every point
Of her dress. she bore the indisputab BILE
mark Of refinement. The quizzical
smile left his lips. The thoughts
which at first had filled his mind as
quickly disappeared. Who was she?
Why was she here?
With catlike qufetness the young
Chinaman entered hetween the screens
and stood beside her. On small tab
let which Rowland had not before ob-
served she wrote her order. 1t vas
for tea.
He poured bis last half cup Of tea
and when he lifted his eyes he was
surprised to find that the girl was
looking at him. For brief interval
her gaze was steady and clear. then
the flush deepened in her cheeks, her
long lashes dropped as the cold gray
of Howland's eyes met hers in un-
ninching challenge. and she turned to
her tea. Rowland noted that tue hand
which lifted the little Japanese pot
was trembling slightly. He leaned for
ward and. as IL impelled by the move
ment. the girl turned her face TO him
again. the tea urn poised above her
cup. In her dark eyes was an express
sion which half brought him to his
feet. wistful glow. pathetic and
yet half frightened appeal to him. He
rose and she nodded to the opposite
side OF her table.
Il beg your pardon" he said. seating
himself. May give you my card?"
The girl read his name. smiled across
the table at him and. with pretty
gesture. motioned him to bring his cup
and share her tea with her. He re-
turned to bis table, and when he came
back with the cup in his hand she was
writing on one Of the pages of the
tablet. which she passed across to him.
You must pardon me for not talk
ing" he read. Il can hear you very
we'll. but !. unfortunately. am mute"
II saw you from the hotel window
tonight" he began. land something in
your face led me to believe that you
were in trouble. That is why l have
ventured to be so bold I am the en-
gineer IN charge Of the new Hudson
Bay railroad, just on my way to LIE
Pas from Chicago. I'm a stranger in
town. I've never been in this-this
place before. It's a very nice tearoom.
an admira BILE blind for the opium stalls
behind those walls"
The girls eyes Travelled swiftly about
her.
II didn't know" she wrote quickly
and hesitated. Il am a stranger. too."
she added. Il have never been in this
place before. | came because
She stopped. and the catching breath
in her throat was almost a sob as she
looked at Rowland.
u came because you came"
"Why?" he asked. ''Tell me-why?'
He read her words as she wrote
them. leaning half across the table in
his eagerness.
u am stranger" she repeated. Il
want some one to help me. Acciden-
tally ! learned who you were and made |