The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-10-19

eAihhihS VI AoluS dug lhihS luui
manners always so BEST mysterious,
and you seem to be the god of that
cheap theatrical lot"
"Oh, no I'm Just wondering about
this thing" Tillinghast's lips curled
curiously 81 wish there was some
thing in it, I'd like to stumble on to
anything unusual Maybe that's why
| read the Personals.
ITS only the evidence of morbid
mind" the other assured him quickly.
You'll be taking to the obituary col
umn next"
What would you have me do; sit
before the fire here until my feet get
so accustomed to the heat I'll have
TO wear overshoes TO bed--or have
chilblains for breakfast" He dealt
largely in after-thoughts.
"Tillinghast, you ought to open an
Office downtown and do something" /"
said the other seriously, for he dab.
bled in business three months of the
year
I'D rather open a bottle up town
and do nothing" was the abrupt re-
ply, as Tillinghast rose, busted the
ashes from his immaculate afternoon
trousers and Dade his friend a curt
goodby
Tillinghast was a horrible example
even in the Van Rensselaer, Club,
where wealthy idlers were the rule.
It was said that he would sit up all
night rather than take his shoes off
alone If his man were not there to
put the trees in them. Some pitied
him for having absolutely no ambition,
further than that of spending his
hundred thousand dollar a year in
come.
He stepped into his limousine at
the door and sat for several minutes,
wondering vaguely what to do with
the afternoon.
"Oh, ought to pick out some place
cards for the dinner tomorrow, he
sighed guiltily. mo, I'll mott It's
quite too tedious" Through the speak
ng-tube he abruptly ordered his dri-
yer to take him to 244 West Thirty
fifth Street
Sinking back comfortably on the
cushions. he pressed the button at his
side and out slid a little gold ciga-
rette box, the cover open. Tillinghast
idly selected a cigarette and puffed it
meditatiyely until the car came to a
stop before his number.
He threw the STUMP away reluctant
~ and sauntered up the steps to the
dingy, brown-stone front. as though
bent on an afternoon call A down
at-the-hees woman, with brilliant eyes
and q complexion TO match, which
showed the ravages of time and pig
ment, answered his ring.
May see Miss McArthur?" he
asked. ,
The woman looked at Aim her face
twisted into an uneasy smile.
you amt a reporter or anything
like that?" she queried.
NO" answered Tillinghast, I'm
afraid | couldn't qualify, If you will
tell Miss Macarthur l believe | can
give her some information concerning
the lady she is advertising for, I think
she will see me-"
"She hasn't been seein' anybody for
a week or two, sir"
Not III, hope?"
mo. but she's not seein' anybody.
III tell her you're here, though"
She disappeared and in a moment
returned to direct Tillinghast to the
parlor floor room.
Nothing cheap about Miss Near
thur" observed Tillinghast, as he
raped at the high panelled door. 1t
glded open some three inches and
he caught a glimpse of bold brass
bed within, and daring curtains Of red
silk at the window He could see moth
ing more, but easily imagined the rest.
1t was a typical room of a burlesque
star. a second woman with musical
comedy. or a hundred dollar woman in
vaudeville Something quite above the
Thespian average in rooms, but some
what below the real thing.
You have information about Nine
Flaubert?" came a charmingly modu-
lated voice from within
Marvelling at its freshness and wish
ing for a glimpse of the occupant OF
the room, Tilinghast replied that he
did know something of the lady in
question, and asked if be might come
in
II would prefer you didn't" there
was a slight panied catch in the splen-
did voice Cant you tell me through
the door,"
"A key-hole conversation is seldom
satisfactory" answered Tillinghast,
consuming curiosity wearing through
the thin glaze Of his accustomed lassi-
tude. What is the great mystery?
Are you a veiled lady Of the Orient
or a lately landed mermaid?
Nooo-o-neither." the voice an
swered. but wish--Ohl You may
come in
At that moment the door opened alb
ruptly and Tillinghast stepped into the
spacious back parlor room. The wom-
an had backed toward one of the win
dows: her profile was lost as she
looked through the pane, turning her
face almost completely from him But
the poise OF her head, adapted so well
to the grace Of her figure made
charming picture. The flush on her
cheek. heightened BY the glowing re-
Aection from the red silk curtains. |
and the rich curve 10 her lips the re- /
fnement in every line. took Filling /
hascs breath He had expected 10 ilna /
a c0mmoney type
"T'm sure" he gasped, you are much /
better without the yeil-0r the tail
She snatrhed the curtain back with /
a irt.ic Jerk and the unsoftened light /
from the window illuminated the 9th !
e. side Of her face with ghastly cruel I
ty. A red scar smeared across the /
well-formed cheek. the skin seemed /
sallow in comparison. even the nose
appeared bumped. and her lips surely
dropped to a trembling pout on that
side
She looked a horrid hag. and THiing-