The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-07-31
THE DAILY GATE CITY

thinking OF doing anything? Your
manners always so blest mysterious
md you seem to be the god Of that
cheap theatrical lot
oh, no. I'm just wondering about
this thing" Tillinghasts lips curled
/ ruriously. Il wish there was some
thing In 1t. I'd like to stumble on to
anything unusual. Maybe that's why
| read the Personals
It's 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 bottle up town
| and do nothing" was the abrupt re-
| ply, as Tillinghast rose. busted the
| ashes from his immaculate afternoon
trousers and babe his friend q curt
| good-by.
| Tillinghast was horrible example
even in the Van Rensselaer, Club,
| where wealthy idlers were the rule.
1t 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 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 guilty. mo, I'll notl It's
quite too tedious" Through the speak
ing-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 little gold ciga-
rette box, the cover open. Tillinghast
/ idly selected cigarette and pulled 1t
/ meditatively until the car came to a
stop before his number
/ He threw the stump away reluctant
~ and sauntered up the steps to the
i dingy, brown-stone front, as though
bent on an afternoon call. A down
at-the-heels woman, with brilliant eyes
1 and complexion to match, which
showed the ravagcs Of time and pig
ment, answered his ring.
May see Miss McArthur?" he
asked.
The woman looked at him, her face
4 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
4 tell Miss Macarthur l believe can
4 give her some information concerning
the lady she is advertising for, think
she will see me-
She hasn't been seem anybody for
week or two, sir
Not i'll, hope?"
mo, but she's not seein' anybody.
1 I'll tell her you're here, though"
A She disappeared and in moment
returned to direct Tillinghast to the
parlor floor room.
Nothing cheap about Miss Near
thur" observed Tillinghast, as he
4 raped at the high panelled door. 1t
glided open some three inches and
he caught glimpse Of bold brass
bed within, and flaring curtains OF red
silk at the window. He could see moth
| ing more, but easily imagined the rest.
It was typical room Of burlesque
star, second woman with musical
comedy, or 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 charmingly modu-
lated voice from within
Marvelling at its freshness and wish
ing for glimpse of the occupant OF
the room, Tillinghast replied that he
did know something of the lady In
question, and asked ii he might come
4 in.
II would prefer you didn't" there
was 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 yelled lady Of the Orient
or a lately landed mermaid?"
"Nooo-o-neither," the voice an
swered. "but / wish-Oh! You ma.
come In
At that moment the door opened alb
ruptly and TilIinghast stepped into tn
spacious back parlor room. The won
an had backed toward one Of the win
dows; her profile was lost as sh
looked through the pane, turning he
face almost completely from him. Blu
the poise of her head, adapted so wei
to the grace Of her figure, made
charming picture. The flush on he
cheek, heightened by the glowing re
Fiction from the red silk curtains
and the rich curve to her lips; the RI
finement in every line, took Tilline
hast's breath. He had expected to fin
commoner type.
I'm sure he gasped, you are muc
better without the yeil-or the tail"
She snatched the curtain back wit,
a tragic jerk and the unsoftened ligh
i, | from the window Illuminated the otf
err side of her face with CHASTITY crue
ty. A red scar smeared across tn
| q - lit