The Tupelo journal., 1912-06-21

E4HTE
THE very best, N. Coast. There's
little like 1t out OF France"
I'm glad / thought of imposing on
your good nature"
why, So am l. My friends are al
ways welcome. Your health,
Mr.. Coast"
And yours, Mr.. Miller"
They drank tremendously. Coast
put down an empty glass. That" he
declared from the bottom of a oon-
graduated heart, was delicious"
Another DROP"
mo. Absolutely not. 1t would In
epire me to try to buy out the shop
He offered his hand. Good night, and
thank you"
Good night, MI. Coast"
On his way out, Coast had an indif-
ferent glance for the customers at a
show case near the window. The
woua stood with her back turned,
chattering volubly to the assistant In
Indifferent French: a small, slight fig
ure with arms up.ifted. holding a
chain of gold and imperial jade to the
light. Beside her the man doomed
solidly, his heavy proportions exag-
gerated by a fur-lired coat, his atten-
tive pose owning a trace OF proprie-
tary interest. As Coast drew near he
looked up and faced about, stripping
OF a glove.
why, h'ar'ye, COAST"
Tona and manner proclaimed the
encounter Of old friends. Perforce
Coast took his hand, pausing. then
dropped It, with a grave Good even
ing, Blackstock." His distaste for the
man affected him intensely, but he
tried to conceal 1t beneath a forced
hanality: EARLY Christmas shopping,
eh!"
mot exactly" Blackstock slurred
explanations. 1--WE just been trying
to get you on the telephone"
Coasts eyebrows underlined his sur
prise. "Yes?"
yes. Thought you might care for
a hand at bridge tonight; just a few
Of us at my rooms: Van Tuyl, Truax
Dundas, yourself and me. Well cut
in and out. What dye say"
Coasts acceptance followed an In
stant's consideration. Had the invi'
tation been extended him at any time
before noon OF that same day, his re.
fusal would have been prompt IL
qualified b. An Invented engagement
Now, however, after what the day had
rumored of the man, he was inclined
to grasp an opportunity to study him
to see as much of him as possible-lit
tie as he cared to see anything OF him
What o'clock"
"Oh, between nine and ten-any
time. You know where l hang out:
Well count on you" Blackstocl
beamed, his eyes shining behind thick
lenses: to snare Garrett Coast was
signal conquest. An additional trace
of affable efusiveness oiled his al
ways slightly overpowering manner
Then doubt moderated 1t, and he had
an irresolute eye for his companion
She had turned away from the case
with an assured attitude imperative
Of an introduction. Coast received ar
impression Of a very large and elabo
rately simple hat beneath which 9
great deal OF hair. unquestionably nc
stranger to henna, framed a fac<
whose dead white pallor effectively
emphasized a full scarlet curve o.
lips and large eyes like pools Of VIC
let ink. that looked him up and dowr
quite openly. He bowed to Black
stocks constrained words Of preeenta
ton.
Miss Fancher - my friend, Mr.
Coast"
She nodded. giving him q small
hand whose pressure was a though
too frank. i've heard about you
she said, nodding emphatically. "Glat
to know you"
"And I've enjoyed your DANCING
many times, from the far side OF tn
footl.ghts," he told her pleasantly.
Mice of you to say that. I'm witt
The Rathskeller Girl now. you know
Have you seen it?"
"I'm promising myself the pleas
ure."
We'll, when you come, just let nj
know"
II shant FORGE" Coast assured he
, vaguely. Eat now | must run along
Miss Fancher - Elackstock goo;
night"
He escaped to open air with a sen
sation of relief and perturbation oddl.
conmingled. Instead of soothing, tn
brandy warmed his grievance until
turned writing in his bosom an
stung him like an adder. So that wa
the man! He pressed forwar'
more rapidly, but now In an introspee
tive mood, oblivious Of all that SO re
Gently had gratifled HIN.
At Forsieth Street he pulled up q
the southern corner, yer across fro
the dull grey ~colonnade Of the ne,
Public Library, awaiting a break i
the stream Of traffic.
A policeman presently made q W.
for him. holding back the press OF W
hicles to permit q string Of their cou
tLA ~. ZE@ -