Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-11-21
CHAPTER XVIII.

| A Ruse.
! When Resale L. Grange named the
Hotel DeidSich to the taxicab chauf-
feur. her object-she followed here but
ian old instinct-was to cover her
tracks In case Of many contingencies.
She dismissed the cab, however. at the
north door Of the Deidrich, walked
through the lobby to the west en-
trance, walked out on Broadway,
walked block south. There. spying
another taxicab whose meter displayed
the red sign vacant" she comman-
deered Il, and announced her real OBJ
jective.
"Casino-Central park-so fast; "
she said. During the drive she stared
straight ahead and talked in low IN
dertones to herself.
This was an old habit, born Of her
hall. believed, half.assumed medium
ship" in her days Of active practice.
In these later days she was still wont
to argue out in soft phrases of her
lips the problems Of her soul. One
who had overheard these scattered
phrases BOW would have known that
she was still fighting for . decision.
"Well, amt the world been good to
me latelyr' she was saying az they
swept into the Park entrance. Cant
I afford to take q chance With myself
AN happiness1" And then. "Oh.
how viii Martin look at it-Martin!"
A little later. % the taxicab took
the rolling drive beside Q park lake,
she was saying:
II couldn't bear It II he was sent to
the chaipI could never live through
it'd die. too" It seemed that upon
this statement she made her decision.
for she talked to herself no more un-
til the taxicab rolled up before the
Casino and stopped. And as che rose.
her smile breke out for the nrst time
in that passage. But It was q grave
smile, whose sottness did not reach
to her eyes-as though one smiled
with the humor of God at the tragic
comedy In this world.
AN she called me . traitor-an'
she'll always believe 1t, what's more"
abe said.
The piazza Of the Casino. 20 gay and
colorful In summer. lay bleak and bare
now under tho cold November wind
and fading afternoon light, 60 that Ro-
sale, sensitive to physical impreasaons
what with the tensity OF her soul,
shuddered % she passed from the
steps to the door. Within. only few
lights wero on; the restaurant. plain
", was letting business fade away to-
ward its winter quiescence. Near the
door sat couple; then two men; and
there, in the remote corner, was q CLINT
Of golden hair which could DO only
Betsy-Barbaras. Opposite sat the To-
Gus Of her search-him whom Betsy
Barbara still thought to be Senor Els
trilla. He was smiling just then. and
his hands were playing In swift, ex-
pressive little gestures. As Resale Le
Grange waved aside the head waiter
and took her interminable Journey
across tho room, it occurred to her
that however she finished and tied
this complex web of hers. these might
be the last smiles on his lips for many
q weary day.
He sat facing the door; he perceived
her first; he rose with an expression
Of real surprise and pleasure. why.
Mr.. Le Grange! How did you get
here?" he said. But now his eye
caught Betsy-Barabara. She. too. had
risen, as one who acts at last after
long strain Of repression. Her color
came and went: she was looking at
Resale and then back at Estrilla.
Miss Lane" said Resale in quiet
meaning voice, well excuse you. Take
your coat, dear"
Estrilla opened his mouth as though
to protest, made an inarticulate sound,
stopped. His eyes were on Rosalie.
what does this meanT' he asked.
1T means first that you had better
sit down." she said. 1.-THE walters
lookin' this way. A man in your posi-,
ton can't afford to make . scene in q
public place.
Estrilla sank with an unsteady mo-
ton into his chair. At this physical
support. he seemed to grip his nerve.
what do you mean by my posi-
ton? Why do you come this way
Why"
Listen. First Of all. I'm your
friend. Get that right away!-I'm
hers to help you. An I'm in . hurry.
So arc you. The police have your sis
ter. BY tonight they'll b after you"
Estrilla grfpped the arms Of his
chair; tho green shade crept back. He
meistened his lips ence or twice with
his tongue.
"Remenber!" went ON Rosalie under