Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-07-11
CHAPTER Vll-(Continued).

am alone All Iu0 CrOWu, lOO, uo
retoined. 'If I thought Floyd would
not object, or feel that took advan-
tage of his absence, should ask II
you would do me so much honor as
TO go to the theater with me. this
evening""
Her gray eyes widened, the, color
flushed through her transparent skin.
Suddenly and wildly Stanton was re-
minded of Floyds face on the first
night when he invited the mechani-
clan to race with him for the season.
You are asking me?" she doubted.
"I would like to do so. But not II
you think Floyd would refuse to let
me. if he were here. He can't have
much Of an opinion of me-"
IL wish l might tell you what Jes
thinks of YOU" she made grave an
swer. 81 am quite sure that he would
let me go with you, Mr.. Stanton; you
are very good and l thank you from
che bottom of my heart"
The little old Irishwoman in black
silk opened the door for him. beam
ing and smiling. Amazed at himself.
bewildered by a sense Of having seen
Floyd and yet not seen him, Stanton
vent down into the practical city
street
He spent two hours in selecting an
rreproachable play and theater;
ask of some delicacy in this his ma
i've town. After which, he ate a per-
runctory dinner and went home to
9ress. Stanton, whose overbearing
Willfulness spared no one, whose
rough tongue hurt his mechanician as
sften as they met, would no more
ave taken Floyd's sister to dine with
aim in a public restaurant without
Hoyd's permission, than he would
lave stolen his purse.
1t was a dazzling Jessica whom he
'Ound waiting for him, at the appoint
ad hour. Yet she was simply gowned
ID delicate gray. with a demure lace
Dnar that came up to her round chin,
and long lace sleeves. 1t was her
yiVid, expressive face: the bronze
curtis massed under the wide gray
nat, the splendid glow and young vi
atty OF her, that made people look
md look again. Stanton approved OF
ler unreservedly; he had fixed mas
-uline notions of what women should
wear in public places.
On her left arm, over the transpar-
mt sleeve, she wore an antique silver
bracelet fully four inches in breadth;
[. singular ornament, set with dull tur-
Yuoise matrix. When Stanton assist
I'd her to remove her cloak, at the
heater, she suddenly WINGED.
The BRACELET caught my arm"
she explained. before he could ques-
ion. 1T Is too heavy, really, to
wear"
But nevertheless, she did not take
Z off, and several times through the
evening touched her gloved finger to
the silver band as II to assure her
self that 1t was in place. A souvenir,
perhaps, Stanton idly reflected. He
vas too much Interested in the wear
or 10 pay heed to the bracelet. Except
Cor the hours passed with Floyd, he
had never experienced anything like
Nhis satisfying companionship.
The performance had ended. and
Stanton was carefully plotting his
charge through the slow-moving mass
II people, when he heard his own
lsrue exclaimed. TIe glanced around,
and saw Valerie Carlisle coming
down the stairs from the boxes, her
large, amber eyes fixed upon him.
Under the strong light, in her elab-
.rate pale-green gown, her shoulders
bare and showing satin-white where
Ter cloak had slipped back. her blonde
lair circled with a wreath of green
,nameled and jeweled leaves, she was
conspicuous enough TO draw the
xlanoes Of all those passing, as well
IA that of the man she called. Stan
ION bowed and would have continued
81 his way, but she called a second
line, adding gesture of summons,
Mr. Stanton!"
Evidently she expected him to ex-
suse himself momentarily from his
companion, as she had moved few
steps from her father and the younger
gentleman who accompanied her. But
Stanton 5 eyes glinted cold resistance