South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-22

next two years when she noticed a man
watching her rather attentiveiy. She
could not see his face very we'll in the
semi darkness. but he seemed 10 be fol-
lowing her as II he thought he knew her.
She stopped in front OF a shop window
TO let him pass on, but he waited for her,
and then came up and spoke 10 her. II
was only a remark about something in
the window, just an excuse TO begin a
conversation. He was a fine looking man.
with a peculiarly melodious voice. which
q, she felt certain she had heard before
/ somewhere
Where have I met you?" he asked
suddenly
II don't know. I thought I'd seen you
somewhere but guess I'm mistaken"
May I ask your nance"
She thought for a moment Should she
give her right name or not? Why not?
She had nothing to conceal. and she was
curious to know Vho he was.
Katie Mccormack"
1t was evident that the name was a dis
appointment 10 him.
II can't place you" she said. perhaps
because I can't see you very well, but
your voice sounds like I've heard it be-
fore Your names not Johnson"
mo" 1t was his turn TO think about
giving his right name now. mo. Ny
names Melin. Yours is a face that
man does not forget IN a hurry. but
don't know where I have seen it before"
Funny name. Never heard it before.
goodnight"
why in such hurry?" he said quick
ly. Il have nothing particular TO do with
myself this evening. Perhaps il we 90
and have a little supper together We
might talk things over and find out
where We have met before"
No. she would not listen TO it; but she
did no. object very strongly when he still
walked on with her. II she did not
want anything 20 eat, perhaps he could
buy her a little present OF some sort.
No. she did not want any presents.
Perfectly conJented. Don't want any
thing in the world eh?"
Yes" she said slowly: there is one
thing ! want very much.
And what is that. pray
Two hundred dollars"
The man laughed out loud. Sure You
could not get along with hundred and
ffty?" he said in a joking sort of way.
"No Two hundred or nothing"
We'll, you are an interesting speci-
men at least" he said. looking her
rather quizzically. Now, suppose [
may not ask how it comes you want two
hundred dollars and don't want anything
] else on earth"
Ii was darker on the street now, and
they were going across a long bridge over
the railroad She tried again TO get
/ e. 49, ~1zF CHI
might have seen Il before, she could no.
say where The voice she was sure she
knew. but she could not tell 10 whom
it had belonged. She stopped and looked
down at the trains. She was thinking
If IL was worth while TO invent a story
that would account for her wanting two
hundred dollars He looked like man
of means and influence, and perhaps, II
the story was plausible enough, he might
DuS her in the way OF earning that
amount He was leaning on the rail be-
side her: no one else was on the bridge.
eff I tell you do YOU think you could
help me earn the money!"
Help you earn it? Well, what are
you; typewriter and shorthand, dress
maker or what"
NO. I'm learning to make wax flow
ers."
"Wel. this is interesting. l suppose
you want to buy wax while. the price is
down" He was laughing again now, but
the girl was not She had started to
tell him the truth and his reception Of
it chilled her. She looked him straight
in the eye with one Of those peculiar
searching looks that will make any man
stop laughing and think.
Pardon me-" he said quite suddenly;
81 was only joking"
You didn't answer my question. DO
you think you could put me in the way
WI in
a year?"
I'm a year," The man looked az her
in establishment; then he looked at the
rains and then he looked at her again.
he seemed to be turning over something
in his mind.
Look here! III take a chance on you.
II YOU will tell me what you want IL for,
and it's a good reason" slspping hts
open palm on the railing, bless me,
I'll give you two hundred, even IL /
am a fool for doing it."
You are no fool" she said very
quietly land there is something about
you that rings true, for all your chah. al
though | don't cutie believe your name
Melin."
She began by making up story about
wanting the money for very dear friend
who was in deep trouble. Il was not 4
good story, and. after he had listened
TO ii attentiTely for a minute. he began
TO question her with a peculiar skill that
soon involved her in contradictions which
she tried in vain 10 straighten OUT
Finally he interrupted her.
81 don't think storytelling is one Of
your accomplishments. / should not like
to think that you were deliberately try
ing to deceive me, but you are evidently
not telling me the whole truth. II you
cannot trust me. say so candidly. I have
taken a fancy TO you somehow, and am
! rather pleased to find you are not de-
ceitful by nature. You are sridently
I n trouble OF some kind. and you sey you
want two hundred dollars. l have prom
ised 10 give II 20 you II you Will tell
me why you want IL. II the reason IS
such that you cannot disclose IL, say SO
frankly. II you cannot trust me. why
should I trust yOu?"
Il dare not tell" she said slowly. Il
should be afraid to trust a friend; and
& stranger"
Unless I am much mistaken. you ere
not TIE kind OF woman 70 be easily de-
I ceived by a man. leave IL 20 you 20
decide whether you can trust me or rot
- r,,9 81 J.