Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1914-12-24

represented the tremendous city TO
which she was going. Her dress. her
manner her jewels. the evasive per
fume that she affected were all strange
and impressive to her. She moved
over little to allow Mrs. Darnell TO
sit down
John never spoke Of you" said Ruth
simply II did not have the falutest
notion that WINS to meet any Of his
friends. DO you live In New York;
"Yes, | live in New York J happen
ed to be in Chicago. and through Mr.
Everett I heard from John"
"Oh. you know Mr. Eyerettr' cried
Ruth. "Tle is the man | am going to
see In New York." and she went on to
tell, as best she could the gist OF her
mission.
II was typical OF the woman to whom
she was talking that she did not inter
rUpt this naive narrative. She sat in
silken silence, occasionally allowing her
great eyes to rest on Ruth's fair face
with an assumption of affection. As
matter Of fact. she was profoundly in
terested Life had taught Jean Oar.
nell great many things, and among
them had been the great lesson Of self
preservation-the saving for herself OF
money, of comfort of health and of
good looks Now II was a question OF
money, prime among them all. and her
rather keen wits saw precisely the
chances which Wilkerson was taking
She recalled his oft repeated statements
that there was money In "The Master
Key" and his latest letters lmploring
her to help him get control OF the stock
] When Ruth endeospp with a gentle
And so | told John I'd come and see
what / could do" the elder woman
smiled gently. Times were not so good
with her as they had been. and II Har-
ny Wilkerson could put this deal
through and make money for them all
II would simplify many a problem
which she duly pondered at night.
"Mr Everett will meet us at the
train" she said briefly, land then you
can tell him all this Meanwhile, sup.
pose we talk about something else"
But | can't think Of anything else"
said Ruth
"Oh, you will" said Mrs. Darnell.
YOU can combine the pleasure OF see
ing New York with your little bust.
ness. Mr.. Everett win quickly settle
that part of it. and shall take great
| pleasure in showing you about Manhat-
tan. I.presume you are fond Of OPP
eraT'
81 have never been to the OPERA"
Ruth responded. II should love to go,
but when | do go must go all Alone"
she went on impulsiyely. 81 think op-
era must be like chuFch-one wants to
go all by oneself"
Mrs. Darnen turned very slowly and
for the first time In many years reveal
ed secret thought: do you know that
my only pleasant memories. my dear
are of myselfT
The bitterness OF that confession.
with all its implication, wholly escaped
Ruths sensitive but inexperienced
mind. Yet there was something in the
tone that warmed her heart to this eff
fulgent creature. At least. she was
not going into the great city all alone
nor confront Mr.. Everett by herself
Mrs. Darnell made her feel that she
was cempetently protected.
When they arrived the next morning
at the Grand Central station In New
York city Mrs Darnell quietly intro.
duced her to slim, rather handsome
young man, who seemed i'll at ease un.
Ill he had drawn Ruth's companion
aside for a moment for chat while
the porter collected their luggage.
Il don't just like this game" he said
In the first place, Everett is a big
man in the city, and this Miss Gallon
doesn't look to me like girl you could
fool long. Anyway, can't under
stand what you are trying to do, Jean.
You must know what sort Of fellow
Harry Wilkerson is by this time. why
play his hand for hmr
III don't notice you holding any
trumps in your hand" she returned
gently, but with faint CLEAN In her
eyes which made him draw back.
This is my game, and expect you to
play your part. You come on now and
be George Everett. The girl is as ig-
nOrant as a pigeon. Remember what
told you"
About that stockf" he said sullenly.
Yes, the stock. You understand
that she came to New York simply to
raise money for this mine. You are
supposed to handle the business for
her II you don't learn all that is to
be learned about The Master Key
mine In the next two days you are
more than the fool take you for"
she drew him back to where Ruth
stood amid the suit cases and hand
bags and said. miss Gallon. Mr.. Ev-
erett has been telling me that he. too.
has heard from John Dorr about your
coming"
Ruth scanned him politely. But the
interest died in her eyes when she
saw what sort Of a man he was. He
might ha n friend of Johns: he might