Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-07-22
Viii.

EMANHNNMV ~ AOOhSu w " Scc q
~ woman Of forid beauty and
dressed in somewhat extravagant style
looking down at her out Of great, taw-
ny, velvet eyes. Western bred, Ruth
responded amiably to this salutation,
though she had not the faintest idea
who the woman was.
Eyes, l am Miss Gallon"
II am Mrs. Darnell." said the wom-
an. May l sit down? l am an old
friend Of your friend, John DORIS. He
wired me that 1 would find you on this
train" The lie was so plausible that
Ruth merely blushed, thinking that it
was n more token Of John DORIS
c%arefulness Of her comfort and safety.
10 her inexperienced eyes this woman
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 a little to allow Mrs. Darnell to
sit down.
John never spoke of you" said Ruth
simply. II did not have the faintest
notion that I was to meet any of his
friends. Do you live in New York;"
Eyes. I live in New York. l happen
ed to be in Chicago, and through Mr..
Everett I heard from John"
"Oh, you know Mr.. Everettl" cried
Ruth. HE is the man I am going to
e In New York." and she went on to
tell, as best she could. the gist of her
mission.
1t was typical Of the woman to whom
she was talking that she did not inter
rupt this naive narrative. She sat in
s1lken silence, occasionally allowing her
great eyes to rest on Ruth's fair face
with an assumption Of affection. AS
a matter of fact, she was profoundly in
terested. Life had taught Jean OAR
nell a 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 it 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 wa money in 1.-The Master
Key" and his latest letters imploring
her to help him get control Of the stock.
When Ruth ended up with u gentle
And so l told John I'd come and see
what l could do" the elder woman
smiled gently. Times were not so good
yw1th her as they had been. and If Har-
ry Wilkerson could put this deal
through and make money for them all
it. 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 a combine the pleasure of see
ing New York with your little bust
ness. Mr.. Everett will quickly settle
that part Of it, and I shall take great
pleasure in showing you about Manhat-
tan. | presume you are fond of op-
crap"
Il have never been to the OPERA"
Ruth responded. 81 should love to so,
but when / do go | must go all alone,'
she went on impulsively. II think op.
era must be like church-one wants to
&C all by oneself"
Mrs. Darnell turned very SLOWLY and
for the first time in many years reveal.
ed a secret thought: do you know that
my only pleasant memories. my dear.
are of myself?"
The bitterness of that confession,
with all its implication, wholly escaped
Ruth's 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. Darnen quietly intro
duced her to a slim. rather handsome
young man. who seemed i'll at ease un.
til he had drawn Ruth's companion
aside for a moment for a chat while
the porter collected their luggage.
II don't just like this game" he said.
I'm the first place. Everett is a big
man in the city. and this Miss Gallon
doesn't look to me like a girl you could
fool long. Anyway, l can't under
stand what you are trying to do, Jean.
You must know what sort of a fellow
Harry Wilkerson is by this time. Why
play his hand for himY'
II don't notice you holding any
trumps in your hand" she returned
gently. but with a faint CLEAN in her
eyes which made him draw back.
"This is my game, and l expect you to
play your part. You come on now and
be George Everett. The girl is as liz.
norant as Il pigeon. Remember what
told you,