The Washington times., 1915-07-26
forth, and when they are on the same
side there Is no resisting them.
CHAPTER XII.

MIMI AIAS "A Lac
Only Tommy and Mrs. Gunsdorf held
out against Celestia's influence. Tommy
had never been affected by her hypnotic
sway. and Mrs. Gunsdorf had devised a
trick to thwart 1t. Having learned that
there was something in Celestia's eye,
some power which she could neither
fathom nor resist. Mrs. Gmsdorf main
tained her own independence in thought
and action by the simple expedient Of
never meeting Celestia's eye.
Mrs Gunsdorf was violently opposed
to Celestia's theories. This opposition
was not arrived at by elaborate mental
process. The two women loved the same
man. And the man very obviously loved
'Celestia (for when he wasn't with Ter
This was enough to place Mrs. Gunsdorf
on any side Of any question II only 1t
was the opposite to Celestia's. Twice,
when Celestia was addressing meetings
Of strikers lin interest of peace and
progress). Mrs. Gunsdorf succeeded In
creating such violent disturbance that
she had to be removed forcibly from the
room.
The strikers favorite place for meeting
was in a large. shabby dance hail. in
Btumen. Having been elected from this
hall. Mrs Gunsdorf stood upon the outer
steps. a picture of impotent and Jealous
rage.
A young woman. who. from her plain.
neat costume rather suggested that she
might be lady's maid. and whose fea-
lures were not distinctly visible owing
to a thick veil. turned from perus!nG a
bill poster which announced to the
passerby the purpose Of the meeting.
Mrs. Gunsdorf in turned eyed the
stranger. and her rage gave place
gradually to curiosity. Neatly and
smartly dressed young women were
very rare In Bitumen.
us the meeting over?" asked the
stranger presently.
Mrs. Gunsdorf shook her head.
Nor likely to be as long as there's a
fool left to listen. When she gets
through speaking they yell for her until
she has to speak again. Ever hear
herr"
Mrs. Gunsdorf shrugged her vigorous
shoulders with contempt.
Il never have" said the stranger Il
think l don't want to-
Then what brings you to Bitumen
People are pouring In from all around
to hear what she says. There don't
seem to be any reason for coming to
Bitumen."
But she doesn't seem to have I'm
pressed you favorably?"
Me! Hush! I don't say she hasn't
got good looks Of klnd. but what
man can see in namby. pamby.
goody. goody like her gets me. Weil.
I'm going to move on. So long!'
The stranger hesitated. then simply
followed and overlook Mrs: Gunsdorf.
DO you mind II I walk with you?
II was going your way"
How do you know which way l was
going?'
Il mean the way you are starting
to do" The stranger laughed frankly
And that's not the whole truth.
came to Bitumen to flnd out certain
things. I'm a sort OF reporter and new
At the business. The boss told me there
and get 1t. He only gave me few
hints to go on. and
You want to ask me some questions
is that It? Well. fire ahead"
thing to do with Mr.. Gordon Barclay IL
headline for the newspapers, especial.
ly now that he has taken up with the
girl from heaven, and Is advocating her
everybody knows, is on the other side
mean about the policies. Well, Il
mean my newspaper-has got n hint
that this-this young Mr.. Barclay got
| into trouble down here-came very
near getting lynched. and that the rea,
woman Now, you live here. 1t isn't a
very big community. You must know al
about everything that goes on. You see
it means such lot to me. getting this
Tommy Barclay" began Mrs. Guns
dorf, paused. gritted her teeth. and wen
on, 'is mashed on the girl from heaven.
Yes" said the stranger. almost In 6
| whisper.
There's a woman In this town." Mrs
Gunsdorf resumed, who'd be willing tC
lie down and let him tramp on her. No
don't mean Celestia. She likes him wei
enough in her namby pamby too-busy
another woman with red blood in hel
veins. Well. she made all the row
Crazy jealous she was, guess. Hel
love seemed to turn to hate. and sh'
! made out that he-oh. got too fresf
husband and some friends came. ant
| they was going to lynch Tommy Bar
clay. had him on a ladder with rop'
around his neck. when along sh'
came
THE woman"
THE girl from heaven. And she talked
and pretty soon she got hold OF th'
woman, and made her own up"
| Made her?'
If you're fool enough to look In he
eyes. she can make you do any blam
! thing she wants you to do. But Nv
learned sense. ] don't look at her eyes
and then I'm all right"
And then there was no truth in tn
!
with a woman"
NO truth at all
) The stranger made a small fain
sound. 1t wasn't n word or a sigh o.
! :, rnur'nur. but it seemed to meaI
scr>o:lin for Mrs. Gunsdorf stoppc;
abruptly. looked sharply at her com
,rnion and SAID:
! You see mdisappointed."
"I?"
| Yes :'ou!"
! Tho stranger leughei nervously. The.
; he'd haltHd Just in front OF tn
Family Entrance" to a saloon.
II want to know why you're dis
ccrointed?"
why" said the stranger. a littl
lamely. II might be a friend Of Mr.
| Barclays. and ] might think that |
would be better for him If he so
over his fancy for Celestia. And
fancy for another person would prov
that he had, wouldn't it,
f., Are you friend to Tommy Bar
clay?"
! After hesitation. the stranger said
Yes"
i 80 am J." said Mrs. Gunsdorf, "an'
i that being so, I guess we've got
talk coming to us. Let's go In here
Continued Tomorrow