Bisbee daily review., 1915-04-04
CHAPTER vIll

| 70
 looking down at her out of great taw-
 ny, velvet eyes. Western bred. Ruth
 responded Hmiably to this salutauon.
 though she bad not the faintest idea
 who the woman was.
 Yes, am Miss Gallon"
 "l am Mrs. Darnell." said the wom
 an. May 1 sit down? | am an old
 friend of your friend. John Doris. He
 wired me that would lind you on this
 train." The lie was SO plausible that Ruth merely blushed. thinking that it
 was one more token of John Dorr's carefulness Of her comfort and safety To 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 an strange and impressive to her. She moved over a little to allow Mrs. Darnen to sit down.
 "John never spoke Of you" said Ruth simply. "l did not have the faintest notion that l was to meet any of his friends. Do you live in New YorkY'
 Yes, live in New York. happen. ed to be in Chicago. and through Mr. Everett heard from John."
 "Oh. you know Mfr. Everettr' cried Ruth. He is the man am going to see in New York;" and sbe went on 10 tell, as best she could, the gist of her mission.
 It 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 a matter of fact, she was profoundly tn- 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 was money in ''The Master Key and his latest letters imploring her to help him get control of the stock
 When Ruth ended up 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 if liar 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 win meet US at the train," she said briefly, "and then you can tell him all this Meanwhile. SUD- pose we talk about something else"
 But I 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 busi. ness. Mir. Everett will quickly settle | that part of it. and l shall takU great | pleasure in showing you about Manhat- l tan. I presume you are fond of op- era %
 "I have never been to the opera" ! Ruth responded. ''I should love to go, | but when do go must go all alone" . she went on impulsively. "I think op. l era must be like church-one wants to | go all by oneself"
 Mrs. Darnen 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 myselfg"
 The bitterness of that confession, with all it's implication, wholly escaped Ruth's sensitive bur inexperienced mind. Yet there was something in the tone thnt warmed her heart to this ef- fulgent creature At least she was not going into the great city all alone. nor confront Mfr Everett by herself. Mrs. Darnel made her feel that she was cGmpetently 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 ill at ease un. ul be had drawn Ruth's companion aside for moment for a chat while the porter collected their luggage.
 'I don't just like this game,' he said 'ln 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, can't under stand what you are trying 10 do. Jean You must know what sort of a fellow Harry Wilkersou is by this ume, Why play his hand for himT'
 "l don't notice you holding any .rumps in your haDd." she returned gently, but with a faint gleam in her [ syes which made him draw back. This is uIy game, and expect you to play your part You come on now and ] be George Everett The girl is as ig- lorant as a pigeon. Remember what
 told you"
 "About that stockT' he said sullsnly.
 "Yes, the stock. You understand hat she came to New York simply 70 ( 'aise money for this mine You arc [ to handle the business for Ter. If you don't learn all that is to ,e learned aDout The Master Key nine in the next two days you are nore than the fool 1 take you for"
 She drew him back to where Ruth tOod amid the suit cases and hand [