Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-01-07
CHAPTER VII.
Jean Darnsil's Russ.
HIS must he Miss Gallon"
said 4 pleasant voice.
r 1(,pfh irIA .,,> -

q Ruth l0ot1ed up to see a
iOs woman Of tiOrid beauty and
dressed In somewhat extravagant style
looking down ut her Out Of great. taw-
uy, velvet eyes. Western bred. Ruth
responded an,iably to this salutation.
though she bad not the faiutest idea
who the woman was.
Yes. | am Miss Gallon"
ri am Mrs. DarneII." said the WON
IN. May | sit down? am an old
friend Of your friend, John DORIS. He
wired me that | would find you on this
train" The lie was 20 plausible that
Ruth merely blusl,ed. thinking that 1t
was u more token Of John DORIS
carefuluess 0f her comfort und 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 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. Il did not have the faintest
notion that | was to meet any Of bis
friends. Do you live in New York;"
Yes. live In New York. happen.
ed to be In Chicago. and through Mr..
Everett | beard from John"
"Oh. you know Mr.. Everett" cried
Ruth. He is the man l am going to
see 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
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 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 1t 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 1.-THE Master
Key" and bis latest letters impIoring
her to help him get control Of the stock.
When Ruth ended up with Il 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.
~ WiIkerson 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 eIse."
But l 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.
less. Mr.. Everett will quickly settle
that part Of 1t, and I shall take great
pleasure In showing you about Manhat.
tan. ! presume you are fond of op-
era2'
II have never been to the OPERA"
Ruth responded. II should love to go,
but when I do 60 I must &C. all Alone"
she went on impulsively. II think op.
era must be like c%hurch-one wants to
70 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 myseIf?"
The bitterness of that confession.
with ali It's ,mplication. wholly escaped
Ruth's sensitive but Inexperienced
mind, YeJ there WAS. something ~ the