The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-23

salu u pleasant voice
INFxlM Ruth looked up to see a
- OF norid beauty and
dressed In somewhat extravagant style
looking down at her out of great. taw-
ny. velvet eyes. Western bred. Ruth
responded amiabIy to this salutation.
though she had not the faintest Idea
who the woman was.
Yes. | am Miss Gallon
II am Mrs. DARRELL" said the won
IN. May | sit down? | am an old
friend OF your friend. John DORIS. lie
wired me that | would find you on this
train" The lie was 80 plausible that
Ruth merely blushed. thinking that II
was n more token OF John DORIS
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 ali strange
u impressive TO her. She moved
over Il little TO allow Mrs. Darnell to
sit down.
John never spoke OF you" said Ruth
simply. II did not have the faintest
notion that was to meet any OF his
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 | 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
n 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, or 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 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 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.
mir. 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 will quickly settle
that part OF IL, and | shall take great
pleasure In showing you about Manhat.
tan. ! presume you are fond OF op-
eraT'
II have never been 10 the opera
Ruth responded. II should love to go,
but when ! do go | must go all alone
she went on impulsively. II think op-
era must be like church-one wants to
20 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
Rnth's sensitive but inexperienced
mind Yet there was something In the
tone thai warmed her heart 10 this ef
fuigent creature. AT least, she was
not going into the great city all alone
nor confront Mr.. Everett by herself
Mrs DarnelI made her feel that she
was cempetently protected.
When they arrived the next morning
ut the Grand Central station IN New
York city Mrs Darnell quietly INTRO
duced her to "a slim. rather handsome
young man. who seemed iii at ease un
I'll he had dra wn Ruth's companion,
aside for u moment for a chat Will.
the porter collected their luggage
Il don't just like this game" he SAID
AZ 49, 0>-A 49, 49, =.