Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-09-29

The stranger hesitated. then simply
followed and overlook Mrs. Guns
dorf.
DO you mind II | walk with you?
II was going your way"
How do You know which way |
was %going?"
i mean tho way .Ou are starting
TO do The strsnser laughed frankly.
And that's not tile whole truth. |
CAME TO Bitumen TO find out certain
things. I'm a sort Of reporter and new
at the business. The boss told me
there was a big story here and for
me to go and get ii. lie only gave me
. few hints to 20 On. and"
You want 10 ask Inc some Ques-
tons? Is that il? We'll. fire ahead"
"Of course" SAID tie stranger. any
thing to 90 with Mr.. Gordon Barclay
IS a headline for tie newspapers, espe-
cially now that he HAS taken up with
the girl from heaven. ana il ldyoca.-
ing her policies. You must know all
about everything that goes on. You
see. it mean such a lot 10 me. getting
this story. Can't you help me out?'
Are you a friend Of Tommy Bar
clay?"
After hesitation. the stranger said:
Yes
so am J." said Mrs. Gunsdorf. "and
that being so. | guess we've got g
talk coming 10 Us. Let's go in here
4 moment later Mrs. GInsdorf and
the stranger faced each other across
a dirty table in a dirty Widowed room
that smellcd Of drink. and a bartender
with an evil face had served them
with a horrible mixture Of whisky and
water. Mrs. C. nsdOrf gulped down a
large mouthful with apparent relish.
but for the stranger one small sip
seemed Ia be enough.
we can talk str3ighter." said Mrs.
GEnsdorf. If you'll lift that veil"
The stranger hesitated. then obedi-
emily turned up the veil.
Il guess said Mrs. Gunsdorf. after
a moment of admiring scrutiny. well
unswallow the story about Your be
ing a reporter. You're a friend of
Tommy Barclay and you belong in
the same walks OF life that he does"
Mary nodded.
We'll. I'm Mrs. Cunsdorf. I'm the
woman that tried 10 put him in
Dutch"
Miss Blackstone's eyes blazed with
sudden interest.
But you-you don't hate him any
more
Me. hate him Just the same as
YOU do. Neither more nor less. But
I'll tell who We do hate. If you don't
know. We don't hate each other be
cause he's passed us both up. We're
in the same boat. We hate her"
I'VE have euoi cause to-"
Mrs. Gunsd1rf's shapely hand shot
cross the table. and Mary blackstone
clasred il for a moment in hers.
"Tve told you my nc-~o," said Mrs.
Gunsdorf.
II am Mary Blackstone"
Gee" exclaimed Mrs. Gunsdorf.
"bvt / thought she'd be dressed diff
fereht. How do ] know you're not
~stringing me again"
AAECt ~ i4N AsAA - NARtANtF 1oAN
Mary. Il didn't want to be recog-
nized."
Mrs. Cunsdorf still looked a little
doubtful And Mary. smiling a little.
touched the neck Of her dress and dis
closed "A string OF pearls. each pearl
perfect and not much smaller than a
cherry.
Il believe YOU said Mrs. Gunsdorf.
But cover that thing NJ. You don't
want anybody in Bitumen to know
you've got that"
IF | lost it," said Mary. and the
right person found ID. | wouldn't care"
She smoke in a cold. defiant sort OF
way. and then fastened her dress once
more over the necklace.
You think said Mrs. Gunsdorf
that IL il wasn't for her-you'd stand
a chance"
Don't you feel a little that way. too.
Mrs. GunsdOrf. You are wonderfully
good looking. you know: and Mr..
Barclay seems 10 have cast in his lot
with labor. II looks a. II you'd stand
the better chance OF us two. doesn't
itP"
Mrs. Gunsdorf shrugged her shout
ders.
I'VE couldn't stand any less chance
that We do now And the oftener he
sees her. the less that chance gets"
If she really comes from heaven"
The quicker she goes back the bet
ter"
Mary laughed a cold little laugh.
I'D not be the one TO hold her back
by the skirts
Nor l."
But" said Mrs. Gunsdorf. IF she
went to heaven. and anyone in this
town had a hand in sending her. and
got found out'-she shuddered-"that
person would be torn To ribbons"
Where does she live?"
They've fixed tents for her and her
party just outside the town. They
cell il Headquarters OF Celestia-the
Girl From Heaven"
Who is her party?"
There's Professor Stilliter-I guess
she goes to him when she's In a fix
for what to say next. There's a kind
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