The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-26
BY JOHN FLEMING VIII SON

. E
Jean Darnsli's Russ.
"T)HIs must be Miss Gallon"
i said q pleasant voice.
G@$8N Ruth looked up to see
a. woman Of 6orid beauty and
dressed in somewhat extravagant style
looking down at her out Of great, taw-
ny, velvet eyes. Western bred, Ruth
responded amiably to this salutation.
though she had not the faintest idea
whogthe woman was
"Yes. am Miss Gallon" -
II am Mrs Darnell." said the won
an. 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 so plausible that
Ruth merely blushed thinking that it
was one more token Of John DORIS
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 all strange
and impressive to her. She moved
over Il 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 his
friends. Dog live In New York;"
Yes, live in New York. happen.
ed to be in Chicago. and through Mr.
Everett ! heard 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
Il matter OF fact. she was profoundly In.
terested. Life had taught Jean Oar
nell great many things, and among
them had been the great lesson of self
preservation-the saving for herself of
good looks Now It was 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 his latest letters implorine
her to help him get control Of the stock
When Ruth ended up with gentle
And so | told John I'd come and see
what could do" the elder woman
smiled gently: Times we're not SO good
with her us they had been, and If Har-
~ ~ Wilkerson could put this deal
through and make money for them, all
1T ,, 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 else"
But can't think Of anything else,"
said Ruth .~.,s'-.
"Oh, you WILL" said Mrs. Darnell
You can combine the pleasure Of see-
ing New York with your little bust
ness. Mr.. Everett win quickly settle
that part Of it. and l shall take great
pleasure in showing you about Manhat-
tan. presume you are fond Of op-
era p
"Ishave never been to the opera"
Ruth responded. II should love to go,
but when l do go must go all alone"
she went on impulsively. II think op-
era must be like church-one wants to
60 all by oneself"
Mrs. Darnell turned very slowly and
for the first time In many years reveal.
ed secret thought: do you know that
my only pleasant memories. my dear.
are Of myselfY'
The bitterness of that confession,
with all its Implication. wholly escaped
Ruth's sensitive but inexperienced
mind Yet there was something In the
tone that warmed her heart to this ef-
fulgent creature At least, she was
not going into the great city all alone.
nor confront Mr.. Everett by herself.
Mrs Darnell made her feel that she
was cempetently protected
When they arrived the next morning
at the Grand Central station In New
York city Mrs. Darnen quietly intro,
duced her to q slim, rather handsome
young man. who seemed i'll at ease un.
til he bad dra wn Ruth's companion
aside for moment for chat while
the porter collected their luggage.
~ don't just like this game" he said
In the first place, Everett is big
man in the city. and this Miss Gallon
doesn't look to me like girl you could
fool long. Anyway, can't under
stand what you are trying to do. Jean
You must know what sort Of fellow
Harry Wilkerson is by this time. Why
play his hand for himY'
Il don't notice you holding any
trumps in your hand" she returned
gently. but with faint CLEAN in her
eyes which made him draw back.
This is my game, and expect you to
play your part You come on now and
be George Everett The girl is az Is
norant as a pigeon. Remember what
! told you
"About that stock? p he said sullenly
Yes, the stock. You understand
that she came to New York simply to
raise money for this mine. You are
supposed to handle the business for
her. II you don't learn all that is to
be learned about The Master Key
mine in the next two days you are
more than the foot | take you for"
She drew him back to where Ruth
stood amid the suit cases and hand
bags and said. Miss Gallon. Mr. Ev.
erett has been telling me that he, too,
has heard from Inhn llnrr 8 hnuf YnIr