The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-04-16
CHAPTER Viii.
Jean DarneII's Ruse.

- woman of dorid 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. Darnell." said the wom-
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 1t
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 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 heard from John"
"Oh. you know Mr.. EverettT' 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
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 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
NHNhNOS LII II " lthCloOu was x,
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
ii would simplify many 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. Darnen
you can combine the pleasure of see
ing New York with your little bust.
ness Mr.. Everett will quickly settle
that part of it, and shall take great
pleasure in showing you about Manhat-
tan. presume You are fond Of op
eraT
81 have never been to the opera"
Ruth responded II should love to go,
but when | do 20 | must go all alone,'
she went on impnsively Il think op.
era must be like church one wants to
go 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 myself?"
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-
Tulgent creature. AT least she was
not going into the great city all alone,
nor confront Mr. Everett by herself.
Mrs Darnel made her feel that she
was cOmpetently protected
When they arrived the next morning
at the Grand Central station In New
York city Mrs Darnell quietly intro
duced her to "a slim. rather handsome
young man who seemed i'll at ease IN
til he had drawn Ruths companion
aside for moment for a chat while
the porter collected their luggage
i 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
'oOl long Anyway | can't under
stand what You are trying to do. Jean.
You must know what sor1 or fellow
Harry WilkerSou is by TINS time Why
play his hand for hlnE
II don't notice you holding any
rumps IN your hand. she returned
gently but with faint gleam in her
Eyes which made him draw back.
This is my game, and ! expect you to
|lay your part You come on now ana
De George Everett rhe glrl is as liz,
lOrant as pigeon Remember what
told you
About that stock ne SAID sullenIy
Yes. the stock. lou understand |
hAT Sh.. t.,,tp., fn Nau Vn.t, .,,,,,.,- -. |