Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-12-04
The crimson Stain Mystery
e.,yI:" Novelized by Albert Payson Ierhune from
the Consolidated Motion Picture Triumph

was on hand. AS she stepped forth
from the dressing room into tho stu
dio. clad in her "Delilah" draperies.
her beauty was so intense, so allrr-
ing. that Robert clayton stared, spell
bound at her.
She threw the light shawl from her
shoulders and stepped toward the
model throne to take her pose for the
picture. But Clayton, as she passed
close beside the easel, spring up
from his chair and impulsively caught
her in his arms.
81 love you" he exclaimed, as he
graspcd her in his arms. "Oh, ! love
you. Nanya! Tell me you'll marry
me Tell me you will''
Noiselossly the door leading from
the studio to the outer hall was
opened. Mrs. Clayton. during a shop
ping tour, had dropped in for five
minute chat with her son. To sur
prise him she had softly opened the
studio door instead of knocking.
Ard-thc surprise" was all hers.
AS quietly as she had opened the
ping back into the outer hallway as
she did so.
Pegainng control of herself by
mighty effort Mrs. Clayton raised her
trembling right hand and raped at
the studio door
AtSound Of her knock the man and
the girl in the studio started apart.
Robert muttering angrily, strobe to-
ward the door. Nanya slipped into
the dressing room.
Clayton threw open the door. say
ing Grossly:
well, what the deuce do you
want"
At sight of the pallid-faced woman
on the threshold he exclaimed;
ION, excuse me, mother. ! thought
it was bill collector or book agent
or an insurance chap, or something
| like that. I'm pestercd with them
here. Come IN. It's mighty nice of
/ you to call on me like this in WORK
| hours
| lie led the way into the studio.
| Mrs. Clayton glanced sharply around
hcr. Nanya was nowhere to be seen.
Her shawl. however, lay on the floor:
81 am afraid | have interrupted
you in your work." said the old lady
stiffly.
"Not bit" Robert assured her
with forced cordiality. Not bit,
We were Just thru. My model is in
there getting into her street clothes
| Sit down"
He spoke loudly. so that Vanya,
behind the dressing room curtain,
should take her cue from him.
! "By the way" AS his face clouded,
''you said YOU would phone the police
again this noon. Had they any further
news of the necklace"
NO" said Robert, "only the usual
bunch of clews-that lead nowhere
Wc---''
The dressin room curtain was
drawn aside. and Nanya Tosca came
into the studio She was dressed for
the street, even to hat and gloves.
"Cood-by, Mr.. Clayton she SAID
| demurely. "Whon do you wish me tc
pose for YOU again? Tomorrow"
IL think So" sputtered Robert
in some confusion. adding: 'lf yot
are going to be at home this evening
| I'll call And we can arrange then foi
the next sitting by the way, mother
may | present Miss Tosca?"
Vanya, with her most winning smile
held out her hand. The elder woman
| looked frigdly at her for an instant
Then, taking no notice whatever o
the outstsetched hand, Mrs. Claytoi
turned her back upon the model an'
| walked across the room TO the win
dow.
| Robert flushed scarlet. to the root
| of his hair at this snub to the girl h
| loved. Nanya went white with rage
| without word she left the studio.
"Mother!" cried Clayton. as th
door closed behind the model, "wh,
did you do that? why did YOU insul
Miss Tosca so grossly? 1t was crue
of Nou."
The old lady's eyes filled with tears
but bravely she answered.;
81 refused to meet her, my son, be
caune she Is not the sort Of a womal
my son should know"
"You have no right to say that!
bazcd Robert, you know nothin
about her. She"
"I love her" retorted Clayton, Il
stubborn defiance. "and l mean I
marry her. With your approval o
without It,"
His mother tried to speak. lie