The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-20

NNo sums yOui way
How do you know which way
was going?"
Il mean the way you are starting
to do" The stranger laughed frankly.
And that's not the whole truth. 7
came to Bitumen to find out certain
things. I'm 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 it. He only gave me
a few hints to go on, and"
you want to ask me some ques-
tions? Is that it? Well, fire ahead"
"Of course" said the stranger, any
thing to do with Mr.. Gordon Barclay
is a headline for the newspapers, espe-
cially now that he has taken up with
the girl from heaven, and is advocat-
ing her policies. You must know all
about everything that goes on. You
see, it means such lot to me, getting
this story. Can't you help me out?"
Are you a friend of Tommy Bar
clay?"
After hesitation, the stranger said:
yes"
$50 am l." said Mrs. Gunsdcrf, "and
that being so, guess we've got a
talk coming to us. Let's go in here"
A moment later Mrs. Gunsdorf and
the stranger faced each other across
a dirty table in dirty windowed room
that smelled of drink, and bartender
,ttith
with horrible mixture of whisf- and
water. Mrs. Gunsdorf gulped down a
large mouthful with apparent relish,
but for the stranger one small sip
seemed to be enough.
I'VE can talk straighter," said Mrs.
Gunsdorf 'if you'll lift that veil"
The stranger hesitated, then obedi-
emily turned up the veil.
81 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.
well. I'm Mrs. Gunsdorf. I'm the
woman that tried to put him In
Dutch"
Miss Blackstone's eyes blazed with
sudden interest
"But you-you don't hate him any
more?"
ME. I 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 good cause to-"
Mrs. Gunsdorfs shapely hand shot
across the table, and Mary blackstone
clasped 1t for a moment in hers.
"I've told you my name said Mrs.
Gunsdorf
Il am Mary Blackstone
"Gee! exclaimed Mrs. Gvnsdorf,
"but thought she'd be dressed diff
ferent. How do I know you're not
stringing me again."
These are my maids clothes" said
Mary. 81 didn't want to be recog-
nized."
Mrs Gunsdorf 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 up. You don't
want anybody In Bitumen to know
you've got that"
IF lost it," said Mary, "and the
right person found it, wouldn't care
She spoke in a cold. defiant sort OF
way, and then fastened her dress once
more over the necklace,
"You think" said Mrs. Gunsdorf
that If It wasn't for her-you'd stand
a chance?"
Don't you feel little thai way, too,
Mrs. Gunsdorf. You are wonderfully
good looking, you know; and Mr..
Barclay seems to have cast in his lot
with labor. 1t looks as If you'd stand
the better chance of us two, doesn't
ito"
Mrs. Gunsdorf shrugged her shoul-
dars.
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 |
teri"
Mary laughed a cold little laugh.
I'D not be the one to leld 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 lixe?"
They've fixed tents for her and her
party just outside the town. They |
call 1t Headquarters of Celestia-the
Girl From Heaven"
who is her party?"