The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-06-11
BEAUTIFUL ENIGMA
BY JACK LAWTON.

seated h1mSelf at the hotel table, Bob
Whiting turned deliberately to look
toward the entrance. Then with con-
temptuous impatience he continued to
study his menu card. What possessed
him that he could not go on with his
meal In contentment, until that girl ar
rived! 1t was as well to be honest
with oneself.
From the moment her dark eyes had
met his across the widespread ia.
bles, he had been as bewitched. though
the girls glance had been as indiffer-
ent as 1t was unconscious. "The Beau.
tiful Enigma" they laughingly dubbed
the girl. who appeared as guest,
alone and aloff. at the fashionable sea-
side resort.
Bob Writings purpose In spending
his vacation here was to be near young
friends, whose war training camp was
not far distant. This was really his
encouraging farewell to the boys be-
fore they sailed overseas.
AT midnight. or near then" the SOL
dier lads insisted, "she might often be
seen Fastening down the lighted way,
when she returned a man Of distin-
guished appearance and military bear
Ing sometimes accompanied her. The
man was an undesirable frequenter of
the seaside community, q gambler, 1t
had been whispered"
Bob Whiting. recalling these conf
dences, groaned In spirit. How had
this unknown girl Obsessed him with
an ardent longing for her presence,
this more than eager determination to
know her better. Bob glanced curl
ously ut the flowers upon her breast,
each day the corsage was her only
color, and to his fancy, the flowers had
seemed to express her varying moods.
''The Beautiful DEPARTS" laughing
voice remarked at his elbow.
sold military, with his spruce get-up.
Is waiting outside. Queer combiAa-
ton, those two. They say the man
raked In fortune last night"
Irately silent, Bob rose to his feet.
Good night" called Barney Innocent
ly oblivious.
Bob Whiting had walked the length
of the pier before he realized the fu-
tility of his indignation. "What had
he to do with the girl?" Again he
fiercely asked himself the question.
"Why should the knowledge OF her as
soclates bring him torture?" Then
just below upon the beach he saw
her. Openly, reluctant, the gambler
was releasing her hand.
''Here Mt eleven tonight" he said
clearly, and the girl nodded. Glancing
upward she seemed to recognize Bob's
a RI hnr
visibly.
He watched her white dress until
1t disappeared before him within the
hotel doors, then gloomily he chose a
secluded corner Of the veranda. Was
the girl utterly unbefriended2 Surely
her eyes were the wide, clear eyes Of
a child. And no woman was accus-
toned to pass unattended at night
through these gay streets, thronged
with strangers from many lands. He
himself would wait. would go with
her. If he could not dare this much,
then the question of his heart was
not worth settling.
SO when the girl came warlly forth
later, sltpp,ng like some small white
ghost out into the darkness. Bob Whit
ing followed. At the descent from
the pier she turned quickly and faced
him.
"why." she asked quietly. do you
come this wayT
"To-watch over you" he answered
promptly.
The girl shrugged her shoulders.
"You take a good deal upon yourself"
she said.
Bob's tone was resolute. Perhaps
do" he agreed. Nevertheless,
intend to assure myself that you are
aware Of the fact that this man whom
you meet here at night Is notorious as
gambler"
The girl caught her breath. 81
know" she said Then wonderingiy
she regarded him. "Why should you
care about met" she asked.
II only know that I do care" Bob
answered tensely.
There was a long silence before the
girl again spoke. IT am moved to
confide In YOU" she said TREMENDOUSLY.
"This notorious gambler Is my fa.
ther. For this fault he and my moth.
er have been separated. She is now an
invalid confined to her room here at
the hotel. I am seeking a reconcilia.
ton between them both. based upon
the promise to forsake his ways,
which my father Is to give me tonight
My meetings with him had to be Sc
cret, mother would have resented In
| tervention."
Down the beach came a mans erect
| figure. "Good night" whispered the