The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-07-11
BEAUTIFUL ENIGMA
BY JACK LAYTON.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For tho fourth time since he had
seated himself at the hotel table, Bob
Whiting turned deliberately 10 look
toward the entrance. Then with con
temptuous Impotence he continued to
study his menu card. What possessed
him that he could not 20 on with his
meal IN cuntcntmcni. until that girl ar
rived, II was rs wen 10 be honest
with oneself.
From the moment her dark eyes had
met his across the widespread Ia
blcs. he had been ms hewitched. though
the girls glance had been ms indiffer
rut rs II was unconscious "Thc Beau
tiful Enigma" they laughingly dubbed
the girl. who appeared ms guest,
alone and alofr, at the fashionable sea-
side resort.
Bob Writings purpose In spending
his vacation here was to he near young
friends. whose war training camp was
not far distant. This was really his
encouraging farewell to the boys he
fore they sailed overseas.
AT midnight. or near then" the sol
der lads insisted. "She might often he
soon bos,eninc down tho lighted way
when she returned man az distin-
o,,lshed opnonronce and military henr.
ing sometimes occompnnied her The
man was an undesirable frequcntcr NJ
the seaside community. gambler, II
had been whispered"
Roh Whiting r.collnr these conf.
dences rrooned i'm splrit How had
this unknown girl obsess.d him with
an ardent longing for her presence,
this more than eager determination 10
know her better. Bob glanced curl
nuSlv Mt the flowers upon her breast.
each dny the corSnge was her only
color. and 10 his fancy. the flowers had
seemed 70 express her varying moods.
"The Beautiful departs" laughing
voice remarked at his elbow.
cold military. with his snruce ret.up.
Is Whiting outsIde. oueer combin,.
,ion tbnsn two They say the man
rnl-,d I'm n fortune last night"
r-,t,lv siIa,t Rob rosc IN his foot
"c,,d ,,ign," called R,rn.v ipnoc.nt.
IL ohlivious
poh v-,t,i,c had ualled IN. tcn,,tb
~ tho Nor before no realized tho ~.
,iIit,. ~ his INDIGNATION "\ybnt had
6a Ia dn with tho girly- Again he
nrrcelv asked himself the question.
"Vby sh.,,,d the knowledge Of her aS.
socintes hiring him tortureY" Then
inst below upon the beach he saw
her. Openly. reluctant. the gamhler
WINS releasing her hand
"Jara ot oIeven tonight he said
clearly and tho Girl nodded CHANGING
inward she seemed 70 recognize Boh's
dorta,i,c face for nor avn flushed
vIsihlv
He watched her white dress until
:, dtsa,n.,red bef,ra him within the
hot.I doors tho, gIoouiIv he chose n
secluded cnr,er ~ tho veronda Was
rho ,,irI ut,.rlv unbafria,dedp Sureir
h.r evos wera IN. wide clear ewes OF
+, child And M woman was accus-
,omod IN ness unattended 81, night
,hrn,,,h ,hasa ,,ay streets ,hronged
Win s,r.ngars from many lands He
h,ms.,, youId wait vou,d 90 with
her. II ne could NOT dare this much.
then the oupstlon Of his heart was
NOT worth settling.
Co who, tho Girl came wor,lv forth
,otar sIinni,, uka som. small white
,hos, an, ,,to tho darkness Rob Whit.
Inc fo,Iowad Al the descent from
,hs nier She turned quickly and faced
him
"ybv" sbe asked ouietIv. edo Won
oomo his w,vy"
..To--v,tch ovar Won" he answered
nromn,,r
mr. ,,,rI shrugyad bar shoulders
.you ,oLo , ,,,d daoi unon vourself E"
sha soid
poh,s ,ono ,r,s rosoIuta .parhons
do" no oyr.ed "NevertbeI.ss I
intend "a assure myself that van are
aware of the fact that this man whom
ga, ma,, nor. ot NIGHT & notorious ma
,,,,t,io.r