The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-07-10

|
Il do not know where I am going"
she answered slowly. II have never
been In New York unit, today"
"But you have friends hereT
She shook her head.
But nre you really carrying eight
thousand dollars about with you In
| New York at night7 Do you know
the character of tho place you came
| out OFF, I asked, trying to find some
clue to her actions.
"Oh. yes. That Is Mr.. Days gam
Ing house. came to New York to
| play at roulette there"
She was looking at me 80 frankly
that / was sure sho was wholly igno-
rant of evil.
my father is too III to play him
SELF" she explained. $50 fuust find
hotel near Mr.. Days house. and then
! shall play every night until our for
tune Is made. Tonight I lost nearly
| two thousand dollars. But I was nerv-
| Gus In that strange place. And the
system expressly says that one may
lose at first. Tomorrow I raise the
stakes and we shall begin to win.
Sect"
She pulled little pad from her bag
covered with maze Of figuring.
"But where do you come fromr I
asked. "Where Is your father2"
| Again ! saw that look Of terror cceue
into her eyes. She glanced quickly
about her. and 4 was sure she was
thinking Of escaping from me.
| hastened to reassure her.
"Forgive me-" said. "It Is no bus
lness Of mine. And now, II you will
trust me little further will try to
find hotel for you"
1t would have disnrmed the worst
man to feel her little hand slipped
into his arm in that docile manner Of
hers. I took her to the Seward. the
Grand. the Cornhill and the Merri-
mac-each in turn.
Vain hopei When asked for .
room for her the clerk would eye her
furs dubiously. look over his book In
pretense. and then inform me that the
hotel was full.
| My curiosity had given place to deep
anxiety on her Sc ount. What was
this child doing In New York alone,
and what sort of father had let her
come, II her story were truef What
was shef She looked French and had
something of the French frankness.
There was only one thing to do. and.
though I shrank from the suggestion
II had to be made.
ut 10 evident that you must 70
somewhere tonight" said. II have
two rooms which I am vacating to
morrow. They are poorly furnished.
but there Is clean linen, and II you
will occupy them for the night can
go elsewhere, and will call for You
Mt nine In the morning."
She smiled at me gratefully-shs
did not seem surprised ut all.
"You have some baggagel" asked
"No, monsieur" she answered.
She was French. then-Canadian
French. had no doubt. was hardly
surprised at her answer. had ceased
to be surprised Mt anything she told
me.
Tomorrow shall show you where
to make some purchases, them" I said.
"And now. mademoiselle. suppose we
take taxicab."
As her hand tightened upon my arm
I saw man standing on the west side
Of Broadway and staring intently
at us.
He was Of a singular appearance.
He wore fur coat with collar Of
Persian lamb. and on his head was .
lambskin cap such as worn In colder
climates but 10 seldom seen In New
York. He had an aspect decidedly
foreign. and I imagined that he was
scowling at us Indignantly.
called taxicab and gave tho
driver my address.
go through some side streets and
20 fast" l said.
The fellow nodded. He understood
my motive. though fear he may have
mlsinterpreted the circumstances.
During the drive I instructed my
companion emphatically.
"Since YOU have no friends here you
must have confidence In me. mademoi-
selle." l said.
"And you are my friendf Well.
monsieur. be sure trust you." she
answered.
"You must listen to me attentively.
then" I continued. "You must not
admit anybody to the apartment until
ring tomorrow. have the key. and
l shall arrive at nine and ring. and
then unlock the door. But take no
notice OF the bel You understand:
"Yes, monsieur" she answered
wearily. Her eyellds dropped; l saw
that she was very sleepy.