, 1919-10-30

not
"Why, halo !" she cried, recognising
the visitor. Come In, Delano."
HALO. Maryp
The wheel-man entered and sat
down. The girl closed the door.
The young woman sat down upon the
head of a couch.
Delano plunged into the object of his
coming.
Zone night Palmer and 1 were tear
ing around down here, you told US
something about your mother" He
nodded toward the old woman. what
was it-you had a chance to fix her
up with a home in the old town
wasn't that the idea?"
"Oh, that" the tall girl laughed
mirthlessly with a pretense of careless
ness. THAT was just a pipe dream o.
mine You know-my married sisters
living in New Orleans. They've a lit
tie place out of town-truck farm, /
reckon.
Even If 1 could scrape the fare to-
gether, mother couldn't make the trip
without some one along.
"She couldn't be trusted alone,
though it'd be a grand place for her
to be-"
81 knowl" Delano's voice was
YEARLY impatient. "Now, look here.
How Don can you get her ready to
travel-clothes and all that?"
shes got a trunkful of Clothes"
she said finally, good enough and all
she'll ever need"
There's a party going down that
way" he said slowly, tonight think
"a young m I've no doubt she'd
take carr of your mother-we could
arrange tiff you'll line everything up
right away. The young lady will I'M
derstand that it's a friend of mine.
Seer"
ITS almighty good of you" she NUT
tered. 81 wish there was some way I
could get back. but 1 know well enough
there never will be-"
"Oh, the deuce !" negatived Delano.
"As far as that's concerned, I'm I'M
der obligations to o II you only
knew It,"
Fifteen minutes later he was speak
ing to a startled girl who sat huddled
on an uncomfortable iron bench under
meath a frowsy cottonwood. Delano
saw her shrink when he stopped by
her.
I'm sure I don't know who is re-
sponsible for the rumor," he said, po-
litely, but some one told me that
there was a Southern lady at the hotel
who was leaving for New Orleans to-
night"
The girl struggled with her trem-
bling voice.
"Not-not-tonight," she said finally.
"Ahl Well. it was a mistake, then.
I'm sorry. You see, 1 have a-er-a
distant relative living here-a very old
lady. I've been wanting her to have n
visit to a daughter In New Orleans, but
h is so infirm-deaf and almost blind
that she cannot make the journey
alone.
81 had thought OF asking you to take
charge of her,"
81 wish 1 could" began the girl
indistinctly.
IT'S too bad" went on Delano in
an absent, disappointed monologue. 81
wish 1 could get some one. I'd be only
too NiiiHB W pay dh idNtiinB "a
penses and a reasonable amount in adj
dition.'
"O-o-oh-" the dark eyes were all
at once wistfully eager. "rd love to
undertake the care of the lady, Mr.
Mr."
"Delano. l have no card with me-"
"Mr. Delano. / am Miss Martelle.
You see" she stumbled, and then
went on frankly:
81 came out here to take a position
that-that didn't materialize-and
there doesn't seem to be anything else
for me. 1t would mean lots for me to
get back to New Orleans-that way.
My home is not very far from there"
Now" remarked the listener, this
is surely providentlal. Tell you what
I'll do. I'll pay all the travelling tx
penses and give you 5000 for your
trouble. VIII that be satisfactory"
but It wouldn't be worth that
much. Mr.. Delano 7" she heatated hon.
estly.
Its worth It to me-to send the old
lady with some one / can be sure Of
some one who will take care of her.
One thing more.
'P1l bring your ward to you at the
depot. The train leaves at eight
twenty. It's settled then"
"Yes-yes-of course"
81 must bid you good afternoon now.
Have a business engagement"
I'D like YOU to know" The girl
came close. I'm under very great OBJ
legations. and some time I'm going
to-"
mot at all" interrupted Delano cas-
ually. II am the n who should be
grateful. Until tonight, then"
"Huhi" grunted Simon as the alb
sentee came behind the roulette-wheel
to relieve him. Lot o. worthless pups
nnt around hare Iaaf ahout mt