The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-04-24

visits. Once having gained access to
such a building 10y forged references,
so long as they paid their rent prompt
ly, no one in the building would both I
er his head about the character of any
of the other tenants.
This last theory seemed the most
plausible. Besides it was the easiest
to work on. 1t ought not To be diff
cult to ascertain who lived in the two
apartments above. Undoubtedly my
best source of information would be
Nellie Kelly. the telephone operator.
Perhaps, too, she might be able TO in
form me of my great-uncle'S where
abOuts. More than likely he had left
n forwarding address for his mail with
her.
/ With letter l had written to my |
mother. l descended To the main floor /
and began a conversation with Miss |
Kelly by asking where was the near |
est place that could buy stamps. As
we chatted | began complaining how
lonely il was in the apartment and
wound up by inviting her to dine with
me that evening.
had anticipated ready acceptance
of my invitation and was amazed to
find it firmly refused. In n much con-
fused manner she advanced dozen
reasons, or rather preteXts. She did
not go out with the people of the
house. Her mother would not like it.
She did not know me well enough.
Mr. Wick would discharge her if he
heard about it.
From an unexpected source. though
none the less unwelcome, | found an
ally. Mr.. Wick himself bobbed up
from somewhere. apparently having
overheard enough of our conversation
to know what it was abut.
"Why, of course, Mr.. Nelson he
| began in an ingratiating manner that
| was most repelIent TO me. Miss
| Kelly'n be glad to go to dinner with
/ YOU. It's part of her business to make
i things pleasant for the tenants"
1t seemed to me that the girls eyes
flashed defiance at him and that she
was still inclined to refuse, and was
! about to explain resentfully that my
Il invitation was not issued on a bust
: ness basis, when into Wicks face
Il came an ugly look, something almost
:, threatening.
"Of course Miss Kelly will be glad
e TO 90 with you" he repeated sharply
= Certainly" said the girl quickly
/ before l had chance to speak, I'll
y Mr.. Wick thinks it is all right, VII
be glad to 60"
N Her acceptance did not ring true
was convinced that it was unwilling
in IL given under some sort of com
g. pulsion from the odious Wick.
I'll met her, at her suggestion, in tn
e. parlor of one of the less pretentiou
hotels. In the hour that had elapse'
d. since she left the apartment she ha
at exchanged her neat black working
suit for more mOdish clothes. Ate
ce one quick glance at her TRANSFORMS
"a appearance my mind was quickl
ny made I'D as to what sort of a restaI
r. rant to take her. Ii was manifest tins
M sheewas of the type that would EMO
I'd to the utmost the costly whiri or Ut
m fashionable cafe of the moment
lily was my purpose to give her such
le- delightful evening that she would
Ie wishing to spend others in the san
err WAY. for l felt certain that she, pc
hans better than anyone else, cou
nd sunnly me the information ! wantt
ne about the tenants in the building.
are WAS sure it would be well worth II
nv while TO win her good graces. co
,ed what il may. Calling a taxi, l ba'
IDS the chauffeur take US TO the Nhi
till Room" the very latest fashion in re
taurants, where hOrdes of hectic pJ
ere suers of pleasure were wont to asseI
the bic to dine and dance. | observed {
oo CLEAN of satisfaction that came In
,rd ber eyes as she heard me mention o
destination.
tho At first we talked, in Broadw
OK fashion. of the theaters and restf
rants, of the place we were in' OF
on people at the tables about u.s. L
ard gradually / led the conversation
&c Miss Kelly herself and to her VIC
rds in the apartment.
bis sit was funny, wasn't it. L sa
,,nt "about Mr.. Wick insisting on "
IN coming with me? ! had a notion
di- didn't like me"
,rId Hitherto my companion had b'
% most vivacious, chattingsmerrily, fla
1orr ing back at my sallies with clever
ton of that slangy repartee of which m
s+,II of the metropolitan business girls
,t,o such clever mistresses. AT my last
oiro mark a quick change came over
It, face. 1t was as if a mask had b.
80 set I'D between us behind which
cive was hiding from me.
t. 81 guess he likes you" she ansv
80, ed guardedly. II never heard him
70 one way or the other"
ond ."While we're talking about
iors apartment" l went on, did my q
orId .ncle happen to leave a forward
nv address with you? There are s.
the thihss "ant
o~- pearls they left behind-and he
or,s not written me yet where his add
NV will be-"
-. | had not intended to mention
stiu CASTOR pearls. i had slipped
phrase in on the spur of The nom
s but little was / prepared for the
.I,o founding effect my words had
,ep her.
'S ..,r, ~. che roSpa1 turl