Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-02
CHAPTER w.

| CHAPTER w.
| 1t was q bad night in London. not
wild or turbulent, but swathed to the
eyes like an eastern woman in a soft
grey garment Of fog. 1t engulfed the
walled canyons of the city, thru
which the traffic had roared all day,
plugged up the maze of dark side
| streets, and blotted out the open
| squares. Close to the ground 1T was
thick, viscous, impenetrable. so that
one could not see yard ahead, and
walked ghostlike. adventuring into a
strange world.
Occasionally it dispersed. In front
OF the Joility Theater numbers of
arc lights wrought wagering mist
hung yellow space, into which con-
slant line of vehicles. like monstrous
shiny beetles, emerged from the outer
nowhere, .disgorged their contents.
and wereveclipsed again. And pedes-
TRANS in gay professional streamed
across the rudy glistening patch like
figures on slide.
| Conspicuous in the shifting throng
was q sharp faced boy. ostensibly
selling newspapers, but with keen
eye upon the arriving vehicles. Sud-
denly he darted to the curb, where
an electric coupe had just drawn up.
A man alighted heavily, and turned
to assist young woman.
! For an instant the lads attention
was DETECTED by the radiant vision.
The girl. wrapped in q yoluminous
cloak of ivory color, was tall and
slim. with soft white throat and
graceful neck; her eyes under
shadcwy lashes were little narrow.
but blue as autumn mist, and spark
ling now with amusement.
Watch your steps, auntie," she
warned laughingly, as plump,
elderly. little lady stepped stiffly
from the coupe. These London fogs
are dangerous"
The boy stood staring at her, his
feet as helpless as If they had taken
/, root to the ground. Suddenly he re-
| membered his mission. His native
impudence reasserted itself. and he
started forward.
paper, sir?"
He addressed the man. For mo-
ment 1t seemed as tho he were to be
rebuffed, then something In the boys
attitude changed his mind.
AS the man fumbled in an inner
pocket for change, the lad took q
swift inventory. The face beneath
the tall hat was q powerful oval.
| paste colored, with thin lips, and
| heavy lines from nostrii to jaw. The
eyes were close set and OF turbid
grey.
tits him. the boy assured imseif,
and opened his mouth to speak.
The girl laughed anusediy at the
| spectacle of her companion's passion
for news in this grimy atmosphere.
! and turned to the young man in
evening dress who had Just dismiss
ed his taxi and Joined the group.
It was the diversion the boy had
\ prayed for. He took a quick step
| toward the older man.
TT. b. s." he said, in q soft but
distinct undertone.
The mans face blanched suddenly,
| and coin which he held in his large,
white gloved palm slipped jingling to
the pavement.
The young messenger stopped and
caught 1t dexterously.
ST. b. ST. he whispered again, in
sistently.
'Here?" the answer came hoarsely.
The mans lips trembled.
| "Watchin' this theater-splits (de-
tsctives) by the million" finished the
boy promptly, and with satisfaction.
Under cover OF returning the coin. he
thrust a slip of white paper into the
others hand.
| Then he wheeled, ducked to the
girl with a gay little swagger of i'm
pudence, threw lightning glance OF
scrutiny at her young escort, and
turning. was lost in the throng.
| The Whole incident occupied less
than a minute, and presently the
/ four were seated in their box, and
the gay strains from the overture OF
The Strand Girl came floating up to
! them.
Il wish.I were little street gamin
in London" said the girl pensively,
lingering the violets at her corsage
Think Of the adventures! Don't
you, Frank?'
Frank Doughton looked across at
her with smiling significant eyes
which brought flush to her cheeks
mo-" he said softly. Il do not!"
| The girl laughed at him and
shrugged her round white shoulders
For young journalist, Frank. you
are too obvious-too delightfully."- YER
dant. You should study indirection,
subtlety, finesse-study our mutual
| friend, Count Poltavo!"
| She meant it mischievously, and
produced the effect she desired.
At the name the young mans brow
darkened.
He isn't coming here tonight?''
Doughton asked, In aggrieyed tones
The girl nodded, her eyes dancing
with laughter.
What can you see in that man,
Doris?" he protested. It'll bet you
anything you like that the fellows a
rogue! A smooth, soft smiling ras-
cal! Lady Dinsmore." he appealed to
the elder woman, do you like him?'
"Oh, don't ask Aunt Patricia"
cried the girl. "She thinks him quite
the most fascinating man in London.
Don't deny 1t, auntie!"
II shan't," sold the lady, calmly,
"for It's true! Count Poltavo"-she
paused. to inspect thru her lorgnette
some newcomers in the opposite box,
where she got just glimpse of a
grey dress in the misty depths of the