The Jasper news., 1920-07-29

NhNHNAAAu WIN my tEuuhAs AAtNN
had receipted for them and had -
packed, suddenly realized that ! was
hungry. for had eaten nothing since
breakfast. Hastily donned my
clothes. stopping only to count my
money. With q weeks salary In my
pocket and no room rent to pay for
several months, surely could afrcrd
a good dinner to celebrate the change
in my fortunes.
As went out / stopped in the lower
hall to chat with the telephone girl,
ostensibly to ask her to take any mes
sages for me. though / was expecting
none. go
you're Mr.. Nelson, amt your she
asked, cycling me with curious interest.
"Yes," / replied, "Mr. Spaldlng Nell
son. / am occupying the CASTOR apart
ment while they are away"
A flicker OF amusement crossed her
face, with just the suggestion Of a
sneer.
~ hope youll enjoy living here"
"why notf' replied carelessly. 'Tf
any one calls, say that l will be home
by ten, Mlss--r
"Nellie Kelly" she added.
AS l chatted with her the elevator
had descended again, and three per-
sons emerged. one of them being she
for sight Of whom / had been inten-
tionally lettering. One Of the two
persons with her was plainly the
mother and the other 1 took to be an
older sister. She resembled Barbara
strongly, but there was a world-weary
look In her face, and her beauty SEEM
cd to me to be marred by a weak,
sensitive. passionate mouth. But ]
had no eyes for her, so absorbed was
In the appearance of the girl I had
met In the park. II / had thought
her beautiful then, she was ravishing
now. Her raven hair was piled high
and caught back with a great Spanish
comb. An ermine-trimmed evening
coat Of brocade swathed her figure,
opening at the front just enough to
give me glimpse of her barred white
neck. Involuntarily my hand went to
my hat, but into her eyes came a
naughty look and one hand went to
her lips for Just a second, as II she
were warning me again not to recog-
nize her. stood there abashed as
she swept by me to the waiting motor.
The telephone girls voice Jared me
back to my senses.
II thought you was a friend Of the
Bradfords," she said sarcastically.
"Sure he is" said the voice Of Mr.
Wick behind me. Didn't you heal
the boys telling me he came in twice
with Miss BradfordT"
"Well, what Of itT l answered
Iamely and fed from the house, indig
nant at this open prying Of the EN-
ployees into my affairs, yet entirel!
at loss to know how to stop II. How
could l tell them I knew Barbart
Bradford, when she had Just cut m'
dead7
Feeling vaguely dissatisfied will
my first day in my new home, board
ed a bus and rode downtown to {
little French cafe, where my comrades
and / had been accustomed to x
when we were in funds. All abou
me were merry Sunday evening din
ner parties, and was alone. BIrg,
and Roller had gone, and Miss Brad
ford had refused to recognize me.
hurried through my dinner, paid m,
check, and was leaving the restauran
when at a corner table l spied tn
scar-faced man whom had seen In tn
park a few evenings before.
He looked up and caught my glance
Into his face came a strange expires
sion. look of malignant hate, not IN
mingled with fear. Boldly ! returne
, his gaze. was tempted to walk righ
: up to him and ask him what he ha
been doing in the park, and why h
had warned his mate away when b
, saw me there. Yet had no right {
, interfere. Miss Bradford had nc
r taken me into her confidence. ] ha
/ only suspicious to go on that the tw
men had been there to attempt som
[ wrong on the girl.
! Slowly left the restaurant, puzzle
r more than ever by the malevoler
Q glance he had given me. and perplexe
8 as to how was going to serve Mii
. Bradford. when she would not eve
Q recognize me.
a HuAprE1 III