Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-14
The
Abandoned
Room
By WADSWORTH CAMP
AUTHOR OF
THE HOUSE OF FEAR"
WARS DARK FRAME" ETC.
CHAPTER l.

! be angry, Bobby. The SITUATION IL
serious enough to excuse facts You
must go to the Cedars tonight. Do
you understand" You must so, in
spite of Paroles, in spite OF any
thing"
Peace until train time" Bobby
demanded.
He caught his breath
There they are. Carlos has kept
his word. See her, Hartley, She's
glorious"
\ young woman accompanied the
Panamanian as he came back thru
the hall. She appeared more foreign
than her guide--thc spanish of spain
rather than of South America. Her
clothing was as unusual and striking
as her beauty, yet one felt there was
more than either to attract all the
chances in this room, TO set people
whispering as she passed. Clearly
she knew her nOtoriety was no little
/ thing. Pride filled her eyes.
/ Paroles had first introduced here
| to Bobby month or more ago he
| had seen her number OF times
! since in her dressing-rOom at the
! theater where she was featured, or
at crowded luncheons in her apart
ment. At such moments she had
managed TO be exceptionally nice TO
! him. Bobby, however, had answered
merely TO the glamour of her fame,
! to the magnetic response her beauty
always brought in places like this,
"Paredes" Graham muttered, will
| have a powerful ally. You won't
/ iaii rue, Bobby Tuu viii gU!'
Bobby scarcely heard. He hurried
| forward and welcomed the woman.
| She tapped his arm with her fan.
"Leetle Bobby" she iispru. Il
haven't seen very much of you late
ly. SO when Carlos proposed-yOu
see l don't dance until late. Who is
that behind you? Mr.. Graham, is it
not? He would maybe, not remem-
Der me. l danced at a dinner where
you were one night at Mr.. Wards.
Even lawyers, l find, take enjoyment
in my dancing"
Il remember" Graham said. 1T is
very pleasant we are to dine togeth-
err" He continued tactlessly: But,
as I've explained to Mr.. Paroles, we
must hurry. Bobby and 1 have an
early engagement"
Her head went up.
AN early engagement! 1 do not
often dine in public"
AN unavoidable thing" Graham
explained. Bobby will tell YOU"
Bobby nodded.
IT'S nuisance, particularly when
you're 50 condescending, Maria"
She shrugged her shoulders. With
Bobby she entered the dining room
at the heels of Paroles and Graham.
Paroles had foreseen everything.
| There were flowers at the table. The
dinner had been ordered. Imme-
diately the waiter brought cocktails.
Graham glanced at Bobby warningly.
He wouldn't, as an example Bobby
appreciated, touch his own. Maria
held hers up to the light.
Pretty yellow things! 1 never
drink them"
She smiled dreamly at Bobby
But see! l shall place this to my
lips in order that you may make
pretty speeches, and maybe tell me
it is the most divine aperitif you
have ever drunk"
She passed the glass to him, and
Bobby, avoiding Graham's eyes, won
dering why she was so gracious,
emptied 1t. And afterward frequent
ly she reminded him of his wine by
going thru the same elaborate for
mula. Probably because of that, as
much as anything else, constraint
grasped the little company tighter.
Graham couldn't hide his anxiety.
Paroles Knocked it with Snaerins
phrases which he turned most care
fully. Before the meal was half fin
ished Graham glanced at his watch.
We've just time for the eight
thirty" he whispered to Bobby, IF
we pick up a taxi"
Maria had heard. She pouted.
There is no engagement" she
isped, AS sacred as a dinner, no en-
tanglement except marriage that
can not be easily broken. Perhaps
you fancy | excite unpleasant COM
ment. 1t is unjust. l assure you my
reputation is above reproach"-her
New York"
1T isn't that" Graham answered
1--WE must go. It's not to be evaded."
She turned tempestuously.
Am to be Inundated so? Carlos !,
Why did you bring me? Is all the
world to see my companions leave In
the midst of a dinner as if I were
pleague- touched? Is Bobby not ca
pable of choosing his own company%'
you are thoroughly justified,
Maria" Paroles said in his express
sionless tones. Bobby, however, has
said very little about this engage
ment. l did not know, Mr.. Graha m,
that you were the arbter of Bobby's
actions. In way I must resent your
implication that he is no longer ca
pable of caring for himself"
Graham accepted the challenge.
He leaned across the table, speaking
directly to Bobby, ignoring the 9TH
ers:
you've not forgotten what I told
you. VIII you come while there's
time? You must see. l can't remain
here any longer
Bobby, hating warfare in his pres
ent mood, sought to temporize:
Its all right Hartley. Don't
worry. I'll catch u later train"
Maria relaxed.
'Ah! Bobby still chooses for him
self"
I'll have enough rumpus," Bobby
muttered. when I get to the Cedars.
Don't grudge me a little peace here"