Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-12-20
respond to the clicking of the latch.

You're not used to calling on fiat
recital. ~
Later, when they were in the din
ing room, before taking their places
at table, she showed him the push
button which released the inner street
door,.
ITS 30 odd you nsver saw that
sort of thing before" she commented,
and Brooke. realizing that he had
stumbled in his part, devoted his con-
%versation at dinner to mention OF such
sights and scenes as had impressed
him most during his bpiee stay in the
Windy City, clothing zach with = AS
nue. Of an atmosphere of familiarity
he was able to command. z,
But gradually, as he ratified on, he
became conscious that his entertainer
failed to respond with any degree CT
certainty concerning the streets or
the buildings to which he made allu-
sion. There was a tendency on her
part to g%eneralize which awakened in
his mind a question as to whether she
knew even the little about Chicago
that he. did himself.
""How long has it BEEN" he ASKED
'AASAA W Sa4ou+ VA SAAOSoC "CkS Ocs
fore him., "since you left Chicago,
Mrs. Mumford?"
Two years." she answered, un-
f1inchingly.
you lived there long?"
oh, yes; 7 went there when quite
a kiddy."'.
Brooke marveled that her English
should so long have continued pure
and undefiled.
did + understand that you lived
On the North Side?" Following his
short Acquaintance with the city, this
geographical denomination had ling
cred, but the term was evidently not
familiar to Mrs. Mumford, which
puzzled him.
my memory for names is wretch
ed" she excused herself. II can't re-
call the street. 1t may have been
North. I'll have to ask Mr.. Num-
ford"
Brooke had been served with a
Bronx cocktail as an aperitif. Now he
was drinking, very temporarily, be II
said, an od~d-tasting champagne,
which instead OF being poured at the
table was brorSht in in glasses by the
maid, a fresh glass being provided
when the wine in the one in use low
! cred.
The peculiar taste Of the vintage,
coupled with, this odd method OF
serving it. and both considered in
conjunction with his hostess's singu.
lar lack Of knowledge regarding the
city in which she had been, by her
own statement, reared from child.
hood, aroused a sudden distrust in the
visitors mind.
In vain he. endeavored to think OF
what the flavor of the wine reminded
him . 1t had q medicinal :ang that
was as specifically elusive as it was
generally evident. Again and again
he tasted it as sparingly as comported
with good taste and a desire not Il
arouse suspicion, searching for the
note of resemblance.
Don't you like. the wine. Mr.
Meores 2" his hostess asked presently;
having detected his manner Of drink.
brand that vas recommended to Mr.
Mumford-the pure, fermented Juice
Of the grape, without any dectoring,'
she explained. Cant you taste the
grape in it? Take one big swallow
and you'll notice It,"
Brooke. partly treasured, .obeyed
draining his glass.
II do observe q difference" he said.
And he was quite sure, though he did
not tell her, that 1t was not the grape
that made II. For now. even - he
spoke. that for which he had beer
cropping revealed itself. A physician
had once given him q sedativs Ii
which choral was the chief ingredi.
ent. 1t was Of that sedative that the
champagne reminded him. Instantly q
suspicion. almost q conviction, fash.
ed across his understanding. Fol
soY,s reason or other the big, nord.
faced woman. with hair Of FURNISHED
cooper, who rat opposite to him, wal
plying him with drugged wine.
The maid ct that moment brough,
him another. glass.
/" can't IS he added, that j
care for It particularly.
But Mrs. Mnmford was etidsntly
ITS q matter ~ taste-eduaated
sfaste. + Guppo4e. 7 don't like II much
imyne1E. Would you prefer sOnne
Whisksysand vafst?
Brooke poiiteiy nsgatived ths sug.
chs pray DON'T bother ~ nd
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