Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-12-18
HI i
The Palace
of Darkened
Windows

him that afternoon when he had
| felt his fears confirmed famed up
in him now in fire of fury. His
blood was boiling. Arlee Beech
ef in the power of that Turkish
devil. Arlee Beecher prisoned within
| that CHASTITY palace, 1t was unreal.
| 1T was monstrous. That radiant
girl he had danced with, that teas
ing little sprite, half f1ouung, half
flirting. Why, the thing was un-
| thinkable.
|. He put a hand on the dancers arm.
I'VE must go to the consul at once" "
he said. I'VE must get her out to-
| night"
| Consul" The girl gave a short,
derisive laugh. This is no matter for
consuls, my young friend. The law
| is slow, and by the time that law
will stand shocking upon the palace
doorstep. your girl with the fair
hair will be buried very deep and
fast--I think she would not be the
| first woman bricked into those black
walls. F.. You must go about this
yourself You are in love with
| her--yes?" She added impertinently,
with keen, uptilted eyes.
That's another story" Billy curtly
| informed her He made no attempt
to analyze his feeling for Arlee
| Beecher. She had enchanted him in
those two days that he had known
| her. She had obsessed his thoughts
| in those two days of her disappear
lance. Now that he was aware of her
peril every selfish thought was over
whelmed in burning Indignation. He
told himself that he would do as
much for any girl in her situation.
| and, indeed, SO hot ran his rage and
so dearly did his young Blood love
| rash adventure and high handed JUS
tice, that there was some honest ex-
cuse for the statement.
| .Zut! A man does not risk his
neck for Il matter of indifference"
said the little Baroff sagely, her
| knowing eyes on Billy's grim young
face. $50 I am to be the sister to
you-the Platonic friend-h'm?" she
| observed with droll resignation
Never mind--I will help you get her
| out as you got me-Gott sci dank.
There>is way, / think-if you are
not too particular, about that neck
l will tell YOU TALL and draw yol. a
plan when Ne get to a hotel"
But before they got to hotel there
was an obstacle or two to be over
come. A lady~ip Mohammedan wraps
might not be exactly persona grata
at fashionable hotels at midnight
Casting off the wrap FRITZ revealed
herself in a little pongee frock that
appeared to be suitable for travelling,
and with two wells and Billy's cap
for Ia foundation she produced an
effect of headgear not unlike that OF
some bedraped tourists
Il arrived on the night train" she
stated as they drew up before the
shining hotel 1T is late now for that
traln-but we waited for my higga gre,
which you will observe is lost. SO
pay for my room in the advance
think you had better give me some
money for that have nothing but
these" and she indicated her flash
ing diamonds.
My name,y said Billy. handing
over some sovereigns with the first
ray of humor since her revelation to
him, my name. if you should care to
address me, is lHill--Milliam B. Hill"
William B. Hill," she echoed with
an air of elaborate precision. and
then flashed a saucy smile at him as
he helped her ont of the carriage.
What yon call Billy, eh?"
You've got it," he replied in resig-
nation
Hill-that means a mountain" she
commented. "A mountain Of good
luck for me--h'm? And that B-what
is that for?'
BY middle name" said Billyi pa
tiently. as they reached the door the
Arab doorman was holding open for
them.
Absently she laughed. Her dark
eyes were sparkling at the vision of
the safe and shining hotel, the dear
familiar luxury. the sounds and
sights OF her lost Continental life. A
lew late arrivals from some dance
gave touch OF animation to the
Wlde rooms. and Fritzi's eyes cllne
delightedly to the group
God, how happy ! ami" she sigh
ed.
Billy was busy avoiding the clerk s
knowing scrutiny. 1t was the same
clerk he had coerced with real cigars
| to enlighten him concerning Arlee
| Beecher, and he. felt that that clerk
was thinking things about him now,
mistaken and misguided things
about his predictions for the ladies
Phllosophically he wondered where
they had better try after this.
But he underestimated the battery
OF Fritzi's charms, or else the serene
assurance OF her manner
My letters-letters for Baroff.'
she demanded of the clerk. None
yet Then my room, please.
| But | sent wire from Alexandria
ihat stupid maid" she, turned tic
explain to Billy, her air the las,
stand of outraged patience. "She is
at the train looking for that luggag &c
she lost she added to the clerk. and
thereupon she proceeded to arrange
for the arrival of the fictitious maid
whom Billy heard himself agreeing
TO go back and fetch If she did no,
turn up soon, and to engage room
| for herself--a much nicer room than
Billy himself was occupyine--ther
handed over Billy's sovereigns and
turned happily away jingling the
huge key of her room.
1T is miracle!' she cried again
exultant triumph in every pretty line
| of her. MY heart dances. NV blood
is singing Oh, if / were on the
stage now, the music crashing, the
lights upon me, the house packed,
would enchant them; I would dance
! myself mad. All what Won sa