The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-04-16

packed. / suddenly realized that was
hungry, for I had eaten nothing since
breakfast Hastily donned my
clothes, stopping only to count my
money. with a weeks salary In my
pocket and no room rent to pay for
several months, surely I could afford
good dinner to celebrate the change
In my fortunes.
As / went out ] stopped In the lower
hall to chat with the telephone GIRL
ostenslbly to ask her to take any mes
sages for me, though was expecting
none.
you're Mr.. Nelson, amt your" she
asked, cycling me with curious interest.
.'Yes,' / replied, "Mr. spaldlng Mel
son. am occupying the CASTOR apart
ment while they are away
A flicker OF amusement crossed her
face, with just the suggestion Of Q
sheer,
II hope you'll enjoy living here"
"Why notan replied carelessiy. IF
any one calls, say that Will be home
by ten, Miss"
"Nellie Kelly" she added.
As chatted with her the elevator
had descended again. and three per-
sons emerged. one OF them being she
| for d sight OF whom / had been inten-
tionally lettering. One Of the two
persons with her was plainly the
mother and the other took to be an
older sister. She resembled Barbara
/ strongly, but there was world-weary
look In her face, and her beauty seem
ed to me to be marred by weak,
sensitive, passionate mouth. But
| had no eyes for her, so absorbed was
in the appearance of the girl | had
met In the park. If | had thought
her beautiful then, she was ravishing
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 a glimpse of her barred white
neck. Involuntarily my hand went tc
my hat, but into her eyes came q
naughty look and one hand went to
her lips for just a second, as IL she
were warning me again not to recog
nize her. l 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 friend of thu
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 Bradfordw
"Well, what of it?" / answered
lamely 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 It. How
could l tell them knew Barbar;
| Bradford, when she had just cut m
dead?
Feeling vaguely dissatisfied wit
| my first day In my new home, board
/ ed a bus and rode downtown to
; little French cafe, where my comrade
} and / had been accustomed to G
: when we were in funds. All abou
me were merry Sunday evening dir
ner parties, and / was alone. Brig
e and Roller had gone, and Miss Brat
Y ford had refused to recognize me.
r hurried through my dinner, paid m
t check, and was leaving the restaurar
|, when at corner table / spied tn
I scar-faced man whom had seen In th
j? park a few evenings before.
r He looked up and caught my glance
g Into his face came a strange expires
e sion, look of malignant hate, not III
e mingled with fear. Boldly returne
e his gaze. was tempted to walk rigl
= up to him and ask him what, he ha
d been doing in the park, and why /
IF had warned his mate away when /
d saw me there. Yet had no right
interfere. Miss Bradford had M
e taken me into her confidence. I hs
/ only suspicious to go on that the tW
A men had been there to attempt son
n wrong on the girl.
d Slowly left the restaurant, puzzle
% more than ever by the malevolel
glance he had given me, and perplext
lie as to how I was going to serve Mi
- Bradford, when she would not eve
recognize me.