Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1920-02-27

lOuS VI DdTDurd pTduloTu DeueCkcu
with my great-aunt's choicest jewels.
I fell asleep.
1t was almost dusk when I was
awakened by the arrival of the ex-
pressman with my trunks. After
had receipted for them and had I'M
packed. suddenly realized that was
hungry. for 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 I stopped I'm the lower
hall to chat with the telephone girl,
ostensibly to ask her to take any mes
sages for me, though l was expecting
none.
You're Mr.. Nelson, amt your she
asked. cycling me with curious interest.
"Yes," I replied. "Mr. Spalding Mel
son. am occupying the CASTOR apart
ment while they are away"
A flicker of amusement crossed her
face. with just the suggestion of a
sheer.
81 hope you'll enjoy living here"
"Why not?" replied carelessly. III
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 sight Of whom | had been iHten-
.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 a wOrld-weary
look in her face, and her beauty SEEM
ed to me to be married by a weak.
sensitive. passionate mouth. But I
l in the appearance of the girl | had
met In the park. If I 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
| opening at the front just enough TO
| give me a 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 second. as IL she
were warning me again not to recog-
nize her. | stood there abashed MS
she swept by me 70 the waiting motor.
The telephone girls voice Jared me
back TO my senses.
~ thought you was friend Of the
| Bradfords," she said sarcastically.
| Sure he is" said the voice of Mr..
Wick behind me. Didn't you hear
the boys telling me he came in twice
with Miss Bradford"
swell, what of it" answered
Iamely and fled from the house. indig-
nant at this open Pying of the EN-.
ployees into my affairs, yet entirely
at loss to know how to stop 1t. How
could l tell them I knew Barbara
Bradford. when she had just cut me
dead?
Feeling vaguely dissatisfied with
my first day In my new home, I board
ed bus and rode downtown to @
little French cafe. where my comrades
and had been accustomed to 20
when we were In funds. All about
me were merry Sunday evening din
ner parties, and I was alone. Birge
and Roller had gone, and Miss Brad
ford had refused to recognize me.
hurried through my dinner, paid my
check, and was leaving the restauran,
when at corner table I spied the
scar-faced man whom had seen In the
park a few evenings before.
He looked up and caught my glance
Into his face came a strange expires
sion, a look Of malignant hate not m
mingled with fear. Boldly | returned
his gaze. l was tempted to walk righ
up to him and ask him what he hat
been doing in the park, and why HI
had warned his mate away when hi
saw me there. Yet | had no right t
interfere Miss Bradford had MOI
taken me into her confidence. ! haC
only suspicious to go on that the tive
men had been there. to attempt some
wrong on the girl.
! Slowly | left the restaurant puzzled
more than ever by the malevOfent
glance he had given me, and perplexed
as to how | was going to serve Miss
Bradford, when she would not ever
recognize me.