The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-04-23

HAu xcSeipteo ZOE tnem ana no0 IN
packed, I 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 nv
pocket and no room rent to pay for
several months. surely 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
ostensibly to ask her to take any mes
sages for me, though I was expecting
none.
You're Mr.. Nelson. amt your" she
asked, cycling me with curious interest.
yes" l 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 q
sheer.
II hope you'll enjoy living here"
"Why not?" / replied carelessly. 1T
any one calls, say that I 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 inten-
tionally lettering. One of the two
persons with her was plainly the
mother and the other l 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 l
had no eyes for her, so absorbed was
In the appearance Of the girl l had
met in the park. II / had thought
her beautiful then, she was ravishing
now. Her raven hair was piled high
and caught back with a great Spanish
comb. An trimmed evening
coat Of brocade swathed her figure,
opening at the front just enough to-
give me 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 a second. as if she
were warning me again not to recog-
nize her. | 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 a 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?" l answered
lamely and fled from the house, fndig-
nant at this open prylng of the en-
ployees into my affairs, yet entirely
at loss to know how to stop it. How
could | tell them / knew Barbara
Bradford when she had Just cut me
dead?
Feeling vaguely dissatisfied with
my first day in my new home I,hoards
ed a bus and rode DOWNTOWN to a
little French cafe where my comrades
and l had been accustomed to go
when we were in funds All about
me were merry Sunday evening din
ner parties, and l was alone. Birge
and Roller had gone, and Miss Brad
ford had refused to recognize me. I
hurried through my dinner, paid my
check, and was leaving the restaurant
when at corner table | 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 express
sion, look of malignant hate, not I'M
mingled with fear. Boldly | returned
his gaze. / was tempted to walk right
up to him and ask him what he had
been doing in the park. and why he,
had warned his mate away when he
saw me there. Yet l had no right to
interfere. Miss Bradford had not
taken me into her confidence. / had
only suspicious to go on that the two
men had been there to attempt some
wrong on the girl.
Slowly | left the restaurant, puzzled
more than ever by the malevolent
glance he had given me, and perplexe<i
as to how / was going to serve Miss
Bradford, when she would not even
recognize me.