Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-07-29

Il nnd recetpted Tor them and hn0 IN
packed. l suddenly realized that ] was
hungry, for ! had eaten nothing since
breakfast Hastily ! dOnned my
clothes, stopping only 10 count my
money. With a weeks salary In my
pocket and no room rent TO pay for
several months, surely / could afford
a good dinner 10 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 l was expecting
none.
You're Mr.. Nelson. amt your she
asked. cycling me with curious interest.
YES" 1 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
sneer.
81 hope you'll enjoy living here"
"Why not?" l replied carelessly. ''If
any one calls, say that 1 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 a sight of whom I 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 a 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. II l 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
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. "Ddnt you hear
the boys telling me he came in twice
with Miss Bradford?"
"Well what of it?" I answered
ameIy and fed from the house, indig-
1ant at this open prying of the en-
oloyees into my affairs yet entirely
1t loss to know how to stop it. How
could / tell them l knew Barbara
when she had just cut me
lead?
Feeling vaguely dissatisfied with
ny first day in my new home, board
ID a bus and rode downtown to a
title French cafe, where my comrades
md l had been accustomed to go
When we were in funds. All about
ne were merry Sunday evening din
Ter parties, and l was alone. Birge
md Roller had gone, and Miss Brad
ord had refused to recognize me. l
lurried through my dinner, paid my
heck, and was leaving the restaurant
When at corner table 1 spied the !
car-faced man whom had seen in the
ark few evenings before.
He looked up and caught my glance.
nto his face came a strange express ,
ion, look of malignant hate, not I'M ,
Mingled with fear. Boldly returned
is gaze. / was tempted to walk right ,
p to him and ask him what he had
cen doing in the park, and why he
ad warned his mate away when he
aw me there. Yet l had no right to ,
1terfere. Miss Bradford had not /,
AIKEN me into her confidence. l had
My suspicious to go on that the two =,
len had been there to attempt some
rong on the girl. y
Slowly left the restaurant, puzzled 7
lore than ever by the malevolent
lance he had given me, and perplexed
5 to how I was going to serve Miss 4
when she would not even
.cognize me. 4;