Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-24

He looked surprised Il don't think l quite
get YOU
Claire glanced significantly at his wrist to
which the light chain was attached He caught
the trend of her mind and smiled, then froWned,
"If you'll pardon me for saying So was in
tensely surprised at not hearing your name
mentioned in the will"
$50 was l." said Claire bitterly; "but that Is
a matter which prefer not to discuss.
She turned to look out Of the window with
the manner of who desires conversation
discontinued. Stephen appeared to hesitate for
moment then picked up his valise and walked
down the aisle toward the head of the train, in
different to the curious eyes of such Of the pas
sengers as happened to observe his manner OF
safeguarding the small piece Of luggage.
Claire continued to stare out at the dull.
monotonous country with eyes as hot and brood
ing and sulen the lurid sky, thickening
into dark opacity as the daylight waned. 1t
was sufocating in the car, and such heavy air
there to breathe seemed charged with a
sort of poisonous depressant. The faces of the
passengers humid, congested, and
the aisle plethorc painting
for breath and started up ftfully from time to
time he dozed. Claire wondered how she
going to be able to pass the night.
She angry with herself for having ac
cepted the offer of this complacent young
stranger whom she felt had profited at her cost.
playing safe" said Claire to herself, and her
full lip curled scornfully. "Thats the way to
get what you want in this world Play safe. II
I'd had the sense to play safe I'd be safe now
instead of beggar and prospective outcast.'
For it was borne in upon her mind that the
reception of her aunt and hostess was apt to
be affected by the knowledge of her disinheri-
tance. 1t was one thing to entertain prospec-
tive heiress and another to dispense a grudgng
hospitality to an INDECENT relative who had first
broken her engagement with a millionaire and
then found herself left portionless.
Blacker and blacker grew Claire's mood un-
til she found herself in state of desperation.
She could see light ahead. The discovery Of
the character of her fance, which led to the
breaking Of her engagement, had been catas-
trophe enough she thought, but assuaged to
some extent by the prospect Of independence.
Now that this was withdrawn she felt herself
derelict There were number of who
greatly desired to marry her and although not
one of these made any appeal to her husband,
she began to reflect that it might be wise to se-
lect the most desirable and do her duty as
wife to the best of her ability.
I'D better take my medicine and play safe"
she told herself with sort of bitter scorn. i've
no talents, business ability. no coquetry nor
faculty for getting something for nothing. The
first thing know I'll be developing into a hard,
acrimonious old maid. Better play safe like my
self-satisfed neighbor."
She sent the porter for sandwich and a
glass of milk, then waited in another seat for
him to make up her berth. Inside it with the
curtains drawn she felt though buried alive
in msfit coffin not far removed from the in
fernal regions. Nervous depression added to the
intensity Of her bodily discomfort The perspi-
ration ran from her in little rills, but without
the agreeable sense of depletion to be found in
Turkish bath.
''1'll be sodden mass by morning if live
through this fearful night" said Claire to her
self. 1t difficult to understand the reason
for such extra discomfort. The porter had as
sured the protesting passengers that all Of the
Tentilators were open, even to the screened
apertures of the windows. That Of Claire was