The Press., 1922-11-02
Gerry and the Yelled Woman
By FRANK WILLIAMS

| 1n0 IeLC0E 1OuuQ by O0FFy NHISh on his desk upon his return from lunch was penned in feminine hand and read like this:
 "Tm in trouble. Will you help me? l know you are adventurous and not afraid. There may be fight; there may be danger. Please, please help me. Address Blue Eyes, box 292 city"
 A puzzled look came into Gerry's face as he read this epistle through twice, very carefully. Where had he seen this handwriting before? And l who was Blue Eyes?" What trouble was she in and what danger might beset the person who tried to help her? l For a moment or so Gerry thought | of throwing the letter into the waste | basket Then the adventurous streak which had been so cleverly mentioned | by the letter writer asserted itself. Gerry drew himself up to his stalwart six feet one while a whimsical light came into his eyes.
 i "I'll do it," he said. ''It ought t~ be good spOrt!"
 | It was the next day that reply in the same handwriting came to Gerry, l following his dispatch of letter 0f- l fering aid to the address given by "Blue Eyes"
 Here was the way this second letter read:
 Meet me in the post office at 30 o'clock this evening. I'll wear black veil and red carnatiOn." Promptly at the hour directed Gerry was on the spot, waiting with pleasur-. able excitement. What would the girl he like? What sort of adventure and possible romance would she lead him into?
 But Gerry's strong desire to see the girl and learn at once whether or not she was as pretty as he told him. self he had right to expect met with disappointment when the lady arrived just as a SOnOrOus clock was striking the half hour.
 Blue Eyes was slim and straight and youthful, apparently, but the veil she wore was black and impenetrable, and she reSOlutely refused to take off i the veil or even lift a corner. Still her voice was pleasant and remi- niscent. Where had Gerry heard that voice before?
 The girl led the way out of the , post office. On the top of the steps , leading to the street she paused and directed Gerry's attention across the street.
 "See that man hiding in the door way?" queried the girl.
 Gerry looked and saw that man really was skulking there in the dark ness.
 Hes following me-" the girl went On. He's one of fhe, men you've got to look out for"
 Gerry shrugged his shoulders.
 Let 'em come," he laughed. "l should worry. This is getting inter esting."
 Then. after a moments pause, he went on.
 i've got my car here. I'll take you wherever you say"
 "I'm glad of that" responded the girl, Take me out of the city. on the Brampton road. I'll tell you where when we're we'll out"
 Gerry's car was a speedster. It took him but few moments to thread his way through the light, early eve ming traffic and to hit the highway. where he opened up at a Iaw-defying speed. And as he raced through the night he felt strangely, happily ex- hilarated. He didn't know who the girl was at his side. He didn't know what danger he was speeding into But he did know that he was content and that a warm, delightful feeling of friendship and intimacy was grow ing between the girl and himself.
 "I've known you somewhere" said Gerry softly to the girl. "WRere did I meet you? Who are you, anyhOwP'
 You're sure you've known me?' queried the girl.
 "Positive!' calculated Gerry.
 You're right-yOu have!" the girl responded.
 But who in the world are yOuY' demanded Gerry again. |.
 "I'lI not tell yOu-it would spoil everything" the girl answered, enig- maticalIy.
 And with this Gerry was forced to be content. Content, that is, for the moment, for Gerry was strongly de termined to know whether or not the romance he so greatly desired was hiding behind that thick veil.
 And later, as they drew up at last before dark, silent. fOrebOdng house on a side road, Gerry's chance came. There was strong wind. This wind flirted with the girls veil and suddenly caught it~upward. In the light from his car Gerry caught swift glimpse of the girls face. He gasped Yes, Nhe'd known the girl But-she was a chambermaid at the place where he rOOmed!
 With this astonishing discovery, which was really dismaying to Gerry, who was strong for assOciating only with those people who were marked by family or attainments as being the sort of people he wanted as friends, all the savOr in the adventure sudden ly went from him. He turned mOrOse- ly toward the car, intending to take the girl with him back to the city and make quick end of it. No wonder ne focOgnlZoU HeF hdnuWF1thS-n0 seen it on a bill which she had pre- pared for the landlady and then pre- sented to him.
 But Gerry's sudden decision didn't get him very far. The girl. sensing the change in his attitude, came close to him and laid her hand on his arm.
 Please go through with it," she .R.s ! need your help. And you're the only man of all those in the boarding house felt would be the right sort to help me. Please go through with it,"
 Gerry turned back to her. After all, why not? It was adventure he wanted, and if romance was lacking what matter? q
 "All right, lead On," said Gerry. I1