Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-09
THE MYSTERY GIRL


the engager comes along"
The wind blew fercely. It was
showing a little, and the drifts sent
feathery clouds through the air. The
trees, coated with ice from a recent
sleet storm, broke off cracking bits
Of ice as they passed. The girl looked
about, at first curiously, and then tim
idly. as II frightened BY what she saw.
It was not long ride, and they
stopped before a large house, showing
comfortably lighted windows and a
broad front door that swung open even
as the girl was getting down from the
sleigh.
For the land sake! - exclaimed
brisk feminine voice, this amt Lefty
Who in the earth have you got here?"
II don't know" Old Salt Adams re-
piled, truthfully. Take her along,
mother, and give her nights lodging"
But where is Lefty? Didn't she
Gomez" .....'
"Now can't you see she didn't come?
tion? Or dumped her out a'ong the
road? No--since you will have 1t, she
didn't come. She didn't come !"
Old Salt drove on toward the barns,
and Mrs. Adams bade the girl go into
the house.
The landlady followed, and as, she
in frank curiosity.
"You want room, s'pose." she
began. but, I'm sorry to say we
haven't one vacant"
"Oh, I'll take Letty's. She didn't
come, you see, so I can take her room
for tonight"
Lefty wouldn't like that"
''But / would. And I'm here and
Lefty isn't. Shall we go right up?"
Picking up her small suitcase, the girl
started and then stepped back for the
woman to lead the way.
mot quite so fast-if you please.
What Is your name?"
As the landlady's tone changed to a
.ternsr infection, the girl likewise grew
my name is Anita AUSTIN" she
said, coldly.
Where are you from?"
New York City"
What address?"
Plaza Hotel"
BY this time the strange dark eyes
had done their work. A steady glance
the world to do her bidding. At any
rate. Mrs. Adams took the suitcase, and
without a further word conducted the
stranger upstairs.
She took her into an attractive bed.
room. presumably made ready for the
absent Lefty.
"This will do" Miss Austin said,
calmly. "Will you send me up a tray
Of supper? don't want much, and I
prefer not to come down to dinner"
Land sake, dinners over long ago.
You want some tea. m bread. m but
ter, n preserves, m cake?'
Yes, thank you. that sounds good.
Send 1t in half an hour"
hiss Mystery Battles Speculation
To her guest Mrs. adams showed
merely face of acquiescence. but once
outside the door. and released from the
spell of those eerie eyes, she remarked
to herself. For the land sake!" with
great emphasis.
well, what do you know about
that! :" Old Salt Adams cried. when,
after she had started him on his sup.
per. his wife related the episode.
II can't make her out" Mrs. Adams
said, thoughtfully. But don't like
her. And ! won't keep her. Tomor-
row, you take her over to Belton's."
Just as you say. But thought her
kinda interesting looking. You can't
say she isn't that"
Maybe so, to some folks. Not to
me. And Letty'll come tomorrow. 20
| that grill have to get out OF the room. -
Meanwhile that girl" ysas eagerly
peering out of her window.
She tried to discern which were the
lights of the college buildings, but
| A. Aha 1Okt Coll
she could see but little. ,,
"Corinth.'' she whispered. "Oh,
Corinth, what do you hold for mr?
| What fortune or misfortune will yoi
bring me? What fortune or misfortune
| shall ! bring to others: Oh, Justice,
Justice. what crimes are committed in
thy name!" =,
The next morning Anita appeared
In the dining room at the breakfast
hour.
Mrs. Adams scanned her sharply.
and looked a little disapprovingly. at
the short. scant skirt and slim, silken
egs of her new boarder.
Anita, her dark eyes scanning her
hostess with equal sharpness, seemed
to express an equal disapproval of the
country -cut gingham and huge white
apron.
Not at all obtusc. Mrs. Adams
| sensed this. and her tone was little
more deferential than she had at first
intended to make 1t.
Austin?" she indicated a chair next
| herself.
mo, thank you. I'll sit by my
friend" and the girl slipped into
lacant chair next Saltonstall Adams.
Old Salt gave a furtive glance at
| is wife. and suppressed chuckle at
Ter surprise.
This is Mr.. Tyler's place. he said
to the usurper, but | expect he'll let
YOU have it this once
| II mean to have 1t all the time,
and Anita nodded gravely at her host.
"All the time is this one meal only"
crisply put in Mrs. Adams. "I'm
sorry. Miss Austin, but we cant keep
you here. ] have no vacant ROOM"
The entrance of some other people
gave Anita a chance to speak in an
undertone to Mr.. Adams, and she sale !:
you'll let me stay till Lefty comes,
won't you! ! suppose you are boss
As matter of fact almost any
phrase would have described the man
better than boss in his own house"
and he chuckled as he replied. "You
bet am! Here you stay-as long
as you want to.
You're my friend, them" and an
appealing glance was shot. at him be-
meath long, curling lashes. that proved
the complete undoing of Saltonstall
Adams.
'To the death !" he whispered in
mock dramatic manner.
| Anita voyp a shiVer "Whof a ray