The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-05-18

S6EEolHszJo JOSEPH NANGa ~

shafts, the gate TO winch was even
then being closed.
When she entered her room the
telephone was calling. She lock-
ed the door; and for as long as
1T continued TO ring, which it did
for upwards Of five minutes. At
length she gave it up as bad
chair near the door, till a knock
brought her to her feet in a flut-
ter
Your bill, ma M
When she forced herself to turn
key and knob, she more than half
expected to see her husband But
the bellboy was alone. Lucinda
took the bill and counted out the
money.
Take those bags. please" she
said, indicating the new dressing
case and the bag which she had
brought from New York, put
them in a taxi at the door and
old it'll I come down.
Running out into the hall. she
found the stairs and pelted UT
two flights. One Of the elevators
was rising. 1t stopped two floors
below, then came on up in res
ponse to her ring.
ibid you let somebody out at
my floor?''
Yes, nam, a gempman.'
Take me down, please, without
stopping.
The car dropped with sickenins
rapidity, and she stepped out into
the foyer in conStern alton when
Bel placed himself before her,
blocking her way to the street.
Her heart checked and raced.
she was oddly at once aghast and
elated. ubconsciously she had
wanted to see Bel, face to face, to
sec how he looked, how her flight
had affected him.
Though he seemed to be quite
himself, his face looked thinner,
his eyes trifle more deeply set
in his head. and there was new
firmness in the set OF his mouth
In this new guise, the old APP
several beats her heart missave
In matter-of-course way Bel
offered a hand and Lucinda touch
ed It m mechanically.
Sorry. Linda, If disappointed
you, but thought recognized
your handbag being carried to
the door, and waited for this car
to come down on the off-chance
II see," she articulated with an
effort.
you can give me few min
utes surely"
BEL: 1 tell you it's too late"
Struggling to keep his temper.
Bel caught his underlip between
his teeth, while Lucinda cast wit
lessly about for some way OF es-
cape. None offered. But she no
ticed that young man standing
nearby was observing them with
keen interest, a rather brilliantly
good-looking young man, brilliant
ly we'll dressed. AS Lucinda's
glance rested transiently on him,
his face frightened with a tenta-
tive smile, and she thought he
started as if he We're impu lsiyely
moved to approach. II SO, he
instantly. With a
frown she looked back to Bell
He made gesture of entreaty.
"You can't put me off like this
Linda. when I've come so far, gone
through SO much
u can because 1 must, Bell
will"
no, BY God. you cant and
He caught her arm lightly as
she tried to pass. She stopped,
her face hardening.
Are you going to make an
other scene. publicly disgrace me
again even when sober?
His hand dropped to his side
Lucinda began to walk rapidly to-
ward the street entrance, but had
taken few steps when Bellamy
ranged alongside.
Linda: you've got to listen to
me. There's something I've got to
tell you
Il mean to so to Reno, as sooa
as you let me pass"
Bellamy'S eyes narrowed as il
in physical pain. He threw out a |
hand Of inarticulate protest, and
let it fall in despair. Subduing a
desire to bolt for it, Lucin-
da began to descend at a pace not !!
with dignity. At the
same time sensitiveness to the sit
uation, the feeling that they had !
been playing a scene OF intimate
domestic drama for the edification |
Or an entire hotel, made her aware
hat the young man whose interest
had first manifested neSr the ele-
vators had followed across the
foyer and was now standing at the !,
lead of the steps, over acrossffrom |
Bellamy-
Pushing through the door. she
breath ed thankfully the singing
winter air. The canopy lamps j
made the sidewalk bright, and she
her bellboy shivering
By the open door Of ta.icab-
A = II az ss Il III
The bellboy caught heri
arm to help her into the cab and
hattered: "W-where tito. m m?'
She was prevented from answer
ing by Bell, who elboWed the boy /
aside and caught her by the
shoulders. 4
mol" he cried violently. mo
you shan 't-d'you hear?-you
han't go with out listening to me.
BY some means, she did not
know quite how. Lucinda broke
,rt of his hands and stepped back. !!