Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-23

more or less familiar with, and his admira.
ton was none the less for the paucity OF the
order. Nancy Bowman Of THE Purple
Moth" was privileged to order what she
pleased. N+
Jerry. that appleu put ne in Dutch.
They'll think I've logged in a tightwad. It's
all right for Nancy to order an apple"
well. I am a tightwad, as you call it.
Jenny. I never eat unless I'm hungry"
Nancy laughed.
but how'm goin' t. wise you up t tn
town II you don't open up?"
II never ate a lobster. Jenny. I've got to
watch how you do it first. I've eaten apples
all my life"
Never eaten a lobster? Well. you are q,
hick."
Suddenly and strangely there came to
Bancroft the peculiar sensation Of being
stared at, not casually but boringly, with the
steadiness and applicability Of a drill. His
glance roved hither and yon without finding
what he sought. He turned to the left; no
stare came from that direction. Then he
swung his glance to the right-and met, two
tables away, the merry blue eyes Of the
seller of adventures. whom, during these
new excitements, Bancroft had forgotten
completely.
Bancroft waited for a minute before he
acted. The queer pounding of his heart
warned him not to be precipitaate. The
seller Of adventures was, not here accident.
ally, but for 4 purpose, or he would not
have sent that message of the eye. 1t was
strange. He had not the least authority for
the suspicion that behind this man Stew
arts actions lay a menace; there might
really be such a concern as the Great Ad.
venture company; nevertheless. this sus.
picion refused to be dislodged; it was
rfropoor topiobt than over An Instinct.
rightly or wrongly. he would rave to obey
this instinct.
you excuse me for a moment?" he
said. There's a man at my right I want
a word WITH
"Certainly,' said Nancy, but she thought
his voice sounded odd.
She saw him stop at a small table at
which sat a singularly handsome elderly
man, alone, who rose, said something, and
pointed to a chair. Despite her interest she
was struck by the utter absence Of cordially
between the two;b but against this lack there
was nothing in the department of either to
suggest hostility in the slightest degree.
What a handsome mani" she exclaimed.
DO you know who he is. jenny"
Never saw tn bird before. Say, maybe
he's a hick from our Jeremiah's village, Gee.
what a home town that dump must be! If
they're all as good lookin,, I'm sure soln'
down there on tour. What's tn name Of tn
Dump"
II don't remember. My one thought was
to get out Of it,"
Yea, DO! But that bird has New York
writ all over him. How'd Jeremiah come
t. know a swell like that?"
wen soon know. But, Jenny, remem.
Der; go light. Most of you girls think it
great sport to make a man spend his last
dollar on you. Mr.. ~CollinEswood has his
way to make. Don't abuse his good nature"
Hereafter it'll be sandwiches an milk,
But t'night he's got t. go through tn mill.
l won't sting him for more'n ten. If he let's
out a holler along tn route, g'-by! You
got t know, Nancy; it's no world for tight.
wads." ~
That's the truth. It's just a world Of
s~pendthrlfts; and any man who has tn work
for his living has no business in these place
have no business here, either. I don't
think It's fair. 1t ought to be Dutch treat"
All right" agreed Jenny with a know.
ing laugh. when tn bill comes in. vo,
suggest 1t. If he let's it go Dutch, then I
don't know man.. He'd pawn his watch
first. Why. he'd blow all he's got. If we'd
let him. Say. it would be a fine one on me,
Woulont IT, t pay for my own lobster! Zowie!
Ia never hear tn last of it. But you watch.
JeremiahH come through without battin'
an eye. He won't mind beans for tn rest
O. tn week."
I'm sorry 1 camel
They saw Craig coming dow the narrow
aisle between the tables, and Jenny beckoned
to him enthusiastically.
Well?" said the seller of adventures, as
he resumed his seat.
" You wished to see me?" countered Ban.
croft, smiling. This encounter would nat.
urally be something Of a fencing match.
What makes you believe I wanted to see
you?"
Your eyes fairly dragged me over. Still,
I've been doing a good deal Of thinking about
you"
"Ah. From what angler"
Hanged if I know"
Let's see. 1t was seven nights ago,
wasn't it? And I find you in q fashionable
restaurant, the host of two very handsome
young women. Now 1 should say that that
was getting along. Yes, sir; I should say
that was getting along. May I ask who they
are?"
Miss Bowman and Miss Malloy Of .The
Purple Moth I should be happy to intro.
duce you," said Bancroft with a flow of
malice. 81
Stewart laughed, and to Bancroft's ear it
was that queer hidden laughter, coming from
behihd a hall or out Of a cavern.
I'm too old for that. Mr.. Collingswood: far
too old"
"Collingswood?"
wv = . SlSHL Ol yOUs
We never lose sight Of a prospect so long as
there has been no definite refusal. You are
living in a house which you inherited, but
under the name of ~Collingswood. Not a bad
idea. 1t gives you freedom Of action. II you
make any friends they will be disinterested.
You are a remarkable young man in many
ways. In seven days you have found out al.
about the Bolivian Emerald company and
George Bellman. and 1 believe you are salts.
fled with both. l had given you a month to
make New York: two months in which to de.
eide for or against the Great Adventure com.
pany. and here you are. already a part Of the
night life Of the town"
NO. not a part Of it. just an interested
May I ask what the young ladies have
ordered?"
Is that a proper question? ~"-astonished
With any other mansit would not be. OF
course, ! do not expect you to answer. /
merely put the question" 5
:" I zee no reason why I should not satisfy
your curiosity. Miss Malloy has ordered lsb.
ster and Miss Bowman an apple"
Stewart stared at the two young women.
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