The Washington times., 1923-11-20
BLACK OXEN:-:By Gertrude Anterior

| was over. That IL the reason
she was 30 fond Of me. DO you
think I am Mary's bastardY
'I did, don't now
don't know what to think :
I have never lost that first I'M
pression-wholly."
she stirred slightly. Was It q
movement OF uneasiness? He was
horribly embarrassed, but de-
termined to hold his ground. ana
he kept his eyes on her face
which retained its expression OF
mocking amusement.
''But you think I am an adj
ventures Of some sort.
'.The word does not apply 70
you. There is no question that
you are q great lady"
'Of course I might be an act
ress,' she said cody. II may
have been on the stage In Vienna
when the war broke out. become
accidentally associated with
Countess Zattlany. won her con-
fidence. owing to the extraOrain-
ary observation-disclosures blood may
have met and mingled In Gro
Magnon stolen her papers,
LED her to talk OF her youth-of
course every one knew Countess
Zattianys record In European
society--forged her power Of at
torney with the aid Of an infat.
uated clerk. poisoned herand
here amI''
He laughed. "Bully plot for
the movies. That is q new anglo
as they say. I hadn't thought of
It. And q good actress can put
over anything. I once heard q
movie queen, who was the best
young aristocrat, in looks and
manner. ever saw on the
screen, say to her directorre-
peating Q telephone conversation
II says and he says and then ]
seen he hadn't heard me-
For the first time since he had
know her she threw back her
head and laughed heartily. Even
her eyes looked young and her
laugh was musical and thrilling.
Then she demanded: "And do
you think am an actress who
got an education somehow"
II think you are an actress,
but not that sort. Your imagi-
native flight leaves me cold"
Perhaps you think I had
Mary's personality transferred ana
that 1t exists side by side with
my own here in this accidental
shell. There are great scientists
/. in Vienna
"Ah,w He looked at her sharp
~. Button, button-I feel a
sensation Of warmth somewhere"
Romantic Youth.
She laughed again, but her
eyes contracted and almost closed.
81 fear you are very romantic
young man az well as very
curious one"
az deserve that. Well, I am
curious. But not 30 curious as
interested"
II hope you are not falling In
love with me" Her deep voice
had risen to q higher register
and was light and gay.
''I am half in love with you.
don't know what is going to
happen"
"And you want to protect your
self by disenchantment7"
Perhaps"
land you think It IL my duty?"
Possibly I'd fall in love with
you anyway, but I'd like to know
where / stand. I have a con-
stitutional hatred Of mystery out
side Of fiction and the drama"
"Ah." She gazed into the fire.
''Mr. Dinwiddie. no doubt, is max
ing Investigations. If he verifies
my story. would you stiIl dis
believer"
81 should know there was some.
thing back Of it all"
"You must have been q good
reporter
zone Of the best"
81 suppose It is that"
Partly. I don't think that
II you were not just what you
are I'd care hang. Other PEG.
pies affairs don't excite me. I've
outgrown mere inquisitiveness."
''That is rather beside the point,
isn't it? It all comes back to
this-that you are afraid Of fall
ing in love with me-"
you don't look as II It would
do me any good IL I did"
why not let 1t go at that?"
II think the best thing can
do is to get out altogether"
She rose swiftly and came close
to him. "Oh. no! I am not
going to let you go. You are the
only person on this continent who
interests me. I shall have your
friendship. And you must admit