The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-31

1 CHAPTER D. | Divers Opinions of Miss Mystery" l With a sudden, desperate effort i John Waring pulled himself together, 1 and gave a little laugh, as he di- rected Nogi to remove the wrecked l teacup
 Pick up the four corners and carry it all off at once" he ordered, pointing to the small rug on which the cup had fallen, and NCgi, little clumsily, obeyed
 ! Pardon the awkwaNlness, Miss Austin he said, turning to smile at 1 the girl, but even as he did so his voice trembled, and he turned has
 What is it, John?" asked Emily Bates going to his side. Are you HIP"
 "No-no, dear; it's-it's all right. i That foolish teacup upset my nerves. I'll go off by myself for few mo- ments.'
 Somewhat abruptly, he left the room and went back to his study. | Listening intently, Mrs. Bates heard him lock the door on the in- side.
 I'm sorry" she said. turning to ] Anita, but I know you'll forgive pr. ] Waring He is under so much strain at present, and a foolish accident, l like the broken teacup, is enough to give him a nervous shock"
 T know" said the girl, sympa- | thetically. "He must be very busy and absorbed"
 To Lockwood's surprise, Miss Aus tin was really gay and merry and quite held her own in the chaff and repartee.
 Yet as Lockwood noted her more closely his quick perception told him her gayety was forced. | The secretary's ability to read hu- man nature was almost uncanny and he truly believed the girl was mak | ing merry only by reason of her l firm determination to do so | Why? He wondered. 1 Gordon Lockwood was a rare type i of man. He was possessed of the most impressive face, the most inn l mobile countenance imaginable. He never allowed himself to show the slightest excitement or even interest. i This batit, acquired purposely at I first. ral grown upon him until it : uas second nature. He would not ! S1o. nvthing could move him, c0tU tt his poise or disturb his atty. He heard the most grati
 5r the most eXasperatinS news wto equa. attention and equal lack j or surprise or enthusiasm. Yet though this may sound unat- rlctlVC, 70 great was Lockwood s be rsouafty. so responsive and recep- tsr4 his real nature beneath his outer euip5 that all who really knew him like hiu and trusted him. W lring depended on him in every respect t[e was more than secre- tary Go h' employer He was coun- selor and friend as well.
 And " ring appreciated this, and rated L1cl.wood high in his esteem ud affec ion.
 And now. Gordon Lockwood smiled natr0 aiZir sly at himself, as he was forced ta admit an unreasonable, in- e7lG aab}e interest in a slip of a girl with a dg rk, eerie little face and a manner crave and gay to extremes.
 Ec- Aqua was positively laughing ef some foolishness of Pinky fs.ra Still, Lockwood concluded, laIue her narrowly. yet unob-
 -veI she was laughing immoder- eF She was laughing for some
 sur other than merriment. It rerrrd on hysterical, he decided, and eluatrt.d why.
 He iolped the group of young people .,nI in his quiet but effective
 Id:
 had enough foolery for the
 4iss Austin-come and talk
 the girls amazement, he
 He and and led her to dav-
 the other side of the room.
 he said. as he arranged a
 two. lis that right?'
 tshs said and lapsed into
 sEe s9t looking off into vacancy, and Lockwood studied her. Then he said. softiy
 "It's too pad, isn't it?"
 "Yes. Anita sighed, and then sud