The Winslow mail., 1924-02-08
CHAPTER ~
Framed.

H0oL1ly ONCI LlC mOncy BIC WIS ECCA-
sning. But the flush that overspread
her face showed her confusion, and
when, compelled by Winton's presence,
she raised her head, her modification
was too evident for Wintons feelings.
Suddenly he understood the mean
ing Of her self-depreciatory words in
the coach. A glance at the smirking
Mattresses, who were plainly of a
class that had drifted to the fields for
adventure and predatory purposes
showed him the humiliation of the
girls position. He remembered what
she had told him about two kinds Of
women; and in flash he understood
more than he could have learned in
the course of detailed explanation.
He saw the invisible class barrier
that recognized two and only two con-
ditions On one side you were of the
chosen; on the other, you shared the
circumstances of the most VILE There
were no subtle nuances Of station here,
nothing by which a decent woman was
recognized as such, unless she came
to Malopo In the care of some man Of
Independent means.
And flood of pity surged over the
young man. He strode impulsively to-
ward the desk.
Miss SeatOn!' he exclaimed. Ct"
She shook her head in vexation.
You must go away, Mr.. Garrett" she
said
II want to see you, to speak with
you"
Il dare not. Please go awayw
Her distress was so evident that
Winton could do nothing but obey.
"At least let me meet you afterward,"
he pleaded. Let me walk home with
you. shall wait for you on the
stOep."
:M only you'll go away now"
begged Sheila.
Winton went to table. AS he sat
down he was conscious of the glance
Of the hotel proprietor, who stood near
the entrance. The fellow was watch
ing Winton and appraising him. Win
ton saw the Mattresses glancing at him
and smiling. And then he understood
still more than before.
The fiashy women in the Continental
dining room were there much less for
their ability to wait than to draw GUS
toners. And Sheila, in the cashiers
seat, was the particular magnet of the
place. And Winton might be "fnd"
The proprietor was sizing him up as
q potential captive Of his cashier He
was estimating him in terms of pounds
and shillings brought to the bar Of
the Continental. The mattresses, al
ways alert for new victims with money,
were watching him, too.
Winton understood Sheila's shame
to the full. 1t was his now, and it
overwhelmed him. He must get the
girl away from that place Not for an
instant did it occur to him to doubt her.
He saw the desperation that had driv-
en- her to her employment, tied to q
drunken, od-fornothing father, in
land where women were Of two kinds
alone, the parasites and the home
makers.
He did not raise his eyes to the desk
again, but ate his meal hurriedly,
ignoring the friendly approaches of
his waitress, and went out upon the
stoep. He sat down, looking across
the market square. The sun had set,
and darkness was coming on with the
swiftness of those low latitudes He
began planning busily for Sheila and
her father
He must discover what hold De Witt
had over Daddy Seaton. II he could
break that bond and restore the old
mans self-respect the beginning would
have been made.
"Well, it's fine evening" aiD't It."
said voice beside him.
Winton swung round, to see the little
man whom he had noticed before sup
per standing against the wall of the
hotel. He started. How long the man
had been there he could not imagine,
but he felt almost as if his thoughts
had been laid bare.
The man dropped into the chair be-
side him. And what do you think OF
this country?'' he continued, fixing
Winton with his black eyes. "Strang-
er, amt you? ! spotted you as soon as
you came in this afternoon"
Yes. I'm stranger" answered Win
ton cu:tly.
There amt many Americans in this
country yet, but they won't be long
coming You always find EN- where
the money is said the little man. In
terested in claim?'
II might be-" answered Winton. "As
a rule l keep my affairs to myself. "
"Oh, no offense," said the little man
hastily. Were all here for the money,
mint we? OF course you're dead right
TO take that stand. You don't know
me and don't know you. Towns full
of rogues and /. d. B. men, anyway.
That was a smart trick getting away
with the De Witt stone. eh2 But the
police will prove too smart for those
feuows-h 1t amt a lie.''