The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-09-04

they drew nearer The younger of the
two walked slightly In advance. She
was rather over the medium height.
and her carriage, although she was
not In the least assertive, was full of
| the simple dignity Of one who has
been accustomed to command respect.
She was slim, yet the outlines of her
| figure were so soft as to become al
most yoluptuous. She wore a dress
of perfectly plain black lace, against
! which the skin of her neck and shout
ders seemed of almost alabaster white
ness. Her only ornament was long.
double. string Of pearls Of unusual
size. Her hair, glossy and absolutely
| let black, was brushed from her fore
| head and around her ears so that
| II seemed almost like a sheath. Her
| complexion was absolutely pallid, her
lips natural scarlet. Her eyes were
Of deep shade Of brown. inclined
| to be half closed, as though she were
short sighted. Her eyelashes were
long and silky; her eyebrows looked
as though they had been penciled,
and yet left conviction Of entire
naturalness. Such details as re-
NAMED of her toilette were unique
vet simple. The woman who followed
her possessed also an air Of distlnc-
ton, but she was middle-aged, with
gray hair and somewhat unwieldy
figure. She carried herself with an
air Of Difference toward her COM
panion. -
: "wellf' Gerald whispered excited
~.
"She is very beautiful and very un-
usual" Christopher admitted. "Have
you no idea who she isf
""If I had found any one who knew
who they were, 1 should have been
introduced before now" was the
blunt reply. Freddie Carruthers has
gone down to ask the superintendent"
The two women subsidized on to q
couch. The elder one gave an order
to q waiter, the younger one glanced
indifferently around.
81 wish Carruthers would come"
Gerald muttered impatiently. 81 didn't
exaggerate, did /, Christ"
"No."'the latter admitted, 81 can't
say that you did. She is very wonder
ful and very interesting. It is quite
your day for adventures"
Gerald laughed scornfully.
You're not comparing our little
protege from the hills with-with her,
are your he demanded.
Each has her charm" Christophef
replied.
Gerald leaned back In his chair and
laughed long and heartily.
"Our little wild rOse," he said, rs
like thousand others-a pretty face.
q fascinating age, confiding manners.
In twenty-four hours she would have
taught you all that she could know
Of love and life She is as much q
y0kel Intellectually as this girl Is .
mystery. Are there any queens or
royal princesses wandering about the
world nowadays, Christ, I swear that
she looks as though she had stepped
down from q throne. Thank heavens,
here comes CarruthersT
A young man who had been star.
Ing in at the doorway recognized Ger
aid and came across to them.
mo, 60. old thing" he confded,
leaning down. ''They are registered
here as Madame and Mademoiselle
de Poniere-aunt and niece. The old
buffer downstairs, however, admitted
that he believed that to be an as
sumed name"
Couldn't you bride him, or some
thingT Gerald asked eagerly.
"Old Johnny fairly cornered me-"
Carruthers explained. "The two Ia
dies, he told me, had declared their
desire to remain incognito. 1t was
not, Stherefore, the business Of a
! gentleman to be inquisitive. Where
upon came away with my tail be-
tween my legs. All the same, don't
believe he has the least idea who they
are"
Gerald sighed.
II shall know her sooner or later"
he muttered. "but It's such a waste Of
| precious time" r
I "You won't forget that we promised
to go and see MYRTLE early?" Chris
TOPPER reminded him.
Gerald stared at his friend.
MYRTLE? Who the devil Why,
the child from the violet farm, Of
course! I'd forgotten all about her."
|
MYRTLE came flying to the door.
Christopher saw her eyes travel over
his shoulder, he saw the sudden cloud
upon her face. A queer little stab Of
pain startled him by Its very poignancy.
Monsieur Gerald, he Is not with
your she asked disconsolately.
Christopher shook his head.
/ HE was up late last night" he ex-
planned. 81 went to his room but he
was fast asleep. I dare say he will
come on presently"
"He promised to be here early"
she said. "Has he spoken Of me?
Has he said anything about sending
me back?" -
Nothing" Christopher assured her.
do you still feel that you don't want