Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1924-08-15
Chapter VII

Chapter VII
Gerald ordered the dinner and the
! wine. Then he started the CONVERSE
ton with somewhat abrupt question.
Chris" he asked, exactly what do
: you think OF Mademolselle de Ponl-
eref"
II don't know her." Christopher re-
minded him.
"As matter Of fact, neither do T."
Gerald declared, a little bitterly. "She
permitted me to introduce myself down
on the sands below the villa, and she
has been for ride with me in the car
every afternoon since; yet she does
this secretly, and If meet her with
her aunt am not allowed to speak 10
her or to expect recognition. am
not permitted TO call at the villa, l
don't know where they come from,
don't know even her nationality. /
fiatter myself thai for my few but
well-spent years l have seen some
thing OF the world and its snares, but
honestly cannot place these two
women"
What is mademoiselle's attitude
toward you when you are alone?"
Christopher asked.
"Ridiculously reserved" Gerald an
swered. 81 once touched her fingers
and thought she would have struck
me. Humiliating though 1t may be, l
am half inclined TO believe that It is
the motoring alone which attracts her
In the slightest degree, and that rep
resent very little more TO her than the
man who is driving the car"
Their conversation was momentarily
interrupted by the arrival in the place
Of newcomer, a stranger 10 both the
Young men. He was tall and broad
shouldered, sallow-skinned, with a
mass Of black hair, good features, but
with hard, almost brutal mouth. I'm
mediatcly he had been relieved Of his
coat, he made his way to the bar
crank two cocktails in rapid success
sion and III n cigarette Then he wan
Gcred to the table adjoining the one at
which the two young men were seated
md, having given his order for dinner,
busied himself making calculations
upon some scraps Of paper which he
tore up as soon as they were filled with
figures. Gerald spoke to the waiter
who served them, with whom he was
well acquainted.
"A stranger here, Charlesa"
The man glanced over his shoulder
and lowered his tone.
"A Russian gentleman. Milford" he
Staying at the Hotel de
Paris-Monsieur zubin, he calls him
self They say that he has been play
Ing very heavily"
Russians VINO play high are no
great novelty here" Gerald remarked,
lnder his breath There are not so
many of them with money, nowadays,
though. Chris" he went on, as the
nan left them, you asked yesterday
what was the matter with me. I'll tell
'ou It's this uncertainty about Made
noiselle de Poniere. It's an absolute
orment to me. It's getting on my
lerves."
rs ii the character and reputation Of
hese ladies' concerning which you can
lot make up your mind. or is Il made
loiselle's lack Of reclprocation to your
ventures which you find dlstressngr'
For G-d's sake, chuck that legal
osh !" Gerald begged. ITS both 20
Christopher laughed quietly. There
'ere people who called Gerald the
lost spoilt young man In London,
nd his present predlcament had its
umorous side. Gerald himself made
little grimace.
It's all very well, Christopher" he
hid, but / am a great deal too near
eing In earnest over this. Pull your
IF together and suggest some way OF
citing hold Of the truth"
"If the girl herself won't help you"
christopher replied, how can anyone
SEP
Il suppose you're right" Gerald as
nted gloomily. -
The place had become very crowded,
deed A small orchestra was play
& In the far corner. Several unat-
ched young ladies, who preserved an
r Of naughty Indifference towards
g company generally, but seemed to
on remarkably good terms with the
ad waiter, had brought color into
e little assembly. The large man
10 was reputed to be a Russian had
He'd for pen and ink and, between
e courses, was writing a letter The
litre dhotel. who knew Gerald
'oped and whispered In his ear.
Monsieur zubin, the large gentle
IN you asked me about, Milford" he
has just won two million
mes over at the casino. Some of
use people have followed him over.
must have the money in his pock-
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