The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-09-25
Chapter TX

Gerald found Pauline waiting for
him at the accustomed spot, after
luncheon that afternoon. She was In
the shadow of a great magnolia shrub.
dressed in lnconspicuous gray. with a
seil thicker thar the eXigencies Of mo-
tOring necessItated.
Pauline stepped lightly into the
place by his side. without waiting for
him tn vacate his seat.
"Turn round. please" she directed.
1--WE will go the other way. ! do not
choose to pass through the town."
Gerald Obeyed, although her request
only added fuel to the smOldering fire
Of his resentment. He turned away
towards the mountain road and main
tanned q silence which was not with
out It's significance. His companion,
after few minutes. glanced toward
him indifferently. He was leaning
back in his place. his eyes. as usual.
fixed upon the road. his left hand firm
~ grasping the steering wheel. The
humorous twitch, however, had gone
from his mouth. There was distinct
frown upon his forehead.
"You are perhaps weary today?" she
suggested "You should like to shorten
our driver"
Gerald turned and looked at her.
II am not weary" he replied. II am
puzzled. ! hate mysteries"
"The old complaint she yawned.
with new reading.' he retOrted.
II have shown myself ready, as you
must know" he went on, ito study
your rather peculiar .whims in every
way. but when il comes to meeting
YOU face to face at rhe club and receiv-
'ng nothing but the Stoniest of stares,
I must admit that the situation grows
,eyond me. am not-well, / am not
disreputable acquaintance. am II"
She laughed quietly.
mot in the least You belong to
What they call in England the middle
class aristocracy. do You nOt-twO or
shree centuries old, with damp house
IN park and an armful Of undistin-
suished titleSw
Are YOU afraid to- present me to
Madame de Poniere?" he asked, after
j moments pause.
Terrified" size admitted frankly.
Because my Guarterings are insult
;icient? might remark that my ia
her is the. ninth earl and that I am
his only son."
1T is not that at ALL" she assured
him indifferently. "There is really no
'eason why we should not meet in a
place like this on equal terms. but my
runt is woman with only one idea In
her head, and for the successful devel-
pment of that idea it is advisable
that we make no acquaintances what
rver here. There. my Lord Dombey.
have not been kind to YOU? ] would
see more of you II I could. because in
II place like this the escort of ~ man Is
IN advantage. As Il is, I can assure
YOU that I risk good deal in taking
these afternoon rides. If you knew
how wearisOne my life was and how
grateful / really am to you for these
few hours of escape, you would feel
more kindly toward me. See. give
you my hand. Let MS he friends"
1t was the first time during all their
acquaintance that she had accorded
him the slightest mark of favor. The
touch of her fingers thrilled and sur
prised him. He held her hand unresist-
ingly for several moments. Then she
drew II quietly hut firmly away.
"well, that Is settled" she said.
"Now talk TO me about other things.
Is there no news at the rooms? Has
no one been breaking the bank
There was something was going
to tell you,". Gerald replied, with,
sudden flash Of recollection. sat
next to a man at dinner last night in
Ciro's grill: who they say broke the
bank several times during the after
noon. I believe they said that he was
u Russian i suppose you know all
about him, however"
sT?' she exclaimed. "Why should l!
BECAUSE. between the courses OF ms
dinner. he wrote letter and sent IL
off by messenger He was ut the next
table and It was impossible for me 70
avoid seeing the envelope. 1t was ad-
dressed to Madame de Poniere.
She looked at him, amazed.
ITO my aunt?" she repeated. BUT
we received no letter from any one
last night. What was this man like!
a N