The Dolores star., 1924-10-10
Gerald niled slightly.

ask for her help"
MYRTLE had been looking from one
TO the other of her two companions
with sense of growing trouble IN
her eyes.
"Messieurs." she interrupted 1T was
wrong OF me not TO tell you before
speak little English. | understand
very WELL
You are n most amazing child =
Gerald exclaimed. looking down ut her
In genuine astonishment. You have
never been ten kilometers from your
homestead, and you speak foreign
language! That comes of having Il
schoolmistress for mother, suppose.
However. have no fear, We shall dis
pose of you pleasantly
Tomorrow, she said timidly. Il
can find work"
Tomorrow he hanged" Gerald re
piled Look about you, little one. We
are entering the town II your story
Is true-and we know that II is, he
added hastily, you see for the first
time shops. villas, hotels. The build
ing in front of US Is the casino. Now
You see the lights that fringe the bay"
1T is amazing" MYRTLE murmured.
They drew up AT the side door of the
hotel where the two young men were
to stay. Gerald descended.
Take care OF the child for few
minutes, Chris" he begged. Il am
going to interview one of the house
keepers"
He disappeared into the hotel. Myr-
tile watched his tall. slim figure until
1t was lost to sight. Then the fear
seemed to return. She shivered.
81 am n troahle to him" she fal-
tered He will hate me for 1t. only
meant that you should drive me some
where where | could lose myself. Per
haps had better go. monsieur. Can
| not slip away before he returns:"
He would be very angry If you did,
Christopher assured her. ''lIe has
gone TO arrange for some one TO look
after you for the night. Tomorrow
| think you will do well II you try to
find some work. If you wish 1t, l will
help you"
Her eyes still devoured the door
through which Gerald had passed.
Tell me his name?' she begged.
His name" Christopher replied, is
Gerald Annesley Dombey."
She repeated II after him, a little
hesitatingly.
II shall always think Of him ns
Gerald" she said. "It is very pretty
name. Tell me, why did the chauffeur
say your lordship'T"
Because he Is the eldest son Of an
earl and he is entitled TO be called
Lord Dombey."
"Ile is noble, tben7 I am not sur
priSed He seemed like that to me.
And you. monsieuri May know your
name?"
MY name is christopher Bent" he
replied, plain christopher Bent"
Christopher is very nice name"
she said, with trifie of unconscious
condesCensiOn. but of course 1t is not
like Gerald"
She looked longingly back towards
the crowded doorway, and the young
illbLl WIN Sl'''i ny ll'l slut was Al" al y
Of a curious and altogether inexplIca-
bic sensation. He suddenly found
himself envying Gerald's careless but
fascinating manners, his good looks,
his light, debonair manner of speech.
Even this little waif picked up at the
roadside was already under his spell
Then Christopher remembered other
things about his friend, and his face
grew stern.
Gerald returned presently with a
neatly-dressed young woman. He held
out his hands to MYRTLE and assisted
her to alight.
TT Is all arranged, child" he an
nounced. Annette is chambermaid
here. She will take you to some rooms
close at hand, where You will be made
comfortable. Tomorrow morning,
early. Christopher and Will come and
see you"
"Mademoselle will be entirely well
suited" the young woman declared.
1T is but few yards away"
MYRTLE, still wrapped in Christie
piers coat, looked little pathetic as
she stood upon the pavement by An
nette's side
81 shall not see you again tonight,
then. Monsieur Lord Dombey?" she
asked shyly
Not tonight" he laughed. "And
Monsieur Gerald is quitr enough from
you, petite. Tomorrow we will have a
long talk. Have no fear-you shall
not return to the farm unless 1t is
your wish"
MYRTLE stopped and with sudden,
passionate gesture raised his hand to
her lips. Then she dragged Annette
OF without looking behind. Gerald
laughed little consciously
Our village maiden is somewhat
demonstrative.' he remarked lightly
Come on. Chris. A cocktail while
they unpack our clothes. I've tele-
phoned to the villa. We must do a
duty dinner there first. but after
ward ! will show you the land where
the pleasure seekers OF the world have