Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1924-08-22

| gested. Gerald is too electric to
night for a man Of my staid tempera-
ment."
I'm not so sure Of your stald tenn
permanent as / was" Mary rejoined
christopher, l am not at all sure that
you two young men are behaving nice
ly in Monte Carlo. Gerald seems to
have an extraordinary craze for TAX
ing the mysterious young woman next
door out motoring every afternoon.
Who is she7'
II haven't the falntest idea" Chris
topher confessed. Neither has he.
That, I think, is part of the attrac-
ton"
Lady Mary played with the pearls
which hung from her neck.
ITO leave the subject of our mys-
terious neighbors, have you succeed
ed in finding any employment for your
little protege YETI" she inquired, look
ing up at her companion.
mot yet" Christopher replied. Il
have written to cousin of mine In
London, who goes In for that sort of
thing, to see If she can find her
post as nursery governess. The girl
is altogether unusual. Her father and
mother were both school teachers.
Sometimes l feel inclined to regret
that we ever discovered her. but so
long as we did, and brought her here,
we must try and start her properly"
"And, in the meantime, the poor lit
tie fool is hopelessly in love with Ger
aid. Well, you both know what you
are doing, l suppose. l should be sor-
ry to have your responsibility.
think I ought to go and see how dad
is getting on with his MILE"
"Wait one moment" Christopher
begged, laying his hand upon her arm
81 want you to watch this"
She looked up curiously Gerald
had just entered the crowded little
room, and, at the same moment, Made
moiselle de Poniere and her aunt APP
peared on the other threshold.
Madame was dessed In black clothes
of old-fashioned but distinctive cut. A
wonderful black lace shawl dropped
from her shoulders. Her ears and
fingers blazed with gems. She leaned,
as she walked, upon an ivory-topped
stick, and her eyes had their usual
trick of wandering around the room
as though she saw no one Pauline's
wonderful figure seemed sheathed in a
black net gown, which fitted her with
almost magical perfection. Gerald
who had been on his way TO join his
sister and Christopher, paused at their
as though bent on challeng-
ing some recognition, however slight,
from the girl. In this, however, he
was disappointed. Without any APP
pearance of avoiding him, without
even turning her eyes away from his
she passed by as though in
complete Inconsistencies of his pres
ence, and followed her companion
through the other door. Gerald stood
for moment in silent fury after they
had left. The cigarette which he had |
been holding between his fingers |
slipped onto the carpet, crushed to
pieces. He set his heel upon 1t and
crossed the room. Lady Mary recog-
lized the sense Of disturbance in him
and welcomed him with the tactful
smile of one who has noticed nothing
unusual.
Tell me whether to play trente ct
or roulette tonight Gerald?p
she said. "Or shall 1 go and play
If only the people there
weren't SO alarmlng"
Gerald looked across at Christie
)her. He seemed as though he had
scarcely heard his sisters words.
did you see that?' he asked, in a
ow tone.
Christopher nodded
1.-THE girl is extraordinarily attrac-
i've" Mary observed "Shall really
re brave and call, Gerald? One
Doesn't do that sort of thing abroad,
ut she must be lonely. If they aren't
vhat they should be, 1t won't hurt
ne"
mo good, old DEAR" Gerald groaned.
I've suggested something of the sort
lready, but she only threw cold wa
er on the idea"
Lady Mary laughed softly.
after all,r she decided, "there is
humorous in the situation.
always look upon Gerald as being
he most woman-spoilt man I know.
iuite new experience for you, dear
mt it7 I can't think how you ever
rogressed so far as you have done"
II should cheer up, old fellow"
christopher advised "They won't
old out forever. You will probably
nd that tomorrow afternoon the
Dung lady will shyly invite you in to
eet her aunt"
'You don't know what you're talk S
g about" Gerald growled. "There {
i'd you see thatT @
Through the open doorway, Madame 7
: Ponlere and her younger compan- q
n were plainly visible, making their t
ay toward one of the roulette tables. U
hey had come face to face for a mo a
ent with a little Frenchman, who e
opped and bowed with every mark t
respect. Both of the women ac- r
lowledged his salutation graclously ].
= l. T.. I .,