The Glenwood post., 1924-08-28

ing club, the Mecca of Gerald's de-
sires for the evening, at. any rate.
Christopher breathed little more
freely here than in the casino; the
atmosphere was less pernicious, the
crowd by which he was surrounded
far more attractive. After Gerald had
taken seat at the baccarat table, he
wandered around for some time, fasci-
mated by this strange, Cosmopolitan
gathering, their diversity in class,
manners and dress, Presently he
found a seat in the little bar, ordered
q whisky and soda and leaned back to
watch the neverceasing stream OF
pleasure seeking loiterers. Suddenly,
without any warning, his thoughts
played him queer trick. He was back
on the cool, sunlit hillside, with the
odor of the violets and the pines in
his nostrils, and the girl looking over
the gate. She turned her head and
he saw her face-her beautiful eyes,
with their passionate, terrified appeal
her Quivering lips, her child's figure;
the tender appeal Of her, the soul and
sweetness of her Innocent youth cling
ing like some fresh, sweet perfume
to her trembling body.
Gerald stood suddenly before him,
his face aflame his eyes brilliant His
voice quivered slightly with subdued
excitement.
christopher, you moonstruck old
dodderer," he cried, wake upl I
have seen the most wonderful crea-
ture on earth. / won't leave this place
until find out who she is.'
What, another adventure?" Chris
topher exclaimed. you're not think
ing about Myrtile?"
"That child7 Mol" was the impa-
tient rejoinder. II tell you it's some
one here tonight She's either French
or Russian or Italian-I can't make
up my mind which. She is with an
older woman, who seems to be a sort
Of attendant. Every ones talking
about here but no one seems to know
who she is" swat till you see herl
I'm not easily led away. I've seen
the most beautiful women in most Of
the capitals of the world. I was at
Vienna and Rome before the war,
you know, but / never Don't move,
Chris. Don't look as though I've been
talking about them. Here they comeW
Christopher watched the approach
of the two women with an interest
casual at first but real enough as
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 80 soft as to become al
most voluptuous. She wore a dress
Of perfectly plain black lace, against
which the skin of her neck and shoul-
ders seemed Of almost alabaster white
ness Her only ornament was long,
double string Of pearls Of unusual
size. Her hair glossy and absolutely
Jet black, was brushed from her fore
head and around her ears SO that
1t seemed almost like a sheath. Her
complexion was absolutely pallid, her
lips a natural scarlet Her eyes were
Of a 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 a conviction Of entire
naturalness. Such details as re-
manned of her toilette were unique
yet simple The woman who followed
her possessed also an air of distlnc-
tion, but she was middle-aged, with
gray hair and somewhat unwieldy
figure. She carried herself with an
air of Difference toward her COM
panion.
"Well?" Gerald whispered excited
ly.
"She is very beautiful and very un-
usual,~ Christopher admitted. "Have
you no idea who she is?"
''If i had found any one who knew
who they were, I 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 9
couch. The elder one gave an order
to a waiter, the younger one glanced
indifferently around.
"I wish Carruthers would come,
Gerald muttered impatiently. "I didn'
exaggerate, did I, Christ"
NO" the latter admitted, II cam
say that you did. She Is very wonder
ful and yery interesting. 1t Ii quite
your day for adventures"
Gerald laughed scornfully.
You're not comparing our 'littl,
protege from the hills with-with hef
are your he demanded.
-racn mas her charm" Christopher
replied. 3 n.
Gerald leaned back In his chair anc
laughed long and heartily.
"Our little wild rose." he said. III
like a thousand others-a pretty face
4 fancfnatfnR age COnfidinG mannerH