The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-09-09
CHAPTER vi
In Which There Is a Stormy
Supper Party at the Ritz

II WIS just ABOUT the time that
Ginger Martins wife became, all I'M
consciously, widow that the sitting
room bell of a certain private suite
in the Ritz was rung. The occu-
pants of the room were two in num-
ber-a man and woman-and they
had arrived only that morning from
the Continent. The man. whose sig
nature in the register announced him
TO be the Reverend Theodosius Long
moor-looked a splendid specimen Of
the right sort of clergyman. Tall,
broad-shouldered. with pair of
shrewd. kindly eyes and a great mass
of snow-white hair he was the type
of man who attracted attention where
he found himself. A faint twang in
his speech betrayed his nationality,
and. indeed, he made no secret of it.
He was an American. born and bred,
who had been seeing first hand for
himself some of the dreadful horrors
of the famine which was ravaging
Central Europe.
And with him had gone his daugh-
ter Janet-that faithful, constant
companion of his. who since her moth
er's death had never left him. She
was a good-looking girl. too-though
perhaps unkind people might have
said girlhoods happy days had reced-
ed somewhat into the past. Thirty.
perhaps-even thirty-five-though her
father always alluded to her as MY
little girl"
There was something very sweet and
touching about their relationship; his |
pride In her and her simple, loving |
alteration for dad Undoubtedly a
couple, had been the verdict
of their chance acquaintance - so
simple, so fresh. so unassuming In
these days of complexity and double
dealing.
After dinner, because his little Janet
was tired. the Reverend Theodosius
and his daughter remained in their
suite.
And for two hours until he got up
md rang the bell. the Reverend Theo-
iosius was engrossed in work; while
lis little Janet. lying on the sofa. dis
,layed considerably more leg than one
would have expected a wears daugh-
err even to possess. And occasional
-urgles of laughter seemed to prove
hat Guy de Maupassant appeals TO
more catholic audience than he
rouId have suSDected
She was knitting decorously when
he waiter came in, and her father
rdered little supper TO be sent up
"Some chicken, please. and little /,
ole gras. l am expecting FRIEND
ery soon-so lay for three. Some
hampa gne-yes. Perrier Jouet w
III do. I'm afraid don't know much
bout wine And little Vichy wafer
)r my daughter. 4
The waiter withdrew II
what time do you expect zadowa! II
anet asked. II
"ae should have been here by now
don't know why he's late II
did you see him this afternoon y
mo. | was down at the Office OUT
Nv for short while
The sound of voices outside the door
used Janet to resume her knitting
ID the next moment Count Aauowa
as announced For an appreciaoie III
no after the waiter had wlthdra"n W
stood staring at them: then "a
lille crossed his face "
"AIarnificent," he murmured. gu II,
rb Madame. | felicitate you. wen IL
Duph | know your powers, this time ca
II have excelled yourself. 4 nave rs
Q most wonderful news for you. ~
Theodosius bit the emo w
a cigar and stared at his visitor .e
tn eyes from which every trace OF Oh
,dliness had vanished. :.
IT'S about time you did have some no
I'D news. Zadowa." he snapped. ~
nvtbing more id disgracefui than
|. way you've let this so-caiieu =,
,ck Gang do you in. I've never -,
lrd Of"