Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-01-15
The Mystery Road


-what are yOu two conspirins
about9" he inquired.
Il have been saying good-by to your
sister," Christopher replied.
| Gerald passed bis arm around her
afEeetlonately.
I'VE shall miss you. dear" be saia
Il think / am really rather sorry %
CO. Mary confessed. Father Is Ret-
ing quite restless. though. He never
cares 20 stay 10 one place too lOnsI-
Gerald glanced az his watch.
Il must be Oh. he announced. I've
a few OF my frivolous friends coming
Ia 10 supper after the opera. Are
you coming. Christopherf"
Il don't think so. II you don't mind
Gerald" was the apologize reply.
For some unaccounfable reason. Ger
aid felt relieved. He took hls leave
u his father and sister. started up
his car. and drove through the scented
darkness back TO the hotel. All the
time he was conscious OF q little
/ CULVER OF excitement FOR which he
could not account. The villa vl0
lette. at which he gazed as he turned
out OF the avenue was dark end
empty. He thought OF Pauline and
sighed The ghost In the empty seas
by his side faded away. he was eof
single moment man. angry with
himself. bitterly regretful.
Il was a cad 70 kiss her like that
he muttered ''All the same, 4 child
has no right to such lips"
Gerald was met In the hall OF Fhs
hotel by Charles. the maltre d'hotel 70
whom he had left the arrangements
for his supper party
IF MILFORD viii be 80 kind as 20
ascend with me-" the latter suggested.
Il can show him the preparations ]
have made"
9 Gerald nodded and assembled TO the
first door.
"This Is the most convenient quite
for MILFORD" Charles explained, ,he-
cause the door at the ieft-hand there
communicates with mIlord's own suite
of apartments, where bis friends. Il
they like. can leave their hats and
coats I shall serve the supper nay
self Everything will be as csn-
manded The supper table can be
moved into a corner Ct the room at
any time desired--as soon, In fact. as
MILFORD cares to start dancing"
Gerald nodded and dismissed the
man He stood for a moment in the
center OF the waxed floor. his hands
behind him and freshly III cigarette |
between his lips. The sight OF these
preparations for the nights festivities
had left him curiously unmoved. He |
could picture the whole affalr--a 1T !
tie cosmopolitan crowd OF glgglIng.
shriekInR girls. half French. hair RuA-
sian. with q dash, here and there. of
the Egyptian and the italian. Nadine.
with her pale cheeks. her eyes half /
green, half yellow. like the eyes OF q
cat her alIurlng smile. Then there
we're Chlotilde and Phrynette. PART
SLAMS to the rosy tips OF their fingers,
blatant IN their desires. frank and I'M
ashamed Of the silken net they trolied.
II was. after all, a dull game to play.
The fnesse OF refusal had never
seemed SO flat. the tgnomIny OF con-
sent SO repulsive He thought OF Paul
inc. cold az the SHOWS proud and In
different, yet with the charm Of hid
den things in her clear eyes and
delicate aloofness Her indifference
had hurt-how much he realized when
he thought Of the coming evening. And
then. like fash, his mood changed.
There was the other type, as beautiful
Ia It's way, az serene. as wonderful In
Its strange. virginia. passion the lips
that had chung 70 his with the frank
offer OF supreme, unselfish love.
He turned away. and. crossing the
room. opened the door leading into his
own suite. A wondrous-an amazing
vision confronted him. For q mo-
ment he was aghasf. MYRTLE, trans
formed as though by the wand OF an
artist, her gown. simple and unadorned,
OF all the grace OF her girl
hood yet exquIsitely suggestive OF the
woman 70 COME MYRTLE. her hair
dropped low on either side " her oval
face, robed lilly. unspoilf and I'M
Earnlshed by the cunning fingers which
had produced veritable triumph. Her
bosom was rising and failing quickly.
her lips were parted Then she began /
o laugh softly. Everything was right /
With the world 0erald's look Of trans /
liked admiration told her all that she I
needed 20 know. /
-wiTi dot" MYRTLE asked demureIy. \
You are wonderful e Gerald ex 4
.lafmed eBut-whaf does Il meanz s
4 have come 70 your party" MYRTLE :
Innounced -and even Monsieur Chris :
ophef shall not send me away. :
vent to Madame Lenore. She dressed .
ne and she had my hair arranged. II I
vas 20 droIl. When looked IN the 4
lass scarcely knew myself Ton are /
'leased9r q
Il am more than pleased" Gerald an (
wered. taking her hand. But about 4
HIS party. am not sure"
ssYou don't want me r she whispered :
GRO BIZ coNTTNUED.1