Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-08-30
CHAPTER FOUR

~
was two in the morning when he
kissed her goodnight at her own front
door. She hadn't meant to let Pedro
kiss her. She tried to pretend that it
was Walter Mallory.
Next night, when Pedro had again
left town for few days, she was in
the st. Regis, dining with Tommy
This flesh wound almost healed now
when she saw Walter with beau
tifully gowned, statuesque blonde
That hurt Jean. Was this the girl
whose negligee was on his boat? They
left early, probably theater-bound.
Later, Tommy wanted to go on to
The Blue Owl. Jean demurred, but he
coaxed her: "Slumming's my dish to-
night"
Green, the proprietor, who admired
Jean, brought the new singer, Mad
emoiselle Gaby to their table. She
told them she had arrived in America
three weeks ago.
jean dShGu IlcI <1h0 why
did. you pick on this place." It was
uncomplimentary to Green, the Cook.
He was handsome, but too nervy. Star
ing at her so boldly that he deserved
to be snubbed.
"For a reason" the young singer
answered, smiling, but only with her
lips, not eyes. "You also, Miss Gar
rett, you have been in France, per-
haps?"
ooh yes. AS a matter of fact,"-
laughing-"I was there before l was
born! Isn't that quaint? My mother
was in Paris, but came home so that
would be born in America"
A look of strange interest, almost
of excitement, lit the young Gaby's
lovely features.
"Your father? Was he French 2"
The girl looked so strange, Jean
wondered if she were bit touched
in the head?
"No. A hundred-per-cent Ameri-
can doughboy, if that interests you."
"And your mother? She is alive?
Jean nodded. "She's abroad at this
moment"
A few days later, Treves the but
Ter tapped on the drawing room door
of the handsome house on Park Ave-
nue.. He told Jean there was foreign
young lady DESTROYS Of seeing her.
She would not give her name.
It was the girl from The Blue Owl.
"Forgive me, 1 found this in the
club" She produced small gold COM
pact. II think maybe it is yours 2"
1t was. The girl refused reward.
sShabbily dressed as she was, that
seemed odd. She stared about her.
!. Jean wondered uneasily if "The Cook"
had sent her to spy out the lay of
the land?
"These are beautiful white roses.
Perhaps from the young man they
wrote about in the newspapers, say
ing you often go with him to The
Blue Owl?"
"Tommy Alden? No. They came
from Pedro de Moraes, the singer"
"Ah! Pedro de Moraes?" A sharp
intake of breath.
"You know him." Jean asked,
watching her guest suspiciously.
st have met him in Paris. But
do not know him well, Miss Garrett"
"He's sailing at midnight for en-
fragments in Cuba, Jean said. "A
gang of us are going down to the
=, Saturnia to give him a swell send
q off,"
"You like him, Miss Garrett? in
sharp inquiry.
Jean was annoyed at the hint Of
disbursement in her voice. Also al
her inquisitiveness.
81 like him extremely. I think he:
a fine fellow. I'm crazy about him,
she added to put the other in hel
place.
"You will perhaps come with hin
tonight to The Blue Owl?"
Jean shook her head. She was t.
have a farewell rendezvous with Ped
70 at ten, but certainly wouldn'
mention that.
The girl craned her neck round, an
as she did so, her gaze fell upon
painting of Laurel on the wall. Sh
rose and went up to it.
"That's my mother" Jean told hel
sIsn't she pretty?"
No answer.
"What is the matter? Why, 70
look as if you were staring at
ghost!" Jean exclaimed.
That strange girl broke int