Evening Star Newspaper, May 29, 1923, Page 10

5 (Copyright, by J. Aofeletelmlofefoie el (Continued from Yesterday's Star.) SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS INSTALLMENT. Jobn Waring, gentleman and scholar, has Just, won the Hotly contested election to_the presidency of Corinth College, a venerable New Fngland seat of learning. Before his inaug- uration, he plans to marry Emlily Bates, a armiig and cultured widow. With his life's ambition achieved and a rosy future assured, There {s vet an Instant’s hesitation before he newers in the afirmative her question: “'Are son_entirely happy ?” Tato this quiet Mrsters.” college town comes The passenger who was unlike the others stepped down from the car platform, and holding her small suit- case firmly, crossed the track and entered the station waiting room. She went to the ticket window, but found there no attendant. Impa- tiently she tapped her little foot on the old board floor, but no one ap- peared. Undecided as to her next move, she opened the station door just in time to see an old man with long white beard jump into his sleigh and be- 2in to tuclk fur robes about him. “He sprang to his sleigh—to his team gave a whistle—" she quoted to herself, and then cried out: “Hey, there, Santa Claus, give me a 1ift?” You engaged for our house?’ the man_called back., and as she shook her head, he gathered up his reins “Can’t take any one not engaged,” he called back. “Giddap!" “Wait—wait! I command you!" The sharp, clear young voice Tang ouf through the cold winter air, and Old Saltonstall Adams paused to listen “Ho, ho,” he chuckled, “you com- mand me, do you? Now, I heen commanded for something lik: fifty years.” Oh. don't L exclaimed, angri “Don’t you see I'm cold, hungry and very uncom- fortable? You have a boarding house —1 want board—now, you take me in. Do you hear?” Sure 1 hear. but. many rooms and cupied or engaged.” “Some are engaged, but as yet un- occupied?” The dark eves challenged Lim, and Adams mumbled—"Well, that's about it.” Very well, T will oceu the engager comes along.” The wind blew fierce stop to fuss,’ the girl miss, we've onl <0 they're all oc- ¢ one until 1t was little, and the ‘drifts sent| pugh the air. The coated with ice from a recent sleet storm, broke off crackling bits of ice as they passed. The girl looked wbout, at first curiously, and then timidly, as if frightened by what she saw. it was not a long ride, and they stopped before a large house, show- fng comfortably lighted windows and broad front door that swung open even as the girl was getting down from the sleigh. ‘or the land sake!” exclaimed a hrisk feminine voice, “this ain’t Let- t¥! Who in the earth have you got here ‘I don’t know.” Old Salt Adams re- plied, truthfully. “Take her along. mother. and give her a might's lodg- in clouds th But where is Letty? Didn’t she come?" (ow can’t vou see she didn’t come? To vou s'pose I left her at the st tion? Or dumped her out along the road? No—since you will have it, she didn’t come. She didn’t come! Old Salt drove on toward the barns, and Mrs, Adams bade the girl go into the house. The landlady followed. and as she saw the strange guest she gazed at her in frank curiosity. You want a room, T began. “But, I'm sorry haven't one vacant- ‘'Oh, Tl take Letty come, vou see, so I can room for tonight. “Letty wouldn't like that.” 'But 1 would. And I'm here and Lefty isn’t. Shall we go right up Picking up her small it case. the girl started and then stepped back for the woman to lead the way. Not quite so fast—if you please. What is your name? As the landlady’s tone changed to a sterner inflection, the girl likewise grew dignified. X “My name is Anita Austin” said, coldly. Where are you from?” New York city.” ‘What addre: Plaza Hotel By this time the strange dark eves had done their work. A steady glance from Anita Austin seemed to compel all the werld to do her bidding. At any rate, Mrs. Adams took the suit case, and without a further word con- ducted the stranger upstairs. he took her into an attractive bed- room, presumably made ready for the absent Letty. This will do.” Miss Austin said, calmly. “Will you send me up a tray of supper? T don't want much, and I prefer not to come down to dinner. “Land sake, dinner's over long ago. You want some tea, 'n’ bread. 'n’ but- ter, 'n’ preserves, ‘n’ cake? “Yes, thank you, that sounds good Send it in half an hour." To her guest Mrs. Adams showed merely a face of acquiescence. but once outside the door. and released from the spell of those cerie eye: ahe remairked to herself. “For the land sake!” with great emphasis. Well. what do you know about that!" Old Salt Adams cried, when, after she had started him on hig sup- per. his wife related the episode. “T can't make her out,” Mrs. Adams said, thoughtfully, “But I don't like her. And I won't keep her. Tomo row. vou take her over to Belton's. Just as you say. But I thought her kinda interesting looking. You can't say she isn't that. Maybe x0. to some folks. Not to me. And Letty'll come tomorrow, so that Rirl'll have to get out of the room. Meanwhile “that girl” was eagerly peering out of her window. She tried to discern which were the lights of the college buildings, but through the still lightly falling snow she could see but little. “Corinth.” she whispered. “Oh, Corinth, what do you hold for me? What fortune or misfortune will you bring me? What fortune or misfor- tune shall 1 bring to others? Oh, Justice, Justice, what crimes are committed in thy name!” Miss Mystery Baffles Speculation. she we s'pose.” to say She didn't take her she The next morning Anita appeared in the dining room at the breakfast hour. Mrs.. Adams scanned her sharply, and looked a little disapprovingly at the short, scant skirt and slim, silken legs of her new boarder. Anita, her dark evey scanning her hostess with equal sharpness, seemed to express an equal disapproval of the country-cut gingham and huge white apron. Not at all obtuse, Mrs. Adams =ensed this, and her tone was a little more deferential than she had at first intended to make it. “Will you sit here. please, Miss Austin?’ she indicated a chair next herself, “No, thank you. -T'll sit by my friend.” and the girl slipped into a vacant chair next Saltonstall' Adams. Old Salt gave a furtive glance at his wife, and suppressed a chuckle at her surprise. * “This is Mr. Tyler's place,” he said to the usurper, “but I expect he'll let you have it this once.” “I mean to have it all the time,” and Anjta nodded gravely at her host, “‘All the time is this one meal only,” crisply_put in Mrs. Adams. “I'm Miss Austin, but we can't keep re. I have no vacant room.” entrance of some other people gave Anita a chance to speak In an ‘undertone to Mr, Adams, and she sai “You'll let me stay till Letty comes, won't you? I suppose you are boss in Yyour own house. As a matter of fact, almost any etter than “boss in his own house™ Ehr“. ‘would have described the man X THE MYSTERY GIRL A Thrilling Detective Story BY CAROLYN WELLS. haven't | B. Lippinoott Co.) %1 but the idea tickled his sense of irony, and he chuckled as he replied, “You bet I am! Here you stay—as long as You want to.” “You're my friend, then?’ and an appealing glance was shot at him be- neath long, curling lashes, that proved the complete undoing of Saltonstall Adams. “To the death!” he whispered, mock dramatic manner. Anita gave a shiver to put it she cried. torever, sir” “Doubtless, vlacidly | you? That isn't a very pretty way of expressing it. but 1 suppose 1 am." and a mutinous look passed over the strange little face. In repose, the face was oval, serene, and regular of feature. But when the girl smiled or spoke or frowned, changes took place, and the mobile countenance grew soft with laughter or hard with scorn and scorn was plainly visible when. a moment later, Adams introduced Robert Tyler, a fellow boarder, to Miss Austin. She gave him first a conventional | glance, then, as he dropped into the | chair next to hers, and said, “Onl {too glad to give up any place to a ! peach,” she turned on him a flashing glance, that, as he expressed it after- ward, “wiped him off the face of the | | earth. Nor could he | her good grace: ! attitude, bravado, in “What a way “1 mean to live old ou're Salt, returned, freak—aren't reinstate himself in He tried a penitent jocularity and in- difference, but one and all failed to engage her interest or even attention. She answered his remarks with calm. curt speeches that left him baffled and uncertain whether he wanted to } bow down and worship her, or wring | her neck. | 01d Salt Adams took this all in, his amusement giving ay to curiosity and then to_wonder. Who was this person, who looked like a young, very | young ' girl, vet who had all the ;mental powers of an experienced { woman? What was she and what her calling? The other borders appeared. those | nearest Anita were introduced. and {most of them considered her merel: ja pretty, new guest. Her manner: | were irreproachable, her demeanor | qulet and graceful. vet as Adams covertly watched her, he felt as if he ! ! were watching an inactive volcano. | The meal over. he detained her a | moment in the dining room | “Why are you here, Miss Austin?" | he said courteously; “what is your | errand in Corinth { “I am an artist.” she said |at him with her mysterious intent {gaze. “Or perhaps I should say an art student. I've been told that ther are beautiful bits of winter scener: available for subjects here, and want to sketch. Please. Mr. Adams let me Stay here until Letty comes A sudden twinkle in he: the old man, and he quickly “How do you know she isn't coming ™" That, in turn, surprised Anita, but she only smiled. and replied, “T saw a telegram handed to Mrs. Adams at breakfast—and then she looked thoughtfully at me. and—oh, well, 1 just sort of knew it was to say Letty | couldn't come.” ou witch! You "f 1 should take you they'd burn you 11 ride over on a broomstick some | day and see if they will,” she re- | | turned gleefully. And then along came Nemesis, the person of the landlady. “I'm sorry, Miss Austin,” she began, | but the girl interrupted her. i “Please. Mrs. Adams,” she said.| pleadingly. “don’t sa anything to, make me sorr too! ow, you want to say you haven't any room for me ——but that isn't true; so vou don't know what to say to get rid of me But—why do you want to get rid of me? Esther Adams looked at the girl and that look was her undoing. Such a pathetic face, such pleading eves, such a wistful curved mouth, the 'landlady couldn’t resist, and against her will, against her better judgment, she said, “Well, then, st you poor little thing. But you must tell me more about yourself. I don’t know who you are. T don’t know, looking uncanny thing! over to Salem in elf,” the strange girl returned. “Do we, any of us, know who we are? We go through this world, strangers to each other— fdon't we? And also, strangers to ourselves.” Her eves took on a far- away, mystical look. “If I find out| who I am T'll let you know." { Then a dazzling smile broke over | her face, they heard a musical ripple of laughter and she was gone. They heard her steps as she ran up- { stairs to her room. and the two Adamses looked at each other. “Daffy,” said Mrs. Adams. “A little | touched. poor child. I believe she has run away_from home or from her keepers. = We'll hear the truth soon They'll be looking for her.” “Perhaps,” said her husband, doubt- fully. “But that isn’t the way I size her up. She's nobody’s fool. that girl. Wish you'd seen her give Bob Tyler his_comeuppance!” “What'd she say?" “"Twasn't what she as the look she gave him! He almost went through the floor. Well, she says she's a_painter of scenery and landscapes. Let her stay a few days, till 1 size her up.” | You e her up!” returned his wife, with good-natured contempt. “If she smiles on you or gives you {bit of tafty-talk. Youll size her up for an angel! I'm not so sure she isn't quite the opposite Meanwhile the subject discussion_was arraying herself for a walk. Equipped with storm boots and_fur coat, she set out to inspect Corinth. ~ A jaunty fur cap, with one long, red quill feather, gave her still more the appearance of an elf or gnome, and many of the Adams house boarders watched the little figure as she set forth to brave the icy streets. Apparently she had no fixed plan of procedure, for at each corner she lookad about and chose her course at random. The snow had ceased dur- { ing the night, and it was v cold, with a clear sunshiny frositness in the air that made the olive cheeks red and glowing. . Reaching a bridge, she paused and stood looking over the slight railing into the frozen ravine below. Long she stood, until passers-by be- gan to stare at her. She was uaware of this, absorbed in her thoughts and oblivious of all about her. Pinckney Payne, coming along,’saw her, and, as he would have expressed it, fell for her at once. Don't do it, sister!” he said paus- ing beside hér. “Don’t end your young life on this glorious day! Sui- cide is a mess at best. Take my ad- vice and cut it out! She turned, ready to freeze him with @ glance more icy even than the landscape, but his frank, rogulsh| smile disarmed her. “Freshman?" she said, patronizingly, but it didn’t abash him. Yep. Pinckey Payn said, so much of their fail. Millions will testify that there is nothing so for bil- THE. EVENING. STAR, WAS know. Commonly 1 don't wonder, called Pinky.” and she noticed his red cheeks. ‘Well, now that vou're properly introduced. tell me some of the buildings. What's that one? *Dormitories. that,” s the church Really! And that beautiful colon- nade one?" That’s Doctor Waring’s home, Him as is going to be next Prexy.” “And that? And that? He raplied to all her questions, and kept his eyes fastened on her be- witching face. Never had Pinky seen a birl just like this, She looked so young. so merry, and yet her rest- less, roving eyes seemed full of hid- dn fire and tempestuous excitement. 'Where you from?” he sald abrupt- Where you staying?’ At Mrs. Adams',” she returned. “Is it a good house? “Best in town. Always full And pointing, Awtul hard to get up. Relative of No. just a boarder. a Toom som puldn’t use.’ You're luck 4 “You don’t like him! I Met Gordon Lockwood?" No, who's he?" He's Doctor Waring’s secretary, but he's mighty worthwhile on his own ac- count. T say, may I come to see you?” “Thank you, no. I'm not receiving callers—yet ‘Well,” you will be soon—because I'm coming. 1 say my aunt Mves next door to Adams’. May I bring her_to call on yoyu? et, please. I'm not settled.” you say the word, then. My aunt is Mrs. es, and she's a love. She's going to marry Doctor Waring see we're the right sort of T chanced to one else engaged Met Bob Tyler see that. There are no right sort of people,” aid the girl, and, turning, she walked | away Apparently Miss Austin's statement that there were no right sort of people was her own belief, for she made no friends at the Adams house. Nor was that the fault of her fellow boarders. They were more than willing to be friendly. but their overtures were in- variably ignored. Not rudely, fo to be a girl of culture and her man- ners were correct, but, as one per- stent matron expressed it. ‘“you can’t get anywhere with her. She was a mystery—and mysteries provoke inqui The house was not a large one, and the two-score boarders, though they would have denied imputation of curiosity, were exceedingly interested in learning the facts about Miss Mys- as they had coma to call her. Adams was one of the most to learn the truth, but, as he did on rare occasions, Old Salt' Adams had set down his foot that the girl vas not to be annoyeg. And let alone she was—not so much because of Adams’ dictum as because “pestering” did little good. The girl had a disconcerting w looking an inquisitor straight in the ves. and then, with a monosvllabic v. turning and walking off as if the other did not exist “Why." said Miss Bascom grievedly relating her experience. just said, politely: ‘Are you from > York or ‘where, Miss Austin? and turned those big. black eves on me, and said: ‘Where’ Then she turned her back and looked out of the win- dow, as if she had wiped me off the face of the earth." “She’s too young to act like that,” opined Mrs. Welby. “Oh, she isn't s Miss ‘Bascom experienced to he so very “How do you know she's experi- enced? What makes you say that? “Why,” Miss Bascom hesitated for words, “she’s—sort of sophisticated— you can see that from her looks. T mean when anvthing is discussed at the table she doesn’t say a word. but you can tell from her face that she knows all about it—I mean a matter of general interest, don’t vou know. 1 don’t mean local matters.” “She’s an intelligent girl, T know, but that doesn’t make her out old. I don't believe she's twenty." “Oh, she W she’s twenty- five or twenty-seven “Never in the world! ask_her. “Ask her!" Miss Bascom laughed “You'M get well snubbed if you do." But this prophecy only Served to egg Mrs. Welby on, and she took the first occasion to carry out her prom- ise She met - 1 eow she terribly young. returned. “She’s too oung." I'm going to Anita in the hall, as the girl was about to go out, and smil- ingly_detained her. “Why so aloof, my dear?” playfully. “You rarely chance to entertain you. As Mrs. Welby was between Anita and the door. the girl was forced to pause. She looked the older woman over with an appraising glance that wa&lnol rude, but merely disinter- ested “No0?" she sald. with a _curious ris- ing reflection. that somehow seemed to_close the ‘incident But Mrs. Welby was not so easily fMed. “No,” she repeated, smilingly she said glve us a b “And Miss Austin seemed | or | we want to know you better. too young and too pretty not to be a general favorite among_us. How old are you, my dear child?” “Just a hundred,” and Miss Au tin's dark eyes were so grave, and seemed to hold such a world of wia- dom and experience that Mrs. Welby almost jumped. Too amazed to reply, she even let the girl get past her, and out of the street door, before she recovered her poise. he's uncanny.” Mrs. Welby de- clared, when teliing Miss Bascom of the interview. “I give you my word. when she sald that, she looked a hundred!" ‘Looked a hundred! What do you mean?” Just that. Her eyes seemed to hold all there is of knowledge, yes— and of evil “Evil! My goodness!” Miss Bas- com rolled this suggestion llke a sweet morsel_under her tongue. “Oh—I_don't say there's anything wrong about the girl . Well? 1If her eyves showed depths of evil, I should say there was some- thing wrong!” The episode was repeated from one to another of the exclusive clientele of the Adams house, until. by exag-! geration and imagination, it grew in- | to quite a respectable arraignment of | Mies Mystery, and branded her as a doubtful character, if not a dangerous | one. The Adamses. between themselves, decided that Miss Austin was more deeply mysterious than was shown by her disinclination to make friends. Thy concluded she was transacting important business of some sort, and that her sketching of the winter scenery, which she did every clear sky, was merely a blind. Though Mrs. Adams resented this, and urged her husband to send the girl packing. Old Salt demurre: She’s_done no harm as yvet” he sald. “She's a_mystery, but wrong one, so far's I can make out. | Let her alone, mother. | eve on her.' an. Why, rdly sleep at I can see more'n you Salt, that girl don’t h all. Night after night, she sits up looking out of the window, over to- ward the college buildings— How do_vou know?” I go and listen at her door,” Mrs Adams admitted, without embarrass- ment. I want to know what she's up to." “You can't see her. “No, but I hear her moving around restlessly, and putting the window up and down—and Miss Bascom—her room's_cornerways on the ell, she says she sees her looking out the window late at night 'most every night.” Miss Bascom's a meddling old maid, and I'd put her out of this house before I would the little girl.” Of course you would! You're all set up because she makes so much of ou—- YOlon, come now, Esther. you can't say that child makes much of me! 1 wish she would. I've taken a fan to_her.” |2 xen gipsy, because she's witchlike fashion. pretty—in a What men [ t Colgate’s “washes” i and polishes —does notscratch or scour. wot & | I've got m)’} “Fve got my two eyes on her, and HINGTON You're ‘ ,--D...C., TUESDAY, MAY 29, 1923 see in a pair of big black eyes and a dark, sallow face, I don’t know. “Not sallow,” Old Salt sald, reflect- fully; “olive, rather—but not sallow.’ “Oh, you!" exclaimed Mrs. Adams, and with that cryptic remark the sub- ject was dropped. Gordon Lockwood, secretary of John | Waring, had a room at the Adams house. But as he took no meals there save his breakfasts, and as he ate those early, he had not yet met Anita Austin. But one Saturday morning he chanced to be late and the two sat at table together. An astute reader of humanity, Lockwood at once became interested in the girl and realized that to win her attention he must not be eager or_insistent. He spoke only one or two of the merest commonplaces, until almost at the close of the meal he sald: “Can 1 do anything for you, Miss Austin? If you would care to hear any of the college lectures I can ar- range {t. “Who are the speakers?” She turned her eyes fully upon him, and Gordon Lockwood marveled at their depth and beauty. “Tonight,” he replied, “Dr. Waring ture on Egyptian archeology. interested in that? she said, “‘very Td like to go.” “You certainly may, use this card.” much so. then. Just like it. years.’ grocer or druggist. Millis, Ma overned —by On BUT one ideal ideal of quality. If you are ~— Simply — Let Esskay Be e Ideal erns the manu- facture of Esskay products—the And this ideal is strictly followed out in every product sold under the Esskay label, as a trial will pleasantly confirm. ided by the same idea of i when lhoppsu‘:"g for l}:'lutl, your choice E“:Ihe:yt Your Guarantee iy REO. U mArTENT OFmICE Foods of Unmatched Quality He took a card from his pocket, scribbled a line across it and gave it to her. Without another word he finished his breakfast, and with a mere courteous bow he left the room. Miss Austin's face took on a more scrutable look than ever. The card still in her hand, she went up to her room. Unheeding the mald, who was at her duties there, the giri threw herself into a big chalr and sat staring at the card. “The Egyptlan Temples,” she said to_herself, “Dr. John Waring.” The maid looked at her curfously | as she murmured the words half | aloud, but Miss Austin paid no heed. “Go on “with your work, Nor don’t mind me,” she said at last, a; the chambermaid paused inquiringly in front of her. “I don’t mind your being here until you finish what you have to do. And I wish you'd bring me a Corinth paper, please. There is one, isn't there? “Oh, ves, ma’am. Twice a week.” | ora disappeared and returned with a paper. ‘Mr. Adams says you may have to keep. It's the newest one.” The girl took it and turned to the college announcements. The | “gyptian lecture was mentioned and | in another column was a short article | this | | find | regarding Dr. Waring and a picture of him. | Long the girl looked at the pictur: Here it comes! WHAT a welcome the smiling Eskimo kid and his happy drink always get from the crowd! Whenever people are thirsty, somebody calls for Clicquot Club. It’s popular with just about everybody —old or young or in between, men and women and kids. Itstingling tasteis what they like, and its fresh, ginger-laden fra- grance and bright golden look. It’s such a satisfying drink—of course they all And Clicquot Club is pure. The water for it rises cold and clear from deep springs, the Jamaica ginger is the best grown, the fruit flavors and cane sugar are the finest to be had. All these good things blend into the de- lightful ginger ale that has made the name “Clicquot Club” famous for thirty-eight The Eskimo kid sponsors other Clicquot Club drinks, too, all made in his clean sunlit home at Millis—Sarsaparilla, Root Beer, and Birch Beer. them all by the case from your Order THE CLICQUOT CLUB COMPANY u. S.A. Ginger Ale Sarsaparilla Root Beer Birch Beer and when the mald, her tasks com- the president-elect of the University pleted, left the room, she noticed Miss | of Corinth. Austin still staring at the fine face of ADVERTISEMENT. (Continued in Tomorrow's Star.) ADVERTISEMENT. Every Minute Counts in the fight against constipation! Once let constipation get a grip on you, and your system is wide open to 90% of human allments. Statistics show that to be the proportion of fliness that has constipation for a starting point. Pills and cathartic are as dangerous to the system as constipation! 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