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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 1909)
' THE HOOD RIVER NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8. 1909 E The Lure of the Mask By HAROLD MAC CRATH Copyrijht, I90S. by tha Babba Merrill Ca. (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK) CHAPTER VII. TUB TOSS OF A COIN. hTILLAItl) mad Inexcusably i careh-Hit shot. He grounded bU cue and stood back from tbe A tablf. Tbat woa the way ev erything Htt'int'd to go at tennis, at uuu, at leiK'liiii. at billiards. It waa all tbe name. "I suy, Jack. wliut'8 tbe matter wltb you any bow?" uked Merrlbew, out of patience. "It was bad," Hlllanl agreed. 'Ter baps I aui not taking tbe Interest In tbe game that I formerly took." "And when I make a proposition," pursued Merrlbew, "to ride to tbe Cat skills and back, something you would bare Jumped at a year ago, you shake your bead. Think of It! ISy George, you bad a bully time last year! You swore It was tbe best trip we ever took on the horses. Where's your spirit of adventure?" "I'm sure ) don't know where It Is. fhall we finish the game?" "Not If you're going to throw It like this," dec lured Merrlbew. "Ten and a string against your half a string," said Millard, studying the score. "I'll bet a bottle that I beat you." "Done!" said Merrlbew. Being on bis mettle, he made a clean score of twenty, five to go. "I can see you pay ing for that check. Jn k." But the odds tingled Millard's blood. He settled down to a brilliant play and turned sixty-one In beautiful form. Later tbe two passed upstairs to the secluded alcove. Merrlbew filled tbe glusses with the nlr of one who would like to pass the remainder of bis days doing the same thing not that be waa overfoml. but each bottle temporarily weeded out that crop of Imperishable debts. To hitii tho world grew roseate and kindly viewed throueh tbe press of the sparkling graiw. nnd Invariably be saw fortune beckoning to tbe card tables. "Now, then. Jai k. I've got you where I want you. Who Is she?' "On my word. I don't know." "Then there Is a woman!" cried Mer rlbew. ' I knew It. Nothing else would to demoralize voti. Prink a health to her." Mlllurd raised bis glass nnd touched that of bis comrade. Tor tbe peace of bis mind be determined to tell Merrl bew the whole adventure. "To the lady In the fog!" he said. "Fog?" blankly. "Well, the lady In the mak." NURSERY STOCK For biff, well matured apple tree. standing from 5 to 7 feet in row. Newtona and Spits, call or write S. W. HCPPNCR Two Milea Weat of Town Open River Transportation Co r Sr..... J. N. TEAL Operated to protect thme living- along the Kiver O. C. Isan. (ieneral Ag-ent 't;t. 8. Tkikber. Duck Agent Oregon Shopj line amd Union Pacific TinEi TABLE Effective Sunday, Sept. I i, trains will arrive and depart at Hood Kiver, Oregon, on the following schedule: west bound No. 5. Orwm aV Washington Limited 6:50 A. M. No. . Portland F.xprena 6:00 " No. 3. Son-Spokane-Portland 6:46 No. 11. Pacific Kprea P. M. No. T. Portland Special 6:45 " Train Nix 11 make all atopa between Hood Rirer and Portland. Train No. will atop only at Wyeth. Cancada Locka. Bonneville, Bridal Veil, Troutdale, Fair view, Columbia Iteach, latourelle anl'.orbctta. Traina Nik S. No. 6 and No. 7 will make no atopa between Hood River and Portland. LAST BOUND No. 12. Atlantic Eiprcaa 10:2 A. M. No. . Chicago Special 11:68 No. 6. Oregon A Washington Limited KM P. M. No. i. Soo-Spokane-Portland .O0 No. 10. Salt Uke Fjpreaa 10:25 " Na 12 atopa at all atationa eaat of Hood River, No. 10 atopa at Moaier, Tha Pallea, Ohio. I)ea. ehutoa. Rufua, Arlington, Umatilla, Hermiaton, 8tanfleld, Echo and other way atationa. No. ( and No. ft atop only at Tha Dallm, Umatil la, Pendleton, Gibbon, l.a'Jranda and Baker City. No. I will only handle paaarngera for Nampa, Idaho, and pointa eaat thereof. Paaaengera for local pointa east of Hood River muat Uke train No. 12 or train No. 10 to pointa at whiah they atop. J. M. FRIIDRICY, Agent. "Fog, mask? Two of tbetur" "So, only one. Once I met ber In tbe fog, and then 1 met her In tbe mask." "I'll drink to ber, but I'm banged If I dou't believe you're coddling Die," aid Merrlbew dlsapiMilutedly. "This la New York." "Tbe wbole story. Jack, details and all; uo half portions." Mllliiril told tbe yarn simply, omit ting nothing essential. He even added tbat for three weeks be had been tbe author of. the personal Inquiry aa to tbe whereabouts of one Mine. Augot. "1 don't know, Dan. but this baa taken so strong a bold on me that I han't forget It soon. Imagine It your self. Oh, but she could slug! I am a man not to be held lu tbe leash of an adventure like this, but she held me. How? By tbe hope tbat one day I might see ber face with no veil of mystery to bold ber off at arm's length." Merrlbew was greatly excited. He was for ordering a second bottle, but Millard stayed hi in. "By (Jeorge! And you are sure that It was at the Sand fords' ?" "I am positive. But there Is a puzzle tbat I have failed to solve Sundford's cable and tbe caretaker's declaration. I know that I wits In that bouse. The patrolman says tbat be has seen no light In the house since the family sailed for Africa. It Is no dream, but it begins to look as If I were tbe vic tim of some tine hoax." "It Is more than a hoax. In my opin ion. Walt till Sand ford returns and fi lids bis silver gone." Hlllard fctarted. "And his gold plate." continued Mer rlbew, pleased wltb tbe Idea. "My boy, that's what It la tbe best dodge I ever beard of. It will make a good story for the Sunday papers. You won't be In it unless she ropes you In as an accomplic e." "I'm a romantic ass!" Hlllard sighed. Leddy Light finger! If this turned out to be tbe case be would never trust a human being again. "Let's take that ride on the horses," Merrlbew ursed. "That'll clear your brain of this sentimental fog." "No!" Hlllard struck his hands to gether. 'I've a better Idea than that. I shall go to Italy, and you shall go with me." "Impossible. Why, I'm all but broke." "I'll take you as a companion. I'm n sick man. Dan. I'm likely to Jump overboard If some one Isn't watching me every minute." "I'd liUe to go. Jack. Heaven nnd earth, but I should! But I can't possi bly go to Italy with a letter of credit no more than twenty-five hundred, and that's all there is In the exchequer at present." "Between such friends as we are" "That racket won't work. I could not take a moment's peace If I did not feel Independent." "But I'm not going to give It to you." Hlllard protested. "I am going to lend It to you " "And could I ever pay you back If I accepted the loan?" humorously. "There's Monte Carlo. You might pull down a tidy sum," said the tempt er. "That's tho way, yu beggar. Hit me on tbe soft side." But Merrlbew was still obdurate. "Now, listen to reason, Pan. If you wait for the opportunity to go to Eu rope you'll wait in vain. You must make the opportunity. One must have youth to enjoy Italy thoroughly. The desire to go becomes less and less as one prows older. Besides, It completes every man's education. I'll put tho A tear ran rnm hi cheek to hit chin. proposition In n way you can't possibly get round. You will always have tbat thousand, so don't worry about that. You have twenty-five hundred on hand, you say. With that you can see Italy like a prince for three months." 'What's the proposition!" Merrlhew drained the bottle. "This I'll agree to take not a penny more than twenty-five hundred my self. We'll go on equal terms. Why," confidently, "besides living like a prince you'll have four hundred to throw away at roulette. Boy, you have never seen Italy; therefore you do not know what leauty Is. When we eventually land at Bellaglo, on Lake Como, and I take your lily white band In mine nnd lead you up to tbe terrace of Villa Serbellonl nnd or der ten, then you will realize that you have only begun to live-gardens, tow ering Alps, tbe green Lecco on ono side nnd the green Como on tho other and Swl.n champagne at $1.40 the quart! Kb? "And then," Hlllard added, "tbere'a Kitty Kllllgrew Pinging ber heart out to a people who can't understand a) word she'a hinging." "I'nn It be done fur twenty-five hun dred ?" Merrlbew dewed bis cigar wltb sub dued fierceness. Me knew very well that be was destined to go to Europe. Kitty Kllllgrew, who bud promised to mall tbe route they were to play and hadn't: "It Is written, ."an, that you shall go with me." "We'll settle this argument right here now." Merrlbew drew out a coin. "Cull It," be cried recklessly. "Heads!" The coin flickered In the light, fell and proved tbat all money la perverse by rolling under tbe davenport upon which tbey were sitting. An amusing bunt followed. Tbey ran their bands over the floor, turned the rug, pulled out tbe davenport and looked behind, burned Innumerable matches and final ly rang for tbe attendant. Tbe situa tion was explained, and he procured a candle. He was ultimately successful. "Here It is, sir." "What Is it. head or tall?" asked Merrlhew weakly. "Head, sir," said tbe attendant "Keep It," so Id Merrlhew generous ly, even sadly. He never got up a game of chance that be did not get tbe worst of it. And now, Italy! All that way from home! "Boy, bring up a bot tle of '0(S." "And the lady in the musk?" asked Merrlhew as they at length stood up. "I must relegate ber to the fog she came out of. But It would be a fright ful thing lf-ir He hesitated to form the words. But Merrlhew bad no such scrapie. "If tbe silver nnd plate were missing when the Sandfords return?" "Ob. bosh! It's all some joke, and I'm tbe butt of It. She was In that house by tbe same authority she rode the horse." "A woman of tbat sort would have no difficulty in hoodwinking tbe stable men," declared Merrlbew. "By tbe way," be continued, "receiv ed a postal from Kitty this morning from Gibraltar. Fine trip. Visited the gun galleries and the antique furniture shops. Says no sign of prima donna as yet, but believes her to be on board. O'Mally's on the water wagon. But Kitty aggravates me." "What has she done now, refused you by marconlgraph?" 'No, but she promised me ber ad dress." "Address ber care Cook's, Florence, Rome, Venice. It's the popular mail box of Europe, nnd If she has given them the address they will forward." "That helps considerably. I'm glad there's one Cook which can be relied on." "In the morning I'll arrange for pas sage. We'll try the Celtic." 'I'll leave the business end of the trip to you." 'The first Saturday in March, then. If we can get book bag. That will be In less than two weeks." In tbe lobby of tbe club as they were about to enter tbe coat room Hll lard ran Into one of several gentlemen Issuing. 'Tardon me." be said, stepping aside. "Non Importa!' said the stranger, with a graceful wave of the bands. Hlllard looked quickly into tbe gen tleman's face. "I am clumsy," he said In Italian. Then the other stared at him and j smiled. For n moment there was a J brief tableau. In which each took tho other's measure and noted the color of the eye. Tbe man was an exceedingly handsome Italian, for all that a scar ran from bis cheek to his chin. It was all over In n moment, and Hlllard and Merrlbew proceeded to tbe street "Handsome duffer," was Merrlhew'a commeut. "But you never can tell a man by bis looks. Gaze on me, for in stance." Go home!" Hillard slapped him Jovially on the shoulder. 'Home! Ah, yes! But shall I have home to go to when I get back? You hae roped me in nicely. My poor little twenty-five hundred! But Swiss champagne at $1 40 the quart! Well, every cloud has Us lining." As Hlllard never received any an swer to bis personal, he discontinued It. Truly, she bad returned to the fog out of which she bad come. But It was no less difficult for hlni to take up the dally affairs again. What mystery veiled her? Whither bad she gone? Giovanni was delighted when be heard the news. He would go, too, nnd net ns valet to the signor and his friend till they put out for Rome. Then, of course, he would be obliged to eave them. Occasionally Hlllard would reason with him regarding his deadly projects. But when a Latin declares that he has seen through blood, persuasions, arguments, en treaties, threats do not prevail. He comforted himself with the opinion, however, that Giovanni's hunt would come to no successful end. You will surely fall Into the hands of the police." "What God wills comes true. But by this time they will have forgotten me." "But your man might be dead." "He Is not dead. If he were some thing would tell me." "It is a bad business, nnd I wish you no luck." Giovanni smiled easily. Wishes sel dom Interfere with any one. "I will double your wages," said Hll lard, "If you will go where I go and return with me when I come back to America." A deprecating movement. "Money? It Is nothing. I nm rich after my kind." "Are you still In the church?" "I confess reculnrly once a week. Oh. I nm n good Catholic" "Take yourself off. I am displeased with you." a It was a drizzling, fofrcy morning when they drove down to the boat But the atmospheric effects made no Impression on tin- volaille Merrlhew. And be bad tin eye for nil things, from the baskets of fruU and flowers, mes sengers ult'j late orders from the Stores, repeated farewells, to the squalling habies in the steerage. At 4 o'clock tbey were on the high aeas, beading for the Azores. Illllurd was dreaming, ui.d Merrlhew was stu diously employed over a booklet on how to Fpeuk Italian in one duy. Gio vanni, who had been arranging the lut'Kat'e, ciin.e up on deck. He had two packets of letters and telegrams. One be gave to Merrlhew and tbe other to bis master. Hlllard found among bis a bulky en velope postmarked Naples. Naples! ; A crumpled Uiuk tllk mask. He sat up. It had been uddressed to the house and the address typewritten. "Look at tills!" he tried. "Good Lord!" Pan gasped, his feet coming down to tbe deck. Hillard was holding up for his In spection a crumpled black silk mask. TO BE CONTINUED "AilvertlHinii lirlnjr nuccess" If what you advertise lieuru out your advertisement. W. J. BAKER Real Estate Loans Insurance APPLE AND STRAWBERRY LAND A SPECIALTY Correspondence Solicited I L. B. STEVENS & CO. I A FINE LINE OF Cigars, tJc6accos, J Smelters' Supplies J I Confectionery, Stationery, J Notions, Etc. 2 Stop in at The Paaatime" J On the Heiffhta 2 '"a jm Taft Transfer Co. Draying. . . Wood Yard HAY, PL0UR and PEED For Sale Office Phone 29 Residence 232- M REAL ESTATE! If you want Portland City Property or Willammette Valley Lands you can pet the best on best terms by writing or visiting D. IN. Byerlee St. John,, Oregon K.P.SUMNER t) Lavatories S n XToilcto Sinho h V PLUMBING Sewer and Drill TILE Wanted Orchard Land! C I have buyers for improved and unim proved Apple Land, 10 to 1G0 acres. C. What have you to sell? C. Also income property in Portland to trade for Orchard. J. F. BATCI IELDER - Phone 163M Hood River, Oregon " To Those Who believe in Patronizing Home Industry When you lay in your winter supply of Flour and Feed, ak for CUPID FLOUR :A isj D; HOMEMILLED FEED If your dealer does not want ... to supply it, come to Us . . . CUPID IS STILL MADE FROM OLD WHEAT Hood RiDer ItfiCling Company DEAN ST SHAW CeciricaC tvfrurnisfiers II. R. Banking & Trust Bldg. HOME PHONE 3 HOOD RIVER, ORE. BUY YOUR GROCERIES 3 ' FROM 5 WOOD & HUGGINS jj THE SPOT CASH GROCERY 6 The largest stock to select from. Our large trade N. 5 our store. We make a specialty of fancy and high grade stock. Give us a call. S k WOOD & HUGGINS Phone 7 H. H. Bailey W. E. Colby BAILEY & COLBY Electric Wiring and Fixtures a a a Jm v ; Supplies at Moderate Prices $ '1 I silt 'MM Office and Display Room at 117 Statt Strtet Shop Phone ZZZ-K Rcidcnc Phon 2ci-L n B B MM i-uiimiufit Munt Dressers Carpets Art Squares Linoleums ALSO BUILDING MATERIAL S. E. BARTMESS MimJ Kiver, Oregon 9 1