The Crimson Patch

un-parlors and into the imposing dining-room. To Patricia it was all a splendid ad

o speak of all the meals to come!) and pick out just exactly what I want to eat, without having cooked or helped to cook them all beforehand, and knowing I won't have to wash the dishes afte

an, and found him a singularly unprepossessing individual. He was of medium height, with a swarthy skin, and black hair plastered closely down the sides of his head. His eyebrows were extremely black a

s table?" questioned the Captain. The

time 17and may keep this table. And if I'm going to have anyone about me re

ger," stil

nation

wi

our order." And without further

e looks like an alien enemy. I don't believe he's Swiss at all. Can't w

mind an unprepossessing outer appearance. If he makes a good waiter, noth

both gazed quietly about them for the few m

agonally at our right, just a little behind you? She reminds me somehow of Aunt Evelyn. And there's a pretty gi

ainly striking enough to attract attention in any assembly. Her wavy gray hair was elaborately dressed, sh

d, "only much handsomer and more imposing. The young per

at the nape of her neck. But her lovely face was marred by a pouting, sullen mouth, and her big dark eyes gazed about her with an expression that struck Patricia as one half-frightened, half-rebellious

and vague resemblance to her aunt, but also because of some subtle attraction in her vivacious manner. Once she looked up suddenly, caught Patricia's gaze fixed on her, and smiled in so winning a manner that Patricia was impelled to sm

ief belonging to the older woman had fallen unheeded to the floor at her side. Stooping to pick it up, Patricia restored it, and was rewarded by another charming smile and a 21"Thank you, dear!" But in the same instant her eye caught that of the young girl, and was held by it for a long,

or of the big dining-room when Captain Meade stopped suddenly to

t me present my daughter, Patricia." Patricia made her best curtsey to

ness of old Juno, my colored cook. She would keep too hot a range fire and overheated the chimney. At any rate, here I am till the thing is rebuilt, and a precious long

to a sanatorium; the closing-up of their home and his coming with Patricia for a combination of holiday for her and le

as her chaperon whenever necessary, and general adviser at all times. My suite is 720, ninth floor. Be sure you call on me soon, Patricia, and we'll get really

n the elevator. "I like the way her hair is fixed in those queer, old-fashioned scallops, and her de

wever, if her house is out of 24commission and she's staying here, it answers the purpose even better. You must be sure to call on her in her rooms to-morrow. Now, I'm afraid you're in for a lonely evening, Patricia, for I have an important business matter to attend to, and may be

worry about me a minute!" agreed Pa

er own personal knickknacks and belongings. When this occupation could be prolonged no further, 25she sank down in a cosy chair by the table in the living-room,

nd danger, perhaps! Then more sober thought reminded her that there was, in all probability, no likelihood of anything particularly thrilling except in her own imagination, and she laughed at herself for romancing so foolishly. They would have a

e a tiny note to her mother and go to bed. All at once she realized how very tired she was and how the excitement and exhilaration had all eva

door, to find the grinning, implike bell-boy of

ma'am, so I got you tongue. Be

lied, then something impelled her to inquire, "D

work it that way. I got

at is it?" sh

and Patricia found herself laughing as much at his serio-comic express

er father's tactics. "If you're going to be aroun

a trifle dumfounded to think that anyone should care t

denly remembered that she had meant to order 28ice-water for the night also, and walked out into the corridor to see if Chester were still in sight. He was not, however, a

w. Perhaps if she had not, if she had gone quietly in and closed her door, all future events might have bee

l-boy, of that she was positive, nor had she heard the faintest sound of its being opened. And in the opening was framed a face, gazing

nity to break the growing monotony of the evening. She smiled her friendliest smile at the face across the corridor, and with its resultant effect on the girl in the opposite doorway, she was not a little astonished.

"He escaped before I could speak about bringing ice-water." The girl in the opposite

She spoke with a noticeably foreign accent and her manner was reticent and confused. But Patricia, for some inexplicable reason felt imme

l the evening. Won't you come in and sit with me awhile? I've a coup

sent. A surprised, dimpling smile lit her face for an i

between them, down the corridor. He glanced neither to the right nor left, and disappeared in a moment down the turning at the end of the hall. P

contradicting what she had plainly intended to say at first. The bright smile was gone. H

nd to reply. "Same here, or perhaps I could

I am not su

to 32get acquainted. Goodnight!" Patrici

ange, interesting, appealing foreign girl? What was her relation to the beautiful woman she called 'Mme. Vanderpoel'? Why

oking for that woman to come back. I think that was only an excuse. I firmly believe she was watching me. But why? There's something queer about the whole th