The Crimson Blind by Fred M. (Frederick Merrick) White
page 53 of 453 (11%)
page 53 of 453 (11%)
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square-toed-looking place. The electric fittings looked a little
different, but that might have been fancy. It was the identical room. David had run his quarry to earth, and he began to feel his spirits rising. Doubtless he could scheme some way out of the difficulty and spare his phantom friends at the same time. "You wanted to see me, sir? Will you be so good as to state your business?" David turned with a start. He saw before him a slight, graceful figure, and a lovely, refined face in a frame of the most beautiful hair that he had ever seen. The grey eyes were demure, with just a suggestion of mirth in them; the lips were made for laughter. It was as if some dainty little actress were masquerading in Salvation garb, only the dress was all priceless lace that touched David's artistic perception. He could imagine the girl as deeply in earnest as going through fire and water for her convictions. Also he could imagine her as Puck or Ariel--there was rippling laughter in every note of that voice of hers. "I--I, eh, yes," Steel stammered. "You see, I--if I only knew whom I had the pleasure of addressing?" "I am Miss Ruth Gates, at your service. Still, you asked for me by name." David made no reply for a moment. He was tripping over surprises again. What a fool he had been not to look out the name of the occupant of 219 in the directory. It was pretty evident that Gilead Gates had a house in Brighton as well as one in town. Not only had that telephone message emanated from the millionaire's residence, but it had brought Steel to the philanthropist's abode in Brighton. If Mr. Gates himself had strolled |
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