Death of a Beauty Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

girl’s for its smoothness and softness. His eyes were good, too, set well apart, and very clear and bright, and veiled by long, curling lashes. The mouth, small and pouting, and the rather pointed chin, did not suggest any great strength of character – indeed the whole expression might have been thought weak and perhaps a little effeminate, though the set of the shoulders and a certain spring and ease in movement suggested a vigorous enough physique, as the ready smile, the bright and smiling eyes, suggested also a joyous gaiety of disposition. The resemblance to old Paul Irwin was marked – no one could have seen them together without at once understanding they were father and son – yet it was hard to say in what this resemblance consisted, for there was no strong likeness in feature, and the contrast between the severe and dour expression of the elder and the laughter-loving joyousness of the younger was sufficiently striking. They might, indeed, have stood for opposing types of the ‘grim’ and the ‘gay,’ though just now the boy looked anything but gay. For the instant he recognised his father all the fun and laughter fled from his face; he gave a gasp, a little jump, banged the door of the room, and vanished at a run.
    Sargent began to laugh, but checked himself as he saw the old man wince with sudden pain.
    â€˜I’ve never seen the boy run from me before,’ he said, though more to himself than to his companion.
    â€˜Oh, he just felt caught out,’ Sargent remarked, a little sorry for the old man, who seemed to feel so keenly an action that in the circumstances appeared quite trivial and natural.
    â€˜I never thought to see him run from me,’ Paul repeated, in the same low voice. He was evidently deeply hurt. ‘Leslie always trusted me before,’ he said, and again it was almost a kind of radiance with which he spoke his son’s name.
    â€˜Oh, you know, when a girl comes along...’ said Sargent vaguely.
    â€˜Yes, it’s her doing – well, she shall never marry him,’ Paul answered, with slow and fierce determination. ‘It would be his ruin.’
    â€˜Well, she’s given him up – I know that,’ Sargent insisted. ‘You needn’t worry.’
    â€˜I’m not worrying,’ Paul retorted, ‘for I am taking steps to make sure – quite sure. If she cared for him, it might be different, but all she wants him for is what she Can get from him.’ He raised both hands in a gesture that was eloquent of controlled and strong resolve. It was evident that the cinema owner’s assurance that Caroline had given Leslie up made no impression on his mind. He could not conceive it, as even thinkable that any girl should be willing to give up his Leslie. Turning sharply upon Sargent, he said, in different tones:
    â€˜Your “No Admission” notice doesn’t seem to be very effective. Leslie had evidently been in to see Miss Mears. You allow visits to the girls’ dressing-rooms, then?’
    â€˜Most certainly not,’ declared Sargent angrily. ‘We can’t prevent some youngsters from misbehaving, but it’s most irregular – most improper. Though I must say I thought Leslie was just going in, not coming out.’
    â€˜Coming out, I think,’ insisted Paul coldly.
    Before Sargent could reply, someone calling him by name came hurrying up, and Sargent turned, by no means sorry for the interruption.
    â€˜Well, I’m here. What is it now?’ he asked.
    â€˜It’s about the Ellis girl,’ the new-comer said. ‘There’s complaints that Miss Mears tricked her into running off the stage the way she did by telling her she would be disqualified if she didn’t. Some of them are saying she ought to have a chance to show again.’
    â€˜Certainly not,’ answered Sargent. ‘If she’s fool enough to believe all she’s told it’s her