Van Loo and her daughter, and particularly if the
daughter had also been abroad. When they reached the veranda they found
a few early risers eagerly reading the Sacramento papers, which had just
arrived, or, in little knots, discussing the news. Indeed, they would
probably have stopped Barker and his companion had not Barker, anxious
to relieve his friend's curiosity, hurried with him at once to the
manager's office.
"Can you tell me exactly when you expect Mrs. Van Loo to return?" asked
Barker quickly.
The manager with difficulty detached himself from the newspaper which
he, too, was anxiously perusing, and said, with a peculiar smile, "Well
no! she WAS to return to-day, but if you're wanting to keep her rooms,
I should say there wouldn't be any trouble about it, as she'll hardly be
coming back here NOW. She's rather high and mighty in style, I know, and
a determined sort of critter, but I reckon she and her daughter wouldn't
care much to be waltzing round in public after what has happened."
"I don't understand you," said Demorest impatiently. "WHAT has
happened?"
"Haven't you heard the news?" said the manager in surprise. "It's in
all the Sacramento papers. Van Loo is a defaulter--has hypothecated
everything he had and skedaddled."
Barker started. He was not thinking of the loss of his wife's
money--only of HER disappointment and mortification over it.
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