The boy acknowledged both introductions in a suitable manner and then took the seat pointed out to him, which was close to Miss Miller.
“Vance, like myself, is merely paying a flying visit to Kansas City on business,” explained Dudley, and then he and Carrington began to talk together, leaving the boy and Miss Miller to entertain themselves.
There was nothing backward about Miss Miller, for after Vance had given a modest order to the attendant she proceeded at once to make herself agreeable to the lad.
“So you’re a stranger in Kansas City, Mr. Thornton? Are you from Chicago?”
“Yes,” replied Vance, who was not a little impressed by the lady’s loveliness, as well as her fascinating ways.
“Chicago is a most delightful city,” she exclaimed gushingly. “I lived there for many years myself. The young men of Chicago are so bright and manly; it is really a pleasure to meet one of them way out here,” and she flashed such a look at Vance as almost took his breath away.
During the twenty minutes the newcomers had to wait to be served the lady ate but little, but she talked and laughed enough to make up the difference.
Every little charm she possessed she threw into her conversation, and she made many adroit inquiries of Vance as to when he left Chicago, where he had been before he came to Kansas City, where he expected to go next and when, what his business was, and many other suggestive queries, all of which the boy parried skilfully or replied to as he thought prudent, though he had not the slightest suspicion that the lady had any other object than mere womanly curiosity in asking them.
An acute observer would probably have noticed that she was not entirely pleased with the result when the conversation became general.
An almost imperceptible signal passed between her and Sid Carrington when that gentleman finally favored her with a significant look of inquiry.