The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-02-09
CHAPTER XIII


Pauline made an effort to look unlike
rself; but hers was an individuality
easily hidden under a large plaid
veiing wrap and a PLAIN black bonnet
veil. At any rate. Mr. DAVIS was
deceived by them, and guessed who
visitor was the moment she was
wn into his dusty little private office.
lie remained standing silent and mo-
Mess, with his bright, beadlike ewes
watching her from under his heavy brows
2 until she felt almost hysterical.
Il have come with reference to an ad-
vertisement in this mornings Times" she
began. II believe you inserted it?''
NO." She looked incredulous for a
moment, then said: "Then, if you did not.
you Know who did, and you will favor
me with their address,
What for?"
II wish to see them"
"Why?"
'Whyw Pauline drew herself nm
proudly, for she was getting irritted, as
she answered Il think that is my bust
ness"
Not at alL.-14t is ours"
.~e- Iog~Will surely not refuse to let me
~navesthe address of the person who put
that notice in this mornings Times, when
tell you that l came on Sir Geoffrey's
behalf. am, in fact, relative of his.
It says it is for Sir Geoffreys decided
advantage" But how!"
That's my clients business LAWYERS
never reveal their clients AFFAIRS
But, If you will neither tell me YOUR
seiI nor give me your clients address.
how can l find out for Sir Godfrey what
the advantage is?'
Send him here himself
He can't come. He is very ILL.," she
told the lawyer.
Then we must wait until he's WELL"
You will absolutely tell nobody but
himself what this wonderful advantage
ISL"
"No one."
Pauline rose from her chair, and they
looked steadily at each other for a few
seconds. She gathered her energies for
her last effort. She placed her hand on
theftable between them, and leaned for
ward slightly.
What is your price for the address
/ want?"
DAVIS eyes glittered. Two thoughts
passed through his mind before he an
swered: you have shown your fear by
the offer of a bride; and heaven save
the Frenchwoman if l betray her, for
you will certainly murder herv' Then
he spoke:
The information you ask for is price
! al,ss. ;, 49,
Il can give more than you think, per-
haps. One hundred pounds" A pause.
Two hundred-three hundred-four
hundred-ive!''
Il have answered; it Is priceless
She looked for one instant as If she
would spring on him and tear the secret
from him: then there came the sullen
look OF one beaten and baffled, and she
turned without another word. went
4 down the rickety stairs, and re-entered
E the cab which had been waiting for her
Pauline had counted confidently on
making q bargain with Messrs. DAVIS &
Raven. She believed that some unknown
person had accidentally found out Ger
tain facts of her past life which she had
pressing reasons for keeping secret, and
she thought she had only to offer them
Z good price for their silence and the
matter would end there. Now that she
was once more in her own room, wrap
, ped in q warm dressing gown, and with
1 leisure to think, she began to see that
there was something more than the mere
greed of gain prompting her unknown ad-
versary.
This fighting in the dark was alarming.
IL she only knew from what quarter
to expect the attack she might be able to
make some sort of resistance; az it was.
there was nothing to be done but sit
down and calmly await the onslaught.
On ono point only could she make up
her mind-she must hurry on her mar
riage. Let her once be Jacks wife, and.
no matter what phantoms should rise
from the past to threaten her, she would
at least be sure of his love: for she
would love him so dearly, she would be
90 gentle, so winning. that he would not
be able to withhold his love from her
even though he should greve to find her
other than he had thought
And so that evening she got Jack s
consent that they should be married a
fortnight hence, on the 18th of Septem-
Der, the day after she reached ner TWEEN
ty-fifth year.