The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-04-27
THE UNKNOWN QUANTITY
BY LOTriE r. GAMBLE
Copyright. By Bobbs- Merrill Coz

sobbs- Merrill Coz
have paid Newell, a great deal more |
than it was worth, to defend their per
son and property"
Yours Is a growing fame, indeed.
IL you are as successful in squelchina
your clients opponents as your chance
companions"
81 seem to do little better for my
clients than myself" he admitted mod
estly.
Since you are competent to give lie.
gal advice. according to your own
statement, il you will help me, III over
look your calling me country"
Meanwhile an idea, hitherto foreign
to him, was revolving in Allan's mind;
perhaps he had lost something by re-
fusing so determinedly to be included
in any of Editha's gay plans. Perhaps!
Perhaps There might have been
girls like this. Hadn't l better prove
my competency them he found him.
self saying aloud, "by first getting my
self out of trouble?"
You were never in any" she laughed.
Don't you know if I'd thought
an | should never have spoken to
you When | sat down here l mag
ined that you we're unused to girls, and
SO was silly enough to resolve to tease
you | am just ashamed" she con-
fessed remorsefully.
You are the first young lady I've
talked with since-in long time; so
you can trust your intuitions further"
How do you know that I'm not
bothered widow or a married lady
seeking a divorce?" The merry CLINT
shone again in her eyes.
Allan waited unsmilingly.
We'll, I've felt safe-that is in q
way" she continued. You see have
friend, very dear one, who insists
upon marrying me of to her husbands
chum"
Happy fellow" Allan hoped that
, the relief he felt was not voiced too
plainly in his tone.
, Il hate HIM"
=: rs he so bad as all that?'
I've never seen him, nor even his
picture. That dislike of the camera Is
the only redeeming trait that l can
imagine his possessing. My friend"
she went on, has been married so
short a time that the illusion still
forms haze about her; and II some
thing isn't done a very sweet woman
is going to be spoiled Isn't there
some kind of writ-is that what it's
her to bring her to a normal state. and
relieve her suffering girl friends?" she
asked smiling-smiling sweetly, Allan
thought.
Just now l can think of none
but rest assured that l shall consult
the best authorities. If l am unable
after some time. to find warrant fol-
any such act, perhaps I can suggest a
satisfactory arrangement, one, at any
other direction"
IF you will, | shall be ever in your
debt" She missed Allan's quizzical
smile. There the conductor hal
called my station!"
AS she prepared to leave the trair
pulled past the depot to the water
tank. why, there is Editha," the CIR
|
not we'll"
Allan looked over the girls heat
: into the fast-gathering dusk outside
This is mine, too. l see," he sale
n gladly. We'll, now what do you thinl
/ of that 1 wish you'd notice Gilber
:. Ainsley out there; and he suffering
4 too much to leave the house this morn
{ ing!"
Allan had risen and was taking pos
8 session of her satchel as il he had mo-
u heard her exclamation.
The girl faced him accusingly; Il d.
believe you are Allan Davis yourself!
:. Their fellow passengers were too busy
:. peering out in the twilight, or else dis
- gorging themselves from the crowded
car, to notice the little scene that wa:
being enacted.
YES" the man assented wondering
= ly: then a smile of comprehension
o broke over his face.
You are~'
Il am" she interrupted scorchingly
q why couldn't you have slept sound
, err" But the cOntagiOn of her CO
q victims amusement could not be re
;. sisted, and the girl burst into ,
!. merry laugh.
+ They will be charmed with them
selves" she whispered confidently
# between their gales Of mirth. Ok
# please, let's not crafty Them" sh'
pleaded.
=. For a moment he hesitated, a Joy
full light in the eyes that swept he
IT flushed, entreating countenance. the'
he acQuiesced.
n Mr.. and Mrs. Gilbert Ainsley hat
reluctantly but silently decided tina
J. an expected guest had failed them
and were about to drive away with tn,
A. one who had arrived when they dis
covered Allan Davis making his wa.
a. hurriedly toward them. The trail
I. was so packed" he explained breath
lessly, throwing in his bag and mount
"a ing the back seat with the disap
pOiutod hostess who OCcunipd 4