Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-11-03

1 hib. way TIC nCciNAWh
1T makes no difference what ! be-
lieve."' Baton returned. Here is a
fact. This appeal Is her and II is adj
dressed TO me. and II seems | am the
only one who heard II written. ] be-
lieve Miss Hayman was In some
trouble at three o'clock last night"
'Oh. il makes the shivers go all over
me-" gasped Mrs. Waythe.
'.Sit down in this chair. please
Baton commanded gently. you must
try to be calm and answer some ques-
tionsfor me- First. tell me how long
Miss Hayman has lived here"
About. year and a half" r The
frightened woman seated herself.
steadied by Batonss tone OF authority.
What do YOU know of her home
and family?' - ~
She began TO speak and stopped.
She glanced from Baton to Barring
ton and from harrington back to
Baton.
!. What | know she told me in con-
fdence." she said doubtfully. Per
haps | ought to tell you. Mr.. Baton.
under the circumstances, but"
Certainly. | am going. said Far
rington stiffiy. BUT | want to enter a
protest against raising too great a
hue and cry for nothing. IL may be
very annoying to Miss Hayman II ahe
comes back all right tonight
! But his words fell on deaf ears end
| the moment he was gone Baton. with
pencil and memorandum in hand,
said:
Now, Mrs. Waythe."
She, lived right here ever since
she left her home down in Maple
town. It's just a little place and her
father has a farm about three miles
| from town. The reason she came
away in the first place was 10 try and
make little money to help pay of
the mortgage on the old place She
| left home and came to the city by her.
self and an uncle got her a position
In that newspaper office. But now
that uncle has moved out west and oh
dear! Who'd have ever thought"
What newspaper office?'
Baton's voice brought the frightened
woman back to the business In hand
| like lasso and, she gave him the ad
dress.
He entered il in note book.
oh she's the sweetest. incest little
thing If anythirgs happened to her,
Mr., Baton. are you going to look in
the hospitals-or-wher -.
efl
Baton answered. slipping the memo
randum into his pocket. I'll let you
I know as soon as | can what ! find
out
As he was facing the storm of sleet
on his way down town Baton suddenly
whose picture was in a small leather
! frame on his dresser. !. Wat would
she think of this strange MESSAGE"
But what she would think was not
the business in hand just then. Baton
felt in his pocket TO- make sure that the
sheet of typewriter paper was safe
and 1t was. A.t.., -
AT the office OF the newspaper he
learned that Miss HGyman hard re
ceived a telegram the day before that
her father was i'll, and that she had
rushed off with barely time to catch
the train. harrington had been there
an hour earlied than Baton, ii seemed
and had been told the same.
Baton's normal first thought on hear
ing this would have been to telegraph
an inquiry, but under the spell of those
words: Neil. come TO me-, there
seemed but one thing TO do. lie wait
ed only long enough TO telephone Mrs
Waythe a reassuring word, theHstart
ed for the railway station. and tool
the next train for MapIetown.
1t was a slow journey, and when II
was ended there was a vexatious wal
before he could get conveyance Il
carry him out to the Hayman farm
1t was afternoon when Iva Haymar
opened the door TO him. and impulsive
ly held out both hands. whether in 10,
or establishment. Baton could not be-
sure.
He followed her INTO the comfortable
living room, an almost her first words
were:
My father is better: he win live
the doctor assures me. and shall be
able. 10 go back to work in few days
II has come to seem like home there
at Mrs. Waythe's, everybody has beer
so good to me"
Barton caught. at the first pause and
asked abruptly: What were you do
ing at three last night
Three o'clock" Her face grew
serious Sitting by fathers bed
was there all night Why"
Did you think of me?'i
She gave him startled glance. but
after an instant answered in a low
tone: Yes"
What was the thought"
II she coulu have kept from meeting
his eyes she would have kept from
answering the question. but one wa:
as impossible as the other The words
came slowly. against her Will
Il thought of you. wished you
could know I MAS in trouble And
and the clock struck three
An exclamation escaped Baton's