The Delta independent., 1910-11-18


entrance on La Sale street. he found
bis way to the nearest public tele-
phone. The hour was close to Ave,
and he must discover quickly where
he could find the girl. He called up
the Pere Marquette. This is Mr.
Orme," he explained to the clerk.
"Have there been any calls or mes
sages for met"
Yes, sir. Mr.. and Mrs. Wallingham
called up at 1890 to know If you were
going to Arradale with them"
The golfing engagement! Orme had
not even thought of It since the eve
ming before.
Anything else?"
YES, sir. A Japanese came about
one o'clock He left no name"
THE same man who came last eve
ning?"
No. sir. an older mah."
The Japanese minister had doubtless
gone straight from Arima's apartment
to the Pere Marquette Anything
else?" asked Orme.
There was a phone call for you
about II o'clock. The party left no
name"
"A woman's voice7"
Yes. sir. She said: Tell Mr..
orme that 1 shall not be able to call
him up at noon. but will try to do SO
as near two o'clock as possible
Did she call up again at two?"
mo. sir. There's no record of It."
Orme understood. In the interval
after her attempt to reach him she
had learned at Arima's of his seem
ing treachery. Very WELL" he said
to the clerk, and hung up the re-
ceiver.
What shall he do now? The girl
had given him up. He did not know
her name or where to find her, and yet
find her he must and that within the
next few hours. The unquestionably
great Importance of the papers in his
pocket had begun to weigh on him
heavily. He was tempted to take them
out. there in the telephone booth. and
examine them for a clue. The cir
cumstances justified him.
But-he had promised the girl!
Stronger than his curiosity, stronger
almost than his wish to deliver the pa
pers. was his desire to keep that prom
Use. It may have been foolish, Quixotic:
but he resolved to continue as he had
begun. AT ten o'clock" he said to
himself. ''if I have not found her.
will look at the papers or go to the
police-do whatever IL necessary" He
did not like to break promises or miss
engagements.
There was his engagement with the
Wallinghams. It had absolutely gone
from his mild. Bessie would forgive
him. Of course. She was a sensible
little woman, and she would know that
his failure to appear was due to some
Orme's conscience bothered him . lit
tie because he had not, before setting
out that morning. telephoned to her
that he might be detained.
Bessie Wallingham! She knew the
girl! Why had he not thought Of that
before?
He got the wallinghams' number
Were they at home? No, they had
gone to Arradale and would probably
remain until the last evening train.
He rang on.
It remained to try Arradale. After
some delay. he got the club house.
Mrs. Wallingham? Yes. she had Just
come in. Would Mr.. orme hold the
wire?
Mr.. Orme certainly would, and pres
entity he was rewarded for the delay
by hearing Bessie's brisk little voice.
"Hello?"
! "Who?"
"Bob?"
"Well. you ought to be ashamed Of
woitod oyor end tooL tho
next train"
busy people"
Nonsense! l was fooling. Of course.
But we were sorry you didn't come"
"What?"
THAT girl! Why. what's the mat
ter with you. Robert Orme?"
Business Importance? That won't
do, Rob. You'll have to Tess up
do l know such a girl? Are you
,serious?"
why. Bob. can think of several
Shall I name them?"
mot give their names! What on
earth is the matter with your"
"Oh, part of the business, Is It?
Well. let me see. Tall and beautiful,
you say. Dark eyes and hair. A black
touring car. Hum! know three girls
to whom the description applies. It
might be-but you don't wish me to
mention the name. Well. you'll have
to think of something more distinct
i've"
Orme thought in vain. The image
of the girl was ever In his mind, but
describe her he could not. At last he
said: THE girl ! mean lives in one
of the suburbs. She has a father who
has lately undergone a slight opera.
tiou ua 10 I fhiuk q man who IA In,