The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-04-07
CHAPTER VII.

Y z 1LLARD made an inexcusably
careless shot. He grounded his
cue and stood back from the
4 \ table. That was the way ev-
erything seemed to goat tennis, at
| squash, at fencing. at billiards., it was
| all the same.
| 81 say. Jack, what's the matter With
you anyhow? asked Merrihew, out Of
! patience.
| ut was bad" Hilard agreed. "Per-
haps l am not taking the interest in
the game that formerly Took
"And when l make a proposition"
pursued Merrihew, ito ride to the Cat
skils and back, something you would
have jumped at year ago, you shake
| your head. Think of it! BY George,
you had bully time last year! You
swore it was the best trip we ever
took ON the horses. Where's your spirit
of adventure?"
I'm sure l don't know where it is.
Shall we finish the game?"
mot if you're going to throw it like
this" declared Merrihew.
"Ten ard Il string against your half
string" said. Hillard, studying tn,
score '!'ll bet bottle that l beat
you"
'Done!' said Merrihew. Being on
his mettle. he made a clean score of
twenty, five to go. 81 can see you pay
ing for that check, Jack"
But the odds tingled Hillard's blood.
He settled down to a brilliant play
and turned siXty-one in beautiful form.
Later the two passed upstairs to the
secluded alcove. Merrihew filled the
glasses with the air of one who would
like to pass the remainder Of his days
doing the same thing-not that he was
overload, but each bottle temporarily
welded out that crop of imperishable
debts. To him the world grew roseate
and kindly. viewed through the press
of the sparkling grape. and invariably
he saw fortune reckoning to the card
tables.
"Now. then, Jack. I've got you where
l want you. Who is she?"
"On my word. don't know"
"Then there is womanv' cried Mer.
rihew. IL knew it. Nothing else would
so demoralize you. Drink health to
her."
Hillard raised his glass and touched
that Of his cOmrade. For the peace Of
his mind he determined to tell Merri
hew the whole adventure.
''To the lady in the fog!" he said.
"Fog?" blankly.
"Well the lady in the mask"
"Fog, mask? Two Of them?"
. mo. only one. Once l met her in the
fog, and then | met her in the mask"
"Ill drink to her. but I'm hanged II
don't believe you're coddling me-
said Merrihew disappointedly. This
is New York"
1.-THE whole story, Jack. details and
all; no half portions"
Hilard told the yarn simply. omit
ting nothing essential. He even added
that for three weeks he had been the
author of the personal inquiry as tc
the whereabouts Of one Nine. Angot
:. II don't know, Dan. but this has
taken so strong hold on me that
shan't forget it soon. Imagine it your
self. Oh, but she could sing! l am 9
: man not to be held in the leash OF al
= adventure like this, but she held me
How? BY the hope that one day
might see her face with no veil OF
mystery to hold her off at arms
length"
!, Merrihew was greatly excited. He
was for ordering Il second bottle, bu
Hillard stayed him.
"By George. And you are sure thai
> it was at the Sandfords'?"
81 am positive. But there is puzzle
, that l have failed to solve-SandfOrd' ::
. cable and the caretakers declaration
:, l know that was in that house. TIL,
l. patrOlman says that he has seen NJ
: light in the house since the family
sailed for Africa. 1t is no dream, bu
> it begins to look as If We're the vic
tim of some fine hoax"
q ut is more than hoax. in my opin
ion. Wait till Sanford returns ant
+ finds his silver gone"
Hillard started.
n Sand his gold plate" continued Mer
/, rihew, pleased with the idea. M.
boy, that's what it is-the best dodg
l ever heard Of. 1t will make goot
/: story for the Sunday papers. Yo
won't be in it unless she ropes you il
q as an accomplish"
"Pm romantic asst" Hillard sighed
q Teddy Lightfnger! II this turned on
to be the case he would never trust
, human being again. ,-t
Lets take that ride on the horses
+ Merrihew urged. "Thatll clear you
, brain of this sentimental fog"
"No" Hillard struck his hands to
gether. 1--WE better idea than that
I shall co to Italy. and you shall e.