The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1911-02-17

could tell, was not followed.
When his cab drew up at the busy
entrance on La Sale street, he found
his way to the nearest public tele-
phone. The hour was close to five,
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 me?'
Eyes, 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?"
mo, sir, an older man."
The Japanese minister had doubtless
gone straight from Arima's apartment
to the Pere Marquette. Anything
else?" asked Orme.
There was phone call for you
about IL o'clock. The party left no
name"
"a woman's voice?"
Eyes, sir She said Tell Mr..
Orme that | 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 1t"
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 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
ise 1t may have been foolish, quixotic;
but he resolved to continue as he had
begun "At ten O'clock" he said to
himself, "if l have not found her,
will look at the papers or go to the
police-do whatever is necessary" He
did not like to break promises or miss
engagements.
There was his engagement with the
Wallinghams. 1t had absolutely gone
from his mind Bessie would forgive
him, of course. She was sensible
little woman, and she would know that
his failure to appear was due to some
thing unavoidable and important, but
Orme's conscience bothered him lit
tie because he had not, before setting
out that morning, telephoned to hel
that he might be detained.
Bessie Wallingham! She knew the
GIRL Why had he not thought of tina
before?
He got the Wallinghams' number
Were they at home? No, they hat
gone to Arradale and would probabl!
remain until the last evening train
He rang off.
1t remained to try Arradale. Aftel
some delay, he got the club house
Mrs. Wallingham? Yes, she had jus
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 O
yourself; we waited over and took the
next train"
ooh, yes, know all about these yer!
busy people"
Nonsense! 1 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
| do, Rob- You'll have to Tess up
do know such girl? Are yor
serious?"
"Why, Bob, can think of several
Shall name them?"
Not give their names! What OF
earth is the matter with you?"
"Oh, part of the business, is it
Well, let me see. Tall and beautiful
you say. Dark eyes and hair. A blacl
touring car Hum! l know three girl
to whom the description applies.
} might be-but you don't wish me t.
mention the name. Well, you'll hav'
l to think of something more distinct
: i've"
. Orme thought in vain. The image
= of the girl was ever in his mind, bu
describe her he could not. At last h