The Forrest City times., 1912-12-20
CHAPTER TX.
A New Mystery.

I was up with the dawn the next morning and downstairs to find a train schedule The only thought in my mind was that I must go to Lou ise at once. l could not understand her sudden amazing change of front Why. after pledging me to solve the mystery, should she all at once be as insistent that l should immediately stop all inquiry? l had lain awake the whole night. pondering the situa tion and seeking q solution. What req son could she have? Who could have influenced her to such action?
 The first train. 1 found, left two minutes before six. I ordered break fast, though in no mood for eating. and went to Davis room I felt that l needed his advice I found him awake, smoking a cigarette In bed Briefly related to him the amazing telephone conversation l had had with Louise the night before
 What possible reason could have Influenced her to make such a strange request" I concluded.
 "A woman doesn't have to have a reason" he nswered-lippantly, it seemed to me.
 You don't understand." cried Louise is not the ordinary fighty girl She has the finest. best-balanced mind of any woman I ever knew. She never acts on impulse"
 Davis looked at me with that exas. perating smile of his.
 Kent" he replied, when you have been married as long as I have, when you know women as we'll as do. you will realize the folly of trying to find reasons for the things women do Their minds are not governed by req son, but by impulse. Every sane wom. an knew that the hobble skirt was an absurdity, yet when Fashion decided in favor of the hobble skirt 1t was worn. l doubt very much if Miss Far. rish herself could tell ycu why she asked you to discontinue your inves- tigation. Probably she acted on i'm pulse. By this time she undoubtedly is just as eager as she ever was for you to go on"
 What would you advse?"
 I'd go ou." said Davis laeonieally. as he lighted another cigarette
 For a moment I was almost shaken in my determination to do nothing un. til l had seen Louise. II seemed as if Davis might be right. Perhaps she had acted only on impulse Perhaps her love for me had made her feel that the investigation might lead me into danger. But rccoasidered She had given me her love and trust and confidence She surely was entitled to full confidence from me could not honorably continue the investiga. tion without first seeing her.
 'l am going 10 town on the first train" l said declsiyely T shall do nothing until l have seen her"
 And l shall go on with the inxes. tigation. said Davis with that exas. perating smile of his
 lmpatienly l turned and left him I choked down a cup of coffee and kur- ried to the station. The journey seemed miles and miles long, though the train made few stops. As soon as the ferry landed me in New York I sprang into taxi and ordered the driver to take me at once to the Far rish house Not until We had turned into their street did I realize that it was still too early for me 10 try to see Louise. even on such an urgent mis sion as mine. A few doors away from the house l stopped the chauffeur and bade him drive up the avenue to the entrance Of Central park
 l dismissed him there and strolled aimlessly into the park. would wait until ten o'clock before tried to see Louise Still ponder!ng the situation. l strolIed along che of the rark walls and flung myself on bench by the little lake where the swan boats are There was no che about al that early hour and 1 was glad Of 1t l wanted fo be Slore and think
 How long l sat there do not know