Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-04-10
CHAPTER XIV.
Enemies Face 70 Face.

As events shaped themselves the
problem presented by DR.. Massey
| found a speedy solution. Had | been
| compelled to grapple with it unaided
| am not yet sure what course should
have pursued. or my own volition I
must have hesitated to take a step
which could not fail to throw suspi-
cion--at least among the only par
TALLY informed-upon my absent and
defenseless friend. But all choice In
the matter was denied me
| arranged with DR.. Massey that he
should go unaccompanied to his pa
TENTS room, and, without so much as
hint that he was cognizant of what
had trarspired on the previous night,
make whatever examination he
deemed necessary to a definite conclu.
sion.
In the meantime, having learned
from Checkabeedy that Evelyn was in
the breakfast room, Joined her there.
Her curiosity had ripened by nights
suppression: and having dismissed the
footman who was serving her. she at
once demanded the fulfillment OF my
promise to tell her everything.
IT'S another case where you have
the right to say, I told you So" be-
gan, as took chair next to her.
In her wide blue eyes I read that
she OWNED my meaning.
yes" went or, the man upstairs
is not your uncle. We have been
nursing viper. It seems, who prom.
ises to give us a deal of trouble be-
fore we are through with him"
There was no need for her to cues.
ton me. Rapidly. succinctly. told
her the story had learned from Yup
Sing; told her, too. of the scene in
the bedchamber. after | had left her
on the previous night; and showed
her the letter from McNish's poor old
Scotch mother.
There, there" soothed. as In ST.
lence but with quivering lips and eyes
overlooking, she started to read the
tremblingly penned sentences sec.
ond time. I'm sorry for the dear old
creature, too, but"
Philip" she interrupted me. her
face and voice alike pleading. Let
us send him back to her!"
Send him back" repeated in
amazement
Yes We can. can't we? We don't
have to give him up to those horrid
Cinnamon, do we? He's we'll enough
to CO. isn't he? Why cant we call a
cab give him enough money for his
There's a steamer sailing this morn.
ing, isn't there?"
For just moment l was on the
point of yielding. Seldom has a vii
lain had a more puissant advocate
than had McNish in this enthusiastic,
resolute girl, spurred to his salvation
by the pathetic appeal of that mater.
nal yearning which breathed from ev-
cry line of the letter before her. The
unselfsh purity of her cause illumined
and TRANSPORTED her. Her beauty was
radiant.
Answer mel" she insisted, impa-
uent at my silence. isn't 1t possible?
Isn't 1t really the very best way out of
a difficulty? 1t will never do to admit
that we have had that man here in
mistake for Uncle Robert, you know"
But there is something you have
forgotten, my dear child" objected,
with all the mlldness / could bestow
upon the words. in your wish to give
Joy to this poor old mother-and in
that | am with you heart and soul
you have quite overlooked the fact
that we are still with scarcely a scin.
tilla OF information concerning the
present whereabouts OF your uncle"
"Oh, no, | haven't" was her prompt
rejoinder, but don't see what that
has to do with 1t, except that It makes
1t all inc more necessary to pretend
that We still believe this McNish Is
he. How will sending McNish abroad
hinder" And then she broke of,
suddenly. as had rather expected she
would, knowing what keen brain she
had and how once she got a clear per-
spective on the situation. she must see
again the very point she had suggest
ed once herself and which l had stili
in mind.
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