The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-03-06

Il have no faith whatever in
forgers." She turned upon him tri.
umphantly. indicating with her head.
Anyway. here comes Clay Toliver
and now you, will be compelled to be.
have whether or no" Alan glanced
aside. To his genuine dissatisfaction
he saw the only rival who at all wor,
ried him approaching them.
Clay raised the shapely fingers to
bis lips 40 he always made 1t . point
to do when he greeted her in March's
presence, knowing that it worried his
opponent In this affair Of hearts and
taking much satisfaction from the In:
stinctive knowledge that the act Of
gallantry made tho other sQuirm in
wardly. And sauirm inwardly March
certainly did. not 20 much At the act
Itself as from the fact that Doris
seemed rather to approve Of it. while
should he attempt similar homage
be would appear but as an imitator
and therefore ridiculous to himself %
we'll as her. Good evening, Miss
Doris" the newcomer said In his low,
smooth voice. his dark eyes soft when
they gazed at her, hard as brilliants
when they flashed over March. Il
have been hoping all day that might
find you looking Just as you do this
evening" He turned upon her com.
panion, his rather thin but cleanly cut
face expressionless save for the CLINT
Of his eyes which Alan had often
thought TO be the most peculiar he had
ever seen. "And hope you, too. are
well, SIR" March nodded casually as
for f1eeting second their hands and
glances met Clay went o.
II have to beg your ps don, Miss
Doris, for coming here tonight unin-
vited, but as you know have been
out Of town for week and Just came
tccck "a h.: .e~S -T.cnI ! got Oft
the train I learned for the first time
that 1t had been stated by Professor
Desmond that a terrible disaster il
threatening us, and I Immediately
came here-not that any mortal could
expect to be of any particular physical
assistance in case such an inconceiv.
able event should take place, but rath.
er in the hope that might be Of some
slight service to you In some other
way. Am l to be granted your par.
don for intruding?" That Doris was
genuinely moved by the speakers sin.
cerity and thoughtfulness March.
watching her. could not doubt.
She flashed him look Of gratitude
that March would have paid high for.
mot only are you pardoned, but
you are rewarded by my sincere
thanks-if that be any reward" she
exclaimed impulsively. She dropped
q light hand upon the sleeve of each
man, smiling from one to the other i'm
partially. 1T is difficult to believe that
any harm could come to one who had
two such knights at her service. 1t
makes a woman feel almost safe, even
at an hour like this" She addressed
Clay: "By the way, have you met
Professor Desmond" He told her that
he had not
'Then you must do so at once
that is If Mr.. March will pardon US
for a few moments while I am intro
| ducing you. Father has captured him
and has him over yonder. Besides,
want you to tell me something about
your trip" So of they went with fare
well mods to Alan, walking confident
tally side by side, Doris slender but
round, seeming to scarcely touch the
grass with her white clad feet, Toll
liver Of good height and though Q,
slender build showing more than one
trace of strength and suppleness IN
his erect form. Left alone, Jealous
and disgruntled March thrust hi
hands to the bottoms Of his pockets
and Joined the first stray group he
CHANGED across.
Immediately he was struck by the
subtle change which had come ovel
them In the hast quarter of an hour Of
his companionship alone with Doris
Their voices had grown subdued, anx
tous. strained. with now and then an
unnatural laugh that arose une1pect
eddy az some feminine nerve gave
away beneath the suspense. Also be
noticed that almost constantly theil
eyes furtiyely swept the darkness
above. To March It seemed as though
the atmosphere OF the night wal
charged with mysterious oppressive
ness. The stiffness was that of cave
Clouds had lung themselves across
the sky in thick curtain and the
darkness .:sSoye> Eea 20 d!ansea IS ia