The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-08-06
(CONTINUED.)

Shadows won't hurt US, and this
place will look better BY daylight"
you haven't any nerves"
"Oh. yes. l have: only they are train.
ed ! didn't anticipate an easy job
when l came down here ! am be
ginning to wonder II those fellows
were square, if they gave me the
straight story. Coombs' words would
seem to indicate that be knows Pm a
fraud Perhaps he didn't mean that
but II sounded So Why should they
tell that rough neck their plans and
send him down here1 I'll ind out
what he knows and how he knows 1t
before another ten hours If he's here
to spy on Us I'll make him earn his
money"
I'll hardly know why I consented
to come, only was 80 misera Bile: any.
thing seemed better than the life
was leading"
You saw all the papers," interpos.
ed. land they bear out every state
ment"
Yes. But could they not be fOrgedt
Why should any honest lawyer advise
a client to undertake such a fraudt
1t seems to me we are actually crfmi.
nails, engaged 10 a criminal plot Be
cause the plan was cOncocted by
lawyer makes no difference. We could
be arrested. imprisoned"
I'VE shall have to play out the game
tonight at least" said. startled by her
earnestness. II will talk with CoOtnts
and will tell you the result tomorrow
Your nerves are all unstrung. and the
affair may appear different by day
light"
The Texan got noisily to his feet and
staggered across the floor.
IF you all hav' got through yer whis
perrin" he said roughly. II reckon Sal
ly's got Their grub laid out"
bit my lips to keep back a hot re-
ply. feeling the restraint Of her eyes.
and we followed him into the next
room The table was set for two. and
I could distinguish tLs shadow Of 4
woman standing motionless In the Tar
Their corner.
Eyer kin talk 1t out yere." announced
Coombs. waving one hand. "'cause
won't be present, havin' ct already.
reckon Sally won't interfere Done."
He slammed the door viciously going
out, causing the lamp to sputter. Then
the woman came silently forward.
coffeepot In her hand. She was q mu-
latto perhaps sixty years of age. her
face SCARED by smallpox. and with
strangely furuve eyes. Somehow she
fitted into the scene. and I saw my
companion gazing at her almost with
horror as she fitted about us silently
as a specter. endeavored to talk
while eating heartily. for was hungry.
but found 1t difficult. to arouse Mrs.
Bernard to any response, and she mere
Iy toyed with her food.
When the c0lOred woman went out
Mrs. Bernard dropped her fork and
pushed back her chair.
"Oh. | simply cannot stand this
placed" she exclaimed There Is some
thing perfectly horrid about 1t. and
and the people. How shall ! ever get
through the nightY"
THAT is nothing" soothed. al.
though hardly at ease myself. ''She is
evidently of the taciturD sort We
don't need to keep these servants, you
know. Ill hunt up some more cheer
full In town tomorrow. Why. by Jove.
it's 10 O'Clock aIreiiy. Have you I'm
ished"
II couldn't choke down another
mouthful"
well. don't he afraid. They mean
well enough. no doubt Sallier
She cume gliding In. her back to the
door
Are you the one who Is to show US
to our roOmsw
"Yes."
She picked up the lamp and went
out. and Mrs. Bernard followed In.
stantly. evidently afraid to be left iD
the dark. ] followed with the grips
trailing up the stairs, having seen
nothing VI COOmbs In the front room.
In the upper hall our guide threw open
two doors, going into the rooms and
lighting lamps. thus giving glimpses
Of the Interiors. The one In the cor
ner was the larger and better fur.
nIshed .,:
"rhis will be yours" said, placing
her valise on the hoor "You can feel
safe enough there with the door lock-
edges. there Is key-and ! will be
right opposite II you need anything"
She gave me her hand, but ! felt It
tremble.
'.You are still afraid7" -r-.
"Yes. I am butt but am not going
to be such a fool"
AS her door closed turned to the
mulntto. who still stood there, lamp In