The state herald., 1916-03-31

the air Of one who has no time to
waste in airy persinage. 'I'm here on
business. though. Mr.. North. want
to borrow the services of your stenog-
rapher for a day."
"Me?" inquired Betsy Barbara.
"You." replied Rosalie Le Grange.
She turned back to Tommy North
then; and the flash of her dimples dis.
armed any possible resentment.
"Mr. North, haven't you got five or
ten minutes OF business somewhere
else? Like buying your days cigars
or something? When two ladies' want
to talk something over alone. they
hate to talk In the hall"
"Oh, certainly" replied Tommy
North. rising and reaching for his
coat.
ut amt every young boarder," said
Rosalie LIE Grange. who is intelligent
enough to let his landlady boss him.
Now you be back In Just ten minutes
by the clock. that's an obedient boy"
Tommy cast one look at Betsy-Bar-
bara as he went out of the door; and
Betsy-Barbara smiled as though to re-
assure him.
Rosalie proceeded to the heart Of
the matter without any Of her Gus.
tomary circumlocution.
"Betsy-Barbara Lane" she said, Il
believe you'd go for friend to the
place we amt supposed TO mention.
except in church. Wouldn't your"
What has happened?" asked Betsy.
Barbara. her color departing with a
rush. Has Constance"
Constance Is perfectly all right"
reassured Rosalie. "She was tryin' to
read-poor thing-when 1 left her fif-
teen minutes ago. But I've got my an.
swer. you would"
81 think / would give my life II It
would help now," said Betsy Barbara.
What I'm askin' then" continued
Rosalie lie Grange. may seem only a
little thing. But It's important.
can't tell you how important. 1t may
save him-you know. Mr.. wade-if
you play your cards right"
Betsy.Barbara was on her feet now.
What is It? Quickl" she asked.
Not beatin' about the bush," re-
piled Rosalie lie Grange, II want you
to spend the day firtin' perfectly out
rageous with Mr.. Estrilla."
In spite Of herself. Betsy barbara let
her pink blond coloring suifuse her
cheeks. But the color flowed back as
her mind leaped from circumstance to
circumstance and rested on sus-
plcion.
What has he" she said under her
breath, what has he to DO with the
Hanska case?"
"Nothin' much-himself" said Rosa
lie. indlfferently, but great deal 20
do with solvin' IL. An it's important
that he should be delivered at Just the
right tlme-ns kind OF witness"
A new idea widened Betsy-BaTbara's
eyes and made soft and wondering the
little mouth of her
And what have your" she whis-
pered. Have you-all this time-and
never suspected"
Now don't go cuttin corners an
guessin." said Rosalie lie Grange.
I've been doin' my part Don't ask
me any more, please. I'm Just Dustin
to tell. I'm an old fool with my tongue.
an II | spring the littlest leak In n
secret Il all comes tumblin' out. Re
member what I've told you. First, you
can help save Mr.. Wade as nobody
else can. Next. don't ask any ques.
lions. An Betsy.Barbara Lane. now
I'm gettln' solemn. want you To
hold up your right hand an swear
somethln' on your honor-thRt you
won't tell nnybody-anybody-about
this until let you
But now the shade OF suspicion
flashed across Botsy.Barbara's face.
Rosalie caught II and formed her m.
swcr mentally before her pretty Juror
spoke.
suppose" said Botny.Barbara-'l
beg your pardon. Mrs Le Grange. but
one must watch everything In u timc
like thia-Hupposo you were working
for the other sldcf"
In case you ever found that out"
said Rogallc. your oath IN all on.
Goodness mc!"-nnd now her emotion
was rcal-'do | look like traitor or
anything OF that tort1 Haven't helped
Mrs. HnnSka every way l couidf
You're woman. barbara, an
you know mo by this time Am I that
hnd7"
NO." replied Betsy.Barbara. "you
arc not" And with mn air OF pretty
nolomnlty. she bworo II.
III was n man." enid Rosaiio Lo
Grange. Il could Just cat you up when
You look that way. Now woro goin'
straight to buslnosa. II Ia a quarter
OF ton. Has Mrp. Hanaka any date to.
day7"
"sho was soing to her lawyers Ai
eleven o'clock"
Let hcr do that: but firat you're to
soc hor and tell her that she mustn't
come homo afterwards. Lot her 10 any.
where except home. An after you've
done what ] want you to do, you'll
meet hor somewhere an tako her TO
dinner at-nt tho Hotel Bamblcn.
Thnta n respectable out-of.t tba wa v