The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-11-30
CHAPTER XVII.
il Verifies Suspicious.

huilINh " "a IL vi lie way
to Omar he had time thorough.
" to weigh the results Of this uneX
pected complication. His present de-
sire was merely to verify his suspicion
that Appleton had told his secret to
Natalie. Beyond that he did not care
to think. for there was but n course
open.
His anger reached the blazing point
after his arrival. As he stepped down
from the engine cab Gray silently
handed him n code message from Lon
don which had arrived n few moments
before. When its contents had been
deciphered O'Neil cursed, and he was
furious as he stumbled through the
dark toward the green bungalow on
the hill.
Swinging around the corner OF the
house, he came into n bright radiance
which streamed forth from ELIAS
window, and he could not help seeing
the interior Of the room. She was
there. writing buslly, and he saw that
she was clad In the elaborate kimono
which he had given her. Yet it was
not her personal appearance which ar
rested his angry eyes and caused his
step to halt; 1t was, instead, her sur
roundings.
He had grown to accept her prim
simplicity as a matter Of course and
never associated her In his thoughts
with anything feminine. but the room
as 1t lay before him now was n revela-
ton Of daintiness and artful decOra-
ton. Tasteful water colors hung on
the walls. a warm rug was on the floor,
and everywhere were rosy touches OF
color. The plain white bed had been
transformed into a couch Of oriental
luxury. A lace spread OF weblike
texture covered 1t; then pillows were
hidden beneath billowing masses OF
rufles and ribbons. He saw n typical
woman's crazy corner piled high with
cushions. There was n jar OF burning
incense sticks near it-everything, In
fact, was utterly at variance with his
notions OF the owner Even the girl
herself seemed TRANSPORTED, for her
hair was brought forward around her
face In some loose. mysterious fashion,
which gave her a Overwhelmingly girlish
appearance.
O'Neil's eyes photographed all this in
a single surprised glance as he passed.
The next moment he was mounting
the steps to the porch.
Dan flung open the door, but his
words of greeting froze. His smile Of
welcome vanished at sight of his
chiefs forbidding visage.
Murray was in no mood to waste
words. He began roughly:
Did you tell Miss Gerard that Poult
ney Ills is backing meT'
Dan stammered. q perhaps Il
What has gone wrong, chief?'
Ibid you tell her the inside-the sto-
ry OF his agreement with the steam.
boat %peopleY'
Dan paled beneath his tan, but his
eyes met Murray's without finching.
81 think l did-tell her something. ]
don't quite remember. But anything
] may have said was in conf
81 thought so. ! merely wished to
make certain. Well. the whole thing
is In the papers"
Appleton laid his hand upon the ia.
BILE to steady himself.
Then 1t didn't come from her. She
Wouldn't
Gordon has spread the story broad
cast. 1t couldn't have come from any
other source 1t couldn't have reached
him in any other way, for none of my
boys has breathed a word" His voice
rose despite his effort at self control
Ellis agreement was Illegal" he sale
savagely. 1T will probably forfeit the
charter of the North Pass or land hin
In court. | suppose you realize that!
discovered his secret and assured hin
1t vas safe with me. Now you peddl,
1t to Gordon, and the whole thing 1
public. Here's the first result" FL,
shook the London cablegram in DAM
face. and his own was distorted will
rage. There was a stir In Eliza's roon
which neither noticed. Appleton wipet
his face with uncertain hand. III,
moistened his lips to say:
Tin terribly sorry. But I'm sur,
Natalie wouldn't spy. don't remem
Der what ! told her or how l came t
know about the affair. Doc Gray tolt
me, I think, In the first excitement
but-she-wouldn't knowingly
Gordon fred you for talking to-
much. l thought you had learned you
lesson, but it seems you hadn't. DON
blame Miss Gerard for pumping you
her loyalty belongs to Gordon now
But l require loyalty too. Since yo'
lack It you can 60.
O'Neil turned as ELIAS door open
ed. She stood before him. pale. fright
ened. trembling.
Il couldn't help hearing" she said
sYOu discharge us?"
He nodded. I'm sorry! I've truste'
my boys' 50 implicitly that the though