The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-03-16

ton from the hotel clerk. Wnen ~
heard around an angle OF the desk
woman speaking.
lis there anyone here by the name
Of Whitleyr she asked.
The clerk assured her there was no
such name on the register.
"Why that Is strnnge," she persist
ed. "They said at the station that was
the name given over the telephone"
"People don't always speak plainly
over the phone" laughed the clerk.
Whitbeck wheeled, and faced the
girl.
It was Mary Warreni She gasped,
caught Mt the desk, and her face went
white. The clerk stared from one to
the other.
1T was mistake in the name, Miss
Warren. / presume you came about
the lost valise7" Whitbeck said In the
most matter Of fact way In order to
shield the girl. II did surprise you.
didn't II"
She stammered out that he had, and
allowed herself to be led into seclud-
ed corner Of reception room. He
looked ut her questioningly, but she
did not speak. The terror In her eyes
was TINT OF an animal at bay.
Finally he said: 'Does that valise
belong to your
"What difference does that maker
she asked. "Just give 1t to me-"
mot till you answer me-"
1T Is not mine."
1T belongs to some man." he ven
tured. A coward who let's you come In
his place."
mol not coward! !" she blazed out.
II made him let me come. You have
opened it!'
"Yes. who Is her"
II won't tell, Now do with me what
you like"
II don't mean to do anything unless
you make me. But you must cont1de
In me. only want to help you"
Something in his tone swept away
the barriers, and she told him her
story. While In his Office she became
aware that man whose welfare
was very dear to her had become
involved In something dangerous. She
went Mt once to him to try to dlssuade
him from it. But she found him too
deeply involved to listen to her persua-
sions.
you see," she said, "he had been a
long time out OF work. He become
very bitter against the existing state Of
things. He believes that something
better must come for the working man,
or the whole social fabric will be shat
tered by an awful war"
1T Is true something better must
come. Both labor and capital must be
enlightened. But the bombsis not the
way"
NO. she agreed. "But can you
make these poor creatures believe itY
"Will you let me talk to him7' he
asked
''Will you promise not to-"
He broke In on her appeal. "Haven'1
already promised? Take me to him
l will get the valise"
mol mol" she protested. Il mus
first find out If he will see you. vii
call you up ut seven and tell you
And not waiting for further words she
rose and left the place.
Whitbeck was torn with conflicting
emotions. He was about to try to saw
the man she loved, no doubt a creatur,
in no way worthy OF such woman
When the time drew near he stayed II
his room, watching for the ring of tn
telephone, but the minutes licked OF
till eight o'clock was passed. He CAV
a start when 1t rang. She had no
been able till then to persuade him t.
him at the uptown side Of the Fultol
street subway station, at nine O'Clock
True to her word she was there whel
Whitbeck appeared with the valise
She took him several blocks away t
an old red brick house, and lettin
herself In with latch-key, they wer
soon In a room at the back. A youn
man with set defiant face met them.
1T you've come to preach to me,
he said, its no use"
i've not come for that ( want t
help you. Prove me. l mean it."
MARY said you were that kline
She's good sister, and"
"Sister |" broke In Whltbeck.
Eyes, she was afraid to tell you, be
cause"
eWhitbeck was too excited to lister
Being so excited 1t Is not easy t
: chronicle how he asked her to be hi
: wife, how she consented. and how tn
brother-in-law became quite as valu
! able In the office as she had been.