Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1917-09-12
CHAPTER X-Continued.

After brief conference he turned
back to Lydia and Peter. "a bad bust
ness! he doubted In an undertone,
wagging his head. "Betty's played the
game straight as a die this trip; but
nothing on earth will make these peo-
pie believe that, after the way she's
carried on in the past. Looks like an
all-day session-no good your sticking
round: nothing either Of you can do.
Quoin and 1 will stand by Betty; but
you'd better cut along. You won't mind
dropping Lydia at the Great Eastern
hotel, Peter?"
Mo- won't precisely what you
might call mind" Peter declared,
frightening.
Il engaged rooms by wireless yester-
day. It'll take day or two, you know,
to readjust my diggings to receive
daughter. Now clear Out-like good
childrenp'
Lydia babe hurried farewells. Giving
Quoin her hand, she hoped he wouldn't
forget to call, as he'd promised. Quoin
was persuaded that such oversight
would be symptomatic of insanity. His
tone was light; but his direct and pene-
ftrating gaze embarrassed the girl, and
she was fluttered by consciousness that
her cheeks were unaccountably aglow,
Ter fingers tremulous in his firm grasp.
Betty MerrileeS offered a cool cheek
to Lydia's lips. "Don't worry about
me!' she protested pettishly. Besides,
In your heart of hearts you believe I'm
guilty-yOu know you do! %
Il dOn't!" Lydia insisted, and in the
next breath, "You didn't-honestly?"
Betty's mood melted transiently.
Honest Injunr' she declared with
mirth in her voice, but downright can
dor in the eyes that held Lydia's. "And
l don't blame anyone for climbing up
on the fence, either" she added in
cryptic phrase, sail except these de-
spicable customs men !"
Peters town car was waiting at the
pier entrance, and when he had helped
her into it, Lydia, looking out through
the limousine door, viewed a section of
the throng of passengers waiting for
taxicabs, in the forefront of which
stood two men.
One faced her and first attracted at
tention by his singularly persistent
Stare-a stoutish body, by no means
tall, snug in a braided morning coat
the London mode, glossy topper, white
Spats and all, down to the silver-mOunt-
ed stick of malacca-wearing a humOr-
GUS eye in his square-jawed, scarlet
face-one who would readily pass cur
rent as an elderly and retired gentle
man Of means, with a penchant for
good cooking and outdoor life.
His companion, some inches taller
and built upon more rakish lines, stood
MALT turned aside so that she could see
little more than the salient line of
dark, lean cheek, and long and mar
row back-head. But that was quite
enough to make her sit up with a start,
remembering that she had seen him
once before in precisely that pose, out
Hde the window of her stateroom. He
lrned for a moment toward her bring
ing to her view his right eye-covered
Oy black patchl
Happily Peter chose that moment to
climb into the car, and so blocked out
NE disturbing vision. On the other
4and, he was quick to note the evil
uence of her distress.
'HellO!' he cried in deep concern.
what's up? Surely you're not feeling
mm
She shook her head vigorously, and
u Needless agitation raised a gloved
uand and pointed. "Peter, who is that
man-the tall one. there, with the
O1ack patch over his eyer
Nhich9 Oh, I seer Here the car
GreW away, so that Black Patch was no
puger visible. Tin not dead sure"
refer resumed, ''but he looks a heap
1Ae & chap Quoin pointed out in the
sucking room one night-one of a
Y,ace Of deep-sea sharks we had
1ooard Chap with a queer name
retIy--ao, I've got it-Southpaw
1l"la. Why do you ask? You GER
",l'E can't know the fellowl"
Lyola sank back into her corner.
'''n head awhirl. NO." she said,