The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-10-12
CHAPTER E-Continued.

After q DTlGl COhASA NASO
hack to Lydia and Peter. "A pao ousl-
ness," he doubted in an unoertone
wagging his head. "Betty's playeu tne
pame straight as die this trip ou'
nothing on earth will make these peo-
Dle believe that, after the way sne
carried on in the past. LOOKS IKE "n
all-day session-no good your sticAine
round: nothing either OF you can Wv
Ouoin and 1 will stand by Betty' pu.
vou'd better cut along. You won't mlnu
dronninc lydia at the Great Eastern
hotel, PeterT
"No-I won't precisely what you
might call mind" Peter declared
Frightening. a
Il engaged rooms by wireless yester-
dav. tn take day or two, you Know
to readiust my diggings to receive
daughter. Now clear out-hKe soou
children!' -
lydia babe hurried farewells. Giving
Ouoin her hand, she hoped ne Woulun
forget to call, as he'd promised. ouoln
was persuaded that such OVERSIGHT
would be symptomatic Of insanity his
tone was sight; but his direct and pene-
trating gaze embarrassed the girl, ana
she was fluttered by CONSCIOUSNESS liia'
her cheeks were unaccountaDly aslo"'
her fingers tremulous in his firm grasp
Rettv Merrilees offered cool cheek
to Lydia's lips. Don't worry Hoou'
me !" she protested pettishly. beSiu r
in vour heart of hearts you believe LII
guilty-you know you do!
.I don't" Lydia insisted, and IN the
naxt breath, "You didn't-honestlyT
Betty's mood melted translehtly'
"Honest Iniun!" she declared WIN
roirth in her voice, but downright can
dor in the eyes that held Lydia S. Anu
don't blame anyone for climbing up
on the fence, either" she adueu III
cryptic phrase, "all except these oe-
spicable customs men!
peter's town car was waiting at the
nier entrance. and when he had helped
her into it, Lydia, looking out through
the limousine door, viewed Sectloh Vi
the throng of passengers waiting Tor
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
snats and all, down to the silver-mount,
ed stick of malacca-wearing humor'
ous eve 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 etteOor life.
His companion, For1e inches taller
and built upon more rakish lines, stood
half turned aside so that she could see
little more than the salient line OF Q
dark lean cheek, and long and mar
row back-head. But that was quite
arouoh TO make her sit up with start
remembering that she had seen him
onca before in precisely that pose, out
,,de the window Of her stateroom. de
tr-nad for a moment toward her bring
ing TO her view his right eye-cO'ereu
by a black patch!
HappiIy Peter chose that moment &c
climb inso the car, and so blocked out
the disturbing vision. O1 the other
hand. he was quick to note the eVl'
dence Of her distress.
aHerloI" he cried in deep concern
whats up7 Surely you're not feeling
mr.
She shook her head vigorously, and
In Needless agitation raised glOyed
hspd and pointed. "Peter, who is that
mantle tall one, there, with the
hlack patch oTAr his eyer