Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-08-31

identify you as John Montague Smith
of Lawrenceville-the man who is
wanted by Sheriff Macauley. My IA
ther, in his letter, after telling me
that he will be detained in the noun
tains several days longer, refers to Mr..
Kinzie's request and suggests"
The fugitive was smiling grimly. HE
suggests that you might help Mr.. Kin
zie out"
'Not quite that" she rejoined. "He
merely suggests that l am to be prudent,
and-to quote him exactly-'not get
mixed up in the affair in any way so
that 1t would make talk"
II see," said Smith. And then: "You
have disagreeable duty ahead of you,
and I'd relieve you of the necessity
by running away, if could. But that
is impossible, as have explained"
She was silent for a moment; then
she said: "When / told you a few
days ago that you were going to need
my help, Montague, didn't foresee
anything like this. 1 shall breakfast
with the Stantons in a few minutes !;
and after nine o'clock If you
could contrive to keep out Of the way
until l can get word to you; just so
they won't be able to bring us face to
face with each other"
Smith saw what she meant; saw,
also, whereunto his wretched fate was
dragging him. 1t was the newest of
all the reincarnations, the one which
had begun with Jibbey's silent hand
clasp the night before, which prompted
him to say:
| IF they should ask you about me,
you must tell them the truth, Verda."
Her smile was mildly scornful.
SIS that what the plain-faced little
ranch person would do?" she asked.
Il don't know; yes, guess it is"
Doesn't she care any more for you
than that?"
Smith did not reply. He was stand.
ing where he could watch the comings
and goings of the elevators. Time was
precious and he was chatting at the de-
lay, but Miss HIGHLANDER was not yet
ready to let him go.
Tell me honestly, Montague" she
said; ''is it anything more than a case
of propinquity with this Baldwin girl
on your part, 1 mean"
? 'It isn't anything" he returned so
berly. Corona Baldwin will never
marry any man who has so much t.
explain as have"
"You didn't know this was her home
when. you came out hereT
'No."
"But you had met her somewhere
before you came?"
''Once; yes. 1t was in Guthrieville
over year ago. l met her there at
house where she was visiting"
81 see," she nodded, and then, with
out warming: "What was the matte
with you last night-about dinner
timeW
"Why should you think there wa
anything the matter with me?"
81 was out driving with the Stantons
When l came back to the hotel I foun,
Colonel Baldwin and another man
lawyer, L think he was-waiting TO
me. They said you were needing
friend who could go and talk to yo
and-'calm you down. was the phras
the lawyer used. 1 was good-nature
enough to go with them, but when w
reached your offices you had gone, an
the ranch girl was there alone, wait
ing for her father"
"That was nOnsense!" he comment
ed; their going after you as if wer
a maniac or a drunken man, / mean.
This time Miss Richlander's smil
was distinctly resentful. Il suppos
the cOlonel's daughter answered tn
purpose better" she said. There wa
S an awkward little contretemps, an
/. Miss Baldwin refused, rather rudely,
thought, to tell her father where yo
e had gone"
It Smith broke away from the unwe
n come subject abruptly, sayIne: 'TheI
+ is something else you ought to know
n Jibbey is here, at last"
1 Does he know you are here?"
e 'He does"
l, ''Why didn't you tell me before
l That will complicate things dreadful
Tucker will talk and tell all he knows
he can't help it,
"This is one time when he will n,
talk. Perhaps he will tell you WI
when you see him."
(, Miss Richlander glanced at the fat
J. of the small watch pinned on h,
l. shoulder.