The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-08-09
CHAPTER x-contlnued.

DICK 10 Lyulu anu tteTs n Duu DuSi-
ness!" he doubted in an undertOne,
wagging his head. "Betty's played the
game straight rs 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 I will stand by Betty; but
you'd better cut along. You won't mind
dropping Lydia at the Great Eastern
hotel. Peter?"
"No-I won't precisely what you
might call mind" Peter declared.
Frightening.
II engaged rooms by wireless yester-
day. It'll take a day or two, you know,
to readjust my diggings to receive a
daughter. Now clear out-like good
children I"
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-
trating gHze embarrassed the girl, and
she was fiuttered by consciousness that
her cheeks were un~accountably aglOw,
her fingers tremulous In his firm grasp.
Betty Merrilees offered a cool cheek
to Lydia's lips. Don't worry about
mel" she protested pettishly. Besides.
In your heart of hearts you believe I'm
guilty-you know you dow
II don't!" Lydia insisted. and in the
next breath. "You didn't-honestly?"
Betty's mood melted transiently.
Honest Injun! I" she declared with
nirth In her voice, but downright can
dor In the eyes that held Lydia's. "And
I don't blame anyone for climbing up
on the fence, either" she added in
cryptic phrase. "all except these de-
splcable customs men !" j..
Peters town car was waiting at the
pier entrance, and when he had helped
her into II. 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.
rem al 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 raklsh lines, stood
half turned aside SO that she could see
little more than the salient line of q
dark. lean cheek, and a 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
side the window Of her stateroom. He
turned for a moment toward her bring.
ing to her view his right e~ye-covered
by q black patchi
Happily Peter chose that moment tc
climb into the car, and 30 blocked Out
the disturbing vision. On the othel
hand. he was quick to note the evi
dence Of her distress.
Hello" he cried In deep concern
what's upf Surely you're not feeling
III"
She shook her head vigorously, ant
In needless agitation raised a glovet
hand and pointed. "Peter, who is tina
mantle tall one. there, with tn
black patch over his eyef"
"Whichi Oh. I seew Here the ca
Arew away. SO that Black Patch was NJ
longer visible. "Tm not dead sure.
Peter resumed. "but he looks a heal
like q chap Quoin pointed out In tn,
smoking roo one night-one Of
brace Of deep-sea sharks we hat
aboard. Chap with a queer name
Lefty-no. I've got it-Southpay
Smith. Why do you askf You Ger
tainly caS'I know the felloww
Lydia sank back into her corner
with q head awhirl. NO." she said