Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-11-01
CHAPTER x-continued.
-.-12---

After a brief conference he turned
back to Lydia and Peter. "a bad bust
nessl" he doubted in an undertone,
wagging his head. "Betty's played the
game straight as 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 ! will stand by Betty; but
you'd better cut along. You won't mind
dropping Lydia at the Great Eastern
hotel, PeterT
"No-I won't precisely what you
might call mind" Peter declared,
Frightening.
II engaged rooms by wireless yester-
day. It'll take day or two, you know,
to readjust my diggings to receive a
daughter. Now clear out-like good
children!"
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-
Hating gaze embarrassed the girl, and
her cheeks were unaccountably aglow,
her fingers tremulous in his firm grasp.
T Betty Merrilees offered 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 dol"
Il DON'T" Lydia insisted, and in the
next breath, you didn't--honestly?
Betty's mood melted transiently.
Honest Injun!" she declared with
mirth 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, fall except these de-
spicable customs menu
Peters town car was waiting at the
yier entrance, and when he had helped
her into it, Lydia, looking out through
the limousine door, viewed section of
the throng of passengers waiting for
taxicabs, in the forefront of which
stood two men.
One faced her and first attracted at
sention by his singularly persistent
stare-a stoutish body, by no means
tall, snug in braided morning coat
the London mode, glossy topper, white
spats and all, down to the silver-mount-
a6 cfint of ms 10 ~ hmm
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
half turned aside so that she could see
little more than the salient line of q
dark, lean cheek, and 2 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 eye-covered
by black patch
Happily Peter chose that moment to
climb into the car, and so blocked out
the disturbing vision. On the other
hand, he was quick to note the evil
dence of her distress.
"Hellol" he cried in deep concern.
whats up? Surely you're not feeling
Ill"
She shook her head vigorously, and
In needless agitation raised gloved
hand and pointed. "Peter, who is that
mantle tall one, there, with the
black patch over his eye?"
(which? oh, seer' Here the car
drew away, so that Black Patch was no
longer visible. 'I'm not dead sure"
Peter resumed, ''Dut he looks a heap
like chap Quoin pointed out in the
smoking room enc night-one of a
brace of deep-sea sharks we had
aboard. Chap with a queer name
Lefty-no, I've got it--Southpaw
Smith. Why do you ask? You GER
tainly can't know the fellowt'
Lydia sank back into her corner.
With head awhirl. mo-" she said,