Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-09-14
CHAPTER x-Continued.
p

back to Lydia and Peter. "A bad bust
ness!" 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 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.
Il 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-
trating gaze embarrassed the girl, and
she was fluttered by consciousness that
her cheeks were unaccountably aglow,
her fingers tremulous In his firm grasp.
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 do"
II 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
l don't blame anyone for climbing up
on the fence, either" she added In
cryptic phrase, "all except these de-
spicable customs men!"
Peters town car was waiting at the
pier entrance, and when he had helped
her into 1t, 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
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 understanding 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
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
enough to make her sit up with start,
remembering that she had seen him
once before In precisely that pose, out
side the window of her stateroom. He
turned for moment toward her bring
Ing to her view his right eye-covered
by a 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 evi.
dence Of her distress.
"Helloi" he cried in deep concern
whats up? Surely you're not feeling
tllr
She shook her head vigorously, and
In needless agitation raised a gloyed
hand and pointed. "Peter, who Is that
mantle tall one, there, with the
black patch over his eyer"
(which? oh. I see!" Here the cal
drew away, so that Black Patch was nc
longer visible. I'm not dead sure,
Peter resumed, "but he looks a heaI
like a chap Quoin pointed out in the
smoking room one night-one of q
brace of deep-sea sharks we hat
aboard. Chap with queer name
Lefty-no, I've got it-Southpau
Smith. Why do you ask? You Ger
tainly can't know the fellow!"
Lydia sank back into her corner
with a head awhirl. NO" she said