The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-04-25

wanted an invitation to dinner. Yet
she hesitated.
my phone can't be working well,' 81
Gordon told her gayly. "You must
have asked me to dinner. but I didn't
just hear 1t. Never mind. I'll be there.
Seven o'clock. did you say7"
Diane laughed. you're just as
much a boy as you were ten years
ago. Cord. All right. Come along. But
you're to leave ut ten."
mo, can't hear that. My phone
has gone bad again. And If 1 had
heard. I shouldn't think OF doing any
thing SO ridiculous us leaving at that
hour. 1t would be an insult to your
hospitality. I know when I'm well
on"
"Then I'll have to withdraw my in
vitation. Perhaps some other day"
'I'll leave at ten," promised Elliot
meekly.
He could almost hear the smile IN
her voice rs she answered. Every well.
Seven sharp. I'll explain about the
curfew limit some time"
Macdonald was with Miss O'Neill In
the living room when Gordon arrived
at the Paget home.
Sheba cnme forward to greet the
new guest. The welcome in her eyes
was very genuine.
"You and Mr.. Macdonald know each
other. of course" she said after her
hnndshnke.
The Scotsman nodded his lean, griz-
zled head. looking straight into the
eyes of the field agent.
"Yes, know Mr.. EllIot-now. I'm
not sLre that he knows me-yet."
I'm beginning to know you rather
we'll. Mr.. Macdonald" answered Cor
don quietly.
II the Alaskan wanted to declare
war he was ready for 1t. The field
agent knew that Selfridge had kept re-
ports detailing what had happened at
Kamatlah. Up to date Macdonald had
offered him the velvet glove. He won
dered If the time had come when the
fist of steel was to be doubled.
did you have successful trip. Mr..
Elliott" asked Sheba innocently.
Paget grinned behind his hand. The
girls question was like a match to
powder, and everyone in the room
knew 1t but she. The engineers In
terests and his convictions were on the
side of Macdonald, but he recognized
that Elliot had been sent in to gather
facts for the government and not to
give advice to 1t.
"Did you, Gordon7" echoed his host
ess.
II think so." he answered quietly.
/ ytp I'm, vxyfth nj ClIanp
Holt. Is he as cracked as he used to
beT asked Macdonald.
| "Was he cracked when you used to
know him on Frenchman creek?" coun-
tered the young man.
Macdonald shot a quick, slant look
Mt him. The old man had been talk.
ing. had her
"He was cracked and broke, too"
laughed the mine owner hardly
"Cracked when he came. broke when
he left"
"Yes, TINT was one Of the stories he
told me-" Gordon turned to Sheba
"You should meet the old man. Miss
O'Neill. He knew your father at Daw.
son and on Bonanza"
The girl was all en2erness. "Td
| uke 10. DOcS uc ever COuc u hu'
siak?'
''Nonsensei" cut in Diane sharply
She flashed Gordon look of annoy.
ance. "He's nothing but daft old
idiot. my dear"
The dinner had started wrong, and
though Paget steered the conversation
to safer ground, 1t did not go very
well.
Gordon was ashamed of himself. He
could not quite have told what were
the impulses that had moved him to
cnrry the war into the camp of the
enemy. Perhaps, more than anything
else, 1t had been a certain look of quiet
assurance in the eyes Of his rival when
he looked at Sheba.
He rose promptly at ten.
"Must you go 80 soonf Diane asked
She was smiling at him with bland
mockery.
II really must" answered Elliot
His hostess followed him into the
hall She watched him get into hi.
coat before saying what was on hei
mind.
"What did you mean by telling Shebs