The Washington times., 1918-07-31
The PlOtters
SERIAL OF EAST AND WEST
Clifford Corners His Father As To
The Purpose of Elizabeth's
Presence

she had been so anxious to have
him understand the situation
Yes, he had always fancied there
was something strange about II All
As he had not known what II was,
he had determined to ind out
He remembered that his mother'u
cousin had several daughters. This
girls hrusque declaration that she
had no sister had been the last BIT
OF evidence that he had needed to
prove that she was not q relative.
but was acting a part.
Why was she doing this?
He was certain that he had the
answer to this question in the let
ter that she had received this morn
ing. 1t was written by a man The
handwriting indicated that So did
her keen interest in its contents
He Has a Doubt.
Clifford had not noted the send
er's address on the letter until he
had picked 1t mp from the steps
where the girl had dropped It. Then,
in the light of the revelation she
had made to him an hour earlier,
he had read the address on the
corner OF the envelope.
He had heard his father say that
Douglas Wade lived in Wyoming
Then this girl was
He broke on his reflections
abruptly. confronted by the ques-
tion-why did his parents have her
here?
One thing was clear to his so
phisticated mind. They believed the
girl to be good and pure-just
what she appeared to be- He him
self would have believed the same
of her but for circumstantial evi-
dence. He had thought this OF her
until the receipt OF that letter this
morning.
Then the thought had come to him
that some man had sent her here
and with a purpose
That man must be Douglas Wade.
His only purpose must be to give
the girl a quiet, secluded home in
the country, where she could rest
and be safe during the summer
until he could join her for his va
cation.
"Clifford's parents could not sus-
pect this. II was doubtful II John
Butler knew it. II was also plain
that Douglas Wade thought But
they would make no Impression
upon this pretty girl
Clifford Chaplin was acutelyuncom-
Portable. He did not know whether
his conscience or curiosity determined
him to learn what Inducements had
been offered his father to persuade
him to become party TO Wade's scheme
or course what his father Tus-
gested, his mother would agree -
His Father COrnered
Clifford looked about him II vs.
nontime-the hour that Amos Chspa
was in the habit Of taking a short res-
in the house. Even now he vas co.'s
ing up the long path from the ba -
across the road. His. son fastened d.
the walk to meet him.
He would surprise his parent befFa4
he had time to think out an evaS
reply to his questions
well, Cliff" the farmer greeted -
son, as he reached his side.
Pa the exclamation was so Eus-
den that the elderly man started no
lentiy. That girl upstairs Is not -ay
cousin! l know that
We'll. we'll, and what Of it?" tsof
farmer stammered.
Why do you have her here?" the
son demanded.
Why shouldn't we have her here?"
the farmer clustered. He was on his
guard now. She's a nice girl all right.
and no trouble, and a help to your
mother Now you just keep your
mouth shut about her-understand,
Cliff
why do you have her here?- Cliff
ford repeated
Because" the farmer stopped short
and laid his hand on his sons arm,
Wade wants her here And just now
it's my plan to keep on the right side
Of Wade till I'm done with him.
do you know who the girl 80 Cliff
ford questioned.
"Of course LIDO, you fool, You
can keep a secret, so I'll tell you
She's Wade's sister. Why, what
ails you?'
For Clifford Chaplin had burst into
a loud laugh. 1t was not the laugh
OF amusement, but OF absolute in
credulity.
However. he did not explain this
to his father.
To BE Continued.