Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-05-03

hospitality. 1 know when I'm well
of"
linen 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
ner voice as 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 came forward to greet the
new guest. The welcome In her ewes
was very genuine.
"YOu and Mr.. Macdonald know eacb
other, of course" she said after her
handshake.
The Scotsman nodded his lean, griz-
zled head, looking straight into the
eyes of the field agent.
"Yes, I know Mr.. Elliot-now. I'm
not sure that he knows me-yet."
I'm beginning to know you rather
well. Mr.. Macdonald" answered Cor
don quietly.
If the Alaskan wanted TO declare
war he was ready for it. 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 a successful trip, Mr..
ELLIOTT" asked Sheba innOcentiy,
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, Gordon?' echoed his host
ess.
II think so," he answered quietly.
Il hear you put up with old Gideon
Holt. Is he as cracked as he used to
be?" 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
at him. The old man had been talk
ing. had he?
HE was cracked and broke. too"
laughed the mine owner hardly.
Cracked when he came, broke when
he left"
"Yes. that 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 eagerness. "Td
like to. Does he ever come to Kin.
siak?"
"NOnsense!" cut In Diane sharply.
She flashed Gordon look of annoy
ance. Hes nothing but a daft old
idiot, my dear"
The dinner had started wrong, and
though Paget steered the conversation
to safer ground. 1t did not 60 very
we'll.
Gordon was ashamed Of himself. He |
could not quite have told what were
The impulses that had moved him to
larry the war into the camp Of the
enemy. Perhaps. more than anything
Use. II had been certain look Of quiet
in the eyes Of his rival when
le looked at Sheba.
He rose promptly at ten.
Must you 60 so soOn?" Diane asked.
She was smiling at him with bland
nockery.
II really must" answered Elliot.
His hostess followed him into the
lall. She watched him get into his
oat before saying what was on her
mind.
"What did you mean by telling Sheba
hat old Holt knew her father? What
8 he to tell her If they meet-that
er father died of pneumonia brought
n by drink? Is that what you want?"
II suppose I wanted Holt to tell her
hat Macdonald robbed her father and
was the cause of his DEATH"
absurd! !" exploded Diane. You're
o simple that you accept as truth the
ossip of every crack Drained idiot
hen IL suits your purpose"
He smiled. boyishly. engagingly, as
e held out his hand Don't let's
uarrel, Di. admit l forgot myself"
"All right. We won't. But don't .
elieve all the catty talk you hear,
OrdOn."
I'll try to believe only the truth"
lie smiled. little ruefully. "And 1t I
mt necessary for you to explain why I
he curfew law applies to me and not ,
, Macdonald" 9
She was on her dignity at once. 9
You're quite right. 1t isn't necessary.
ut I'm going to tell you. anyhow. Mr.. 4
acdOnald is going away tomorrow for I
20 or three days. and he has some
lsineSS he wants to talk over with [
heba. He had made an appointment
it'll her, and didn't think ii fair to 6
( your coming interfere with it."