Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-09-17

library and would come dowr
directly. Indeed. he followed almos
on the heels Of the messenger.
"Why. hello. Hilliard." he said. rath-
er stiltedly. Did you want to see mel
That's too bad-Tve got to leave here
In just a couple of seconds to catch
my train. I'm going West tonight"
"Tll take you over" said Hilliard.
shortly. 'Thatll save you minute or
two-and give us time to chat Ny
cars outside"
"Why-under the circumstances
i. -" Armstrong; glance was divert
ed. II don't think 1 can let you do
that-take me over. mean. I'm
going West on a business trip and
don't think it would be very appropri-
ate for you to-"
"Oh-you arew Hilliard felt streaks
Of Ice coursing along his spine How
far westY"
Armstrong consulted his watch ner--
ously.
"Hilliard," he said. 81 like to do
things out In the open. There are
just two reasons why don't think you
really want to invite me to ride down
to the station with you. If I'm wrong.
It's up to you to say so. One of 'em
is that Rufus Waring has asked me to
stop off at Butte-Fm going a good
deal further than that-and look up
some matters for him. i guess you
know as well as l do what they are.
:"
Hilliard fumbled his hat 81 see.
And-the other reason?"
Armstrong suddenly Strengthened;
and his voice had curious ring to it
"a ring which electrified Hilliard and
awoke the most petrifying alarms
within him.
"But does one ordinarily mention
certain kinds of people-in a mems
club? I don't know how it is where
you come from-but here, we don't"
Hilliard smiled vapidly; it was the
utmost perversity of emotion. for he
knew now why Carol had been so ex-
plicit in her sympathy why she
had been so meticulous to let him
realize that she wanted him as
friend; only as friend :. and here
was Armstrong, concealing with diff
Guilty the triumph he was limiting at.
No" he said harshly. zone doesn't,
but there isn't anything to keep us
from mentioning anybody we like out
side the club, is there?"
'Why-not that L"
''Then I'll take you down anyway"
said Hilliard. "And let's see II we
can't try to understand each other"
1t took a brave man to accept the
offer. for billiards. eyes held little to
recommend their owner as prudent
driver, or as very pleasant compan-
lon. Armstrong. however, was already
putting on his hat.
They had driven over to the station
In silence. Hilliard. parking the rum
about carefully, turned to his passen-
ger.
We've got ten good minutes" he
said. Your train isn't even in yet
go ahead and talk"
Armstrong, after momentary de-
lay, put out a conciliating hand. "Old
man." he said. ''let's play the rest of
this out like two sensible people. We
won't get anywhere by pickering, and
l suppose it won't do any harm for us
to put all the cards on the table, and
know exactly where we stand. OF
course, you haven't known me very
long and l haven't known you
but suppose, just to help along the un-
derstanding. we take each other at
face value"
Hilliard WINGED
"Well-suppose we do. Then what 2"
Then you can't hold 1t up against
me for stopping Off at Butte on my
way out. 1 haven't any motive in 1t
/ promised to do 1t as a favor to Rufe
Waring. 1t isn't personal issue at
all. I know exactly how 1t must ap-
pear to you. but I'm not that sort
of man, Hilliard. l wouldn't have
dreamed of it myself. That's straight !"
The masquerader regarded him
earnestly-and yielded to his evident
sincerity.
way down deep" he said. at length.
81 know you're not. but what's
that for?' He referred to Arm
strong's outstretched hand. "Ohi :.
all right" They shook hands solemn
ly. "At the same time it would have
been so perfectly natural for you to
feel like getting whatever leverage
you could"
There's no need of that-now."
said Armstrong. His smile was proud
and brilliant. and billiard withered
under it.
''Well. | wasn't sure"