Charlevoix county herald., 1920-08-06
CHAPTER I.
Will o. the Wisp.

the rear of the hurrying crowd of his
fellow passengers there was nothing
peculiar in his appearance. His
clothes were in good taste, his manner
quiet and well-bred his look intelli-
gent pleasant and Indifferent. On the
whole he gave every indication of be-
ing a manly and attractive young gen.
tleman. He walked with the resilient
step of an athlete in training-and in
his mid-twenties.
The gatekeeper told him where he
could check his suitcase. He started
across the arcade to enter the depot.
From outside the, iron fence an ele-
gantly dressed young fellow beside the
nearest train waved q hand to him and
called familiarly: "Hello. old mani
Didn't know you were returning-what
the deucew
The traveller, after moments quiz
zical scrutiny, had started on into the
depot without betraying the slightest.
sign of recognition. The young elegant
who had called to him flushed and bit
his lip. AS quickly his shallow gray
brown eyes hardened and.he recovered
his nonchalant pOise. With a swift
ness that was masked by the utter lack
of hurry in his manner he slipped
through the gate and across the arcade
into the depot.
The sight of the man he had ad-
dressed brought him to an abrupt halt.
He turned aside behind pillar and
paused to light q cigarette. The trav-
eler was at the checking counter de-
posting his suitcase. Having re-
ceived his check he turned away with
the bearing of one who is in a strange
place with no particular desire to do
anything.
Before he had taken half a dozen
steps he was rushed by middle-aged
man who might have passed for pro-
moter or a clubman of rather pro-
nounced tastes. "Why, howdy, Mr..
Lowrie Back in Denver again, l see,
and looking fit as fiddle. Glad your
stay east has done you so much good"
"You are slightly mistaken" re-
piled the traveller, ignoring the others
outstretched hand. 81 do not happen
to be q comer-on, and l care neither
for a little game nor a gold brick,
thank YOU"
He went out through the main exit
Of the old depot, leaving the man who
had accosted him agape and blankly
disconnected.
The traveller tensed with the upwell-
ing of his energy. He noted the line
of taxicabs drawn up outside the depot
grounds, and started forward, brisk
and purposeful. At the same time q
small touring car that had been stand
ing beside the curb before the ladies'
waiting room curved around and rolled
smoothly out across the block pave
ment toward the Welcome arch.
Car and pedestrian reached the
crossing at the same time. The driver,
portly, gray-haired gentleman, footed
warning and swerved over on the
crossing. Checked by the sound of the
horn the traveller came to an abrupt
halt and stood poised, waiting for the
automobile to glide past.
The elderly driver was too intent on
steering the machine to give further
heed to him. But the matronly lady In
the rear seat looked in his direction
and met his gaze full and direct. In.
stantly she flung out her hand and
leaned toward him, her face aglow
with surprise and delight.
"Willl" she cried. "Stop Karl, stop
Don't you see WHIP
The car came to q stand within its
own length, and the dignified driver
twisted about to peer at the traveller
AS he met the young mans look of
well-bred annoyance his joyful aston.
ishment became clouded with doubt
But the doubt vanished and left him
beaming with cocksure delight.
at is VIII !" he exclaimed. "Most
unexpected Such a-a-"
my dear VIII! My dear boy r.
broke in the lady. ITO think that
you"
= For the first time the traveller rallied
from the half daze into which he had
been thrown by this sudden attack. 81
beg your pardon, madam" he inter.
rupted the lady. "You have rather the
advantage of me. Evidently you mis-
take me for some friend who has been
away"
He smiled as IL In sympathetic
amusement, but the others at once be-
came grave. The lady gazed at him In
shocked surprise. The gentleman re
piled to him with dignified irritation
"This Is no occasion for practical
jokes, VIII. Very unlike you'll Merely
because you have grown a mustachs
T. is no reason why you should"
"One moment, sir" broke In the
young man, and he drew out his caro-
case. my name is Clinton-Richart
Clinton. l am stranger in Denver
"It won't do, won't do, VIII" irri
tably rejolned the older man. "You'v,
changed n great deal-wonderful i'm
provement. But Of course it's all ow