The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-07-24


bag.
farrlSs' letter contained nothing Of
interest except the fact that EnrighI
mad also left for the West. He in
Structed her to be on the lookout for
MN in Haskell, added line or two
OF suggestions, and ordered her to pro
ceed with caution. as her quest might
prove to be q dangerous one
Miss Donovan thought rapidly and
clearly. more than ordinarily eager to
solve this mystery. 1t was Frederick
Cavendish who had formerly been the
partner of Jim Westcott. This was
why no answer had come to the tele-
grams and letters the latter had sent
East. What had become of them? Had
they fallen into the hands of these
Beaton's presence in Haskell, and also
why the La Rue woman had been
hastily sent for?
WeStcOtt'S discovery was not even
proven yet; its value had not been
definitely established; it was Of com
parativeIy small Importance contrast
ed with the known wealth left by the
murdered man in the East. No. there
must be some other cause 70: this sud
den visit TO Colorado. But what? She
gave little credence to the vague suS-
picions advanced by Valois; that was
altogether too impossible too molOdra-
matte, this thought of the substitution
of some other body. No doubt there
had been Il crime committed, its object
the attainment Of money, but without
question the cost had been the life of
Frederick Cavendish.
The harsh cang of the dinner-belI
from the porch below aroused her to
sense of hunger.
Ten minutes later Timmons, guilt
less of any coat, but temporarily lay
ing aside his pipe as a special act Of
courtesy, escorted her into the dining
room and seated her at a table be-
tween the two front windows. Evi-
IDENTIFY this was reserved for the more
distinguished guests-trayeling men
and those paying regular day rates
for its only other occupant was an in
dividual in a check suit.
A waitress, red-haired slOvenly
girl, with an impeachment in her speech,
took her order and disappeared in the
direction of the kitchen, and Miss
Donovan discreetly lifted her eyes to
observe the man sitting nearly op-
poSite. He was not prepossessng,
yet she instantly recognized his type,
and the probability that he would adj
dress her # the slightest opportunity
occurred.
The waitress spread out the various
dishes before her, and she glanced at
them hopelessly. AS she lifted her
gaze she met that Of her vis-a-vis fair
ly, and managed to smile.
"Some chuck" he said in an at
tempt at ood-fellowship. but not
to remind you of the Waldorf Astoria"
Il should say not" she answered,
testing one Of her dishes cautiously
But why associate me with New
York;"
you can't hide those things in a
Joint like this. When did you leave
New York;
"Oh. more than a week ago." she
lied gracefully.
He stroked his mOustache.
"Then I suppose you haven't much
late New York news? Nothing start
| ling. l mean?
No; only what has been reported in
the western papers. | do not recall
anything particularly interesting" She
| dropped her eyes to her plate and
busted herself with piece of tough
beef. ''The usual murders. of course,
and things Of that kind"
There was moments silence. then
| the man laughed as though slightly i'll
nj ease. whatever brought girl like
you down in here?"
She smiled.
I'm feature writer; I'm doing a
series on the West for Scribbler's,"
She told him. II visit New Mexico
next but I'm after something else be-
sides a description of mountains and
men L III GISp GUNS " NUM- dt' a'' 49,
friend interested in mining. who told
me if ever | got out this way I must
look him up He was continually sing
ing this valleys charms. and so here
| am. And I'm planning great sur
nrise on him. And, Of course. I'm lit
erollv drinking in atmosphere-tO say
nothing of local color. which seems
mostly to be men and revolvers."
The man opposite wet his lips with
his tongue In an effort to speak. but
tbe girl AS busy eating and appar-
emily paid 40 attention. Her calm In
difference OAginced him that her
| words were entirely innocent. and his
audncity returned.
! well" he ventured. do you agree
vtt;, this prospector friend?
.The scenery. you mean?" glancins
mn brightly. "Why, 1t Is wonderful Of
, course. and l am not at all sorry hav-
ing made the journey. although 1t
hardly compares with Tennessee Pass