The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-08-05

Mr.. Armstrong. II seemed. was In the
library and would come down
directly. Indeed, he followed almost
on the heels OF the messenger.
"why, hello. Hilliard," he said, rath-
er stiltedly. did you want TO see mel
That's too bad-rve got TO leave here
in just a couple Of seconds to catch
my train. I'm going West tonight"
"I'il take you over" said billiard,
shortly. "That1l save you a minute or
two--and give us time to chat My
cars outside"
"why-under the circumstances
>. :" Armstrong; glance was divert
ed. II don't think can LET you do
that-take me over, ! mean. I'm
going West on a business trip and I
don't think II would be very appropri-
ate for you to-"
"Oh--you are !" Hllllard felt streaks
Of ice courslng along his spine. How
far westr
Armstrong consulted his watch nerv.
ously.
"Iilliard," he said, ct like 10 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. II I'm wrong,
It's up 10 you to say so. One Of 'em
is that Rufus Warlng has asked me TO
stop on at Butte-rm going a good
deal further than that-and look up
some matters for him. ! guess you
know as well as ! do what they are.
billiard fumbled his hat. 81 see.
And-the other reasonr"
Armstrong suddenly Strengthened;
and his voice had a curious ring to 1t
"A ring which electrified billiard and
awoke the most petrifying alarms
within him.
"But does one ordinarily mention
certain kinds Of people-in a mems
clubi / don't know how II is where
you come from-but here. we don't"
| Hllliard smiled vapidly; II 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 metlculous to let him
realize that she wanted him as a
I friend: only as a 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 therer'
"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"
II took n brave man to accept the
offer, for billiards eyes held little to
recommend their owner as a prudent
driver, or as a very pleasant compan-
ion. Armstrong. however. was already
putting on his hat.
|
They had driven over to the station
In silence. Hllliard, 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 a momentary de-
lay, put out a conciliating hand. "Old
man." he said. lets play the rest Of
this out like two sensible people. We
won't get anywhere by pickering, and
l suppose II 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 I'M
Outstanding. we take each other at
face value"
Hllliard WINGED.
"Well-suppose we do. Then whatf"
'Then you can't hold It up against
me for stopping on at Butte on my
way out haven't any motive in it
! promised 10 do II as favor to Rufe
Waring. II isn't a personal issue at
all. ! know exactly how 1t must ap-
pear to you. but :. I'm not that sort
of man. billiard. / wouldn't have
dreamed OF II myself. That's straight !"
The masquerader regarded him
eanestly-and yielded to his evident
sincerity.
sway down deep" he said. at length.
II know you're not, but what's
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