The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-08-26

recognize that this had reference to
the Cavendlsh case. The thought of
personal danger never once entered
her mind. Timidity was not part OF
her nature and she gave this phase of
the matter no thought. But she must
communicate with Westcott, tell him
all that had occurred She would send
him note the first thing in the morn
Ing.
Somewhat reassured by this reason
ing she was still seated there staring
out into the night, when Enright and
Beaton returned. Stella heard the
tread of horses feet. before her eyes
distinguished the party approaching,
and she drew back cautiously. In the
| glow of the light she could perceive
| four men in saddle halt In front of
the hotel. three OF whom dlsmounted
and entered the building, the fourth
grasplng the reins of the rlderless ami
mails and leading them up the street.
She heard the murmur of voices be-
low and the heavy steps of the men as
they came slowly up the stairs. Then
door opened creaklngly and she
caught the sound of a woman's voice.
''Is that you, Nedf"
| "Surs; what are you doing up at
this hour2"
"Never mind that. Who have you
got with your
"Enright and Lacy-why"
81 want you all to come in here n
minute; don't make so much noise"
:. voice or two grumbled, but feet
shuflled along the bare floor and the
door crraked again as 1t was carefully
closed behind them. Stella opened her
own door crack and listened; the
hall, lighted only by single oil-lamp
at the head of the stairs, was desert
ed and silent. She stole cautiously for
ward, but the voices In Miss La Rue's
room were mufiled and indistinct, not
an audible word reaching her ears.
The key was In the lock, shutting out
all view Of the Interior Well, what
was the difference? She knew what
was occurring within-the stolen tele-
gram was being displayed, and dis
cussed. That would not delay them
long and 1t would never do for her to
be disco overed In the hall.
Convinced of the uselessness OF re
naming. she returned to her own
room. closing and boltlng the door.
This time she removed some OF her
clothing. and lay down on the bed
conscious of being exceedingly tired
vet In DO degree sleepy. She rested
there. with wide-open eyes. listening
until tho distant door creaked again
and she heard the footsteps of the
men in the hall. They had not re
mained In the chorus girls room long
nor was anything said outside to
arouse her suspicious. Reassured
Miss Donovan snuggled down into hei
inflow, Unable to distinguish where the
men went but satisfied they hac
, sought their rooms. They would at
! tempt nothlng more that night, ant
she had better gain what rest sh'
, could. II was not easy falling asleep
In spite of the silence, but at last sh'
j, dropped of into doze.
, Suddenly some unusual nois'
, aroused her, and she sat upright, un
|
q what had occurred. Then something
tingled at the glass of her window
q sharply distinct. as though pebble
had been tossed upward. Instant.
she was upon her feet, and had crossed
), the room, her head thrust out. 1h
! light in the office had been extin
7 guished. and the night was black, We
she could make out dimly the figure
:, a man close In against the side of tn
n house, mere hulklng shadow. A
the same Instant he seemed to NOV
slightly, and some missile grazed he
: face, and fell upon the floor. strikin
the rug with a dull thud. She DIRE,
= back In alarm, yet immediatel
: erasped the thought that this must b
some secret message, some commun
: sat,on from Westcott
!, Drawing down the torn curtain
q sbe touched match to the lamp an
fought the intruding missile. 1t ha
= rolled beneath the bed-a small ston
"A with u bit of paper securely attached
The girl tore this open eagerly, he
"a eyes searching the few lines.
!, "Must see you tonight. Hav
% learned things, and am going ava!
=. Go down back stairs, and meet me
70 big cottonwood behind hotel; don
n fail. D. W.
RI Her breath came fast as she rea'
10 and crunched the paper into the pail
q, Of her hand. She understood and fe
=, M hesitancy. Westcott had made di
,e coyeries so important he must con
municate them at once and there wa
a no other way. He dare not come
a. her openly at that hour. Well. sf
.. was not afrald-not OF Jim Westcot
a. she paused In her hasty dressing, wol
no dering at herself, dimly aware that
no new feeling partly actuated her desii
or to meet the man again--a feeling tho
.. o oughly alien to the Cavendish my
,e tery. She glanced into the cracke
no mirror and laughed, half ashamed