The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-09-18

! moment later, WeStcOtt was Strid-
ing up the trail, intent upon a plan
TO entrap Lacy.
They would have felt less confident
in the future could they have over
heard a conversation being carried on
in room Of the Timmons house. 1t
was Miss La Rue's apartment, pos
sessing two windows, but furnished in
a style so primitive as to cause that
fastidious young lady to burst into
laughter when she first entered and
gazed about. Both her companions
followed her, laden with luggage, and
Beaten, sensing instantly what had
thus affected her humor, dropped his
bag on the floor.
"Its the best there is here" he pro-
tested. '"Timmons has held it for you
| three days. If you feel like kicking
about this room, you ought to see some
Of the Others-mine, for instance, or
\ the one Timmons put that other wom-
an in
ooh yes" she said, finding a seat
and staring at him. THAT reminds
me. Did you say there was a girl here
from New York? Sit down. Mr.. En-
right, and let's talk. How's the door,
| Ned?"
| He opened it and glanced out into
/ the hall, throwing the bolt as he came
! back.
"All right, Celeste, but / wouldn't
/ talk quite so loud; the partitions are
not very fight"
mo objections to cigarette, | sup
pose and she produced case.
Thanks; now l feel better-certain-
~, light up. Well, Ned, the first thing
| want to know is, who is this other
New York skirt, and how did she hap
pen to blow in here just at this tfme?'
Beaton completed the lighting of his
cigar. fingng the match carelessly out
of the window.
'Oh, she's all right" he said easily.
"Just an innocent kid writer for
Scribbler'S who's trying to make good
writing about the beautiful scenery
around here. Her name is Donovan.
Her fathers big contractor and has
money to burn"
did you ever hear the beat of that,
Enright? Neddy is about TO feather
his nest Well, go on
'"Fhat's about all, I guess, only she
amt nothin' you need be afraid Of"
"Sure not. with watchdog like you
on guard. But if you ask me, don't
like the idea of her happening in here
Just at this time. This is no place
for an innocent child" and she looked
about, her lip curling. Lord, l should
say not. Do you happen to remember
any New York contractor by that
name, Mr.. Enright?'
The rotund lawyer, his feet elevated
on the window-silI, cigar between
his lips, shook his head in emphatic
dissent
mot lately; there was Tim Dono-
van, who had pull in the subway
-eKcavation-he was Tammany man
--but he died, and was never married.
What's the girl look like?''
q Rather slender, with brown hair,
sorter cOppery in the sun, and gray
eyes that grow dark when she's in
terested. About twenty-three or four,
should say"
'Did you get her full nameT
"Sure; it's on the register-Stella
Donovan"
Enright lowered his feet to the floor,
puzzled look on his face, his teeth
clinched on his cigar.
Hold on bit till Think" he NUT
tered. THAT sounds mighty familiar
Stella Donovan! By the Lord, I've
heard that name before somewhere;
ali. have it-she's on the New York
Star. I've seen her name signed to
articles in the Sunday edition. I'll
bet she's the girl"
"A New York newspaperwoman
well. what do you suppose she is do
ing out here? After us?"
Enright had grip on himself again
and slowly relit his cigar. leaning
back, and staring out the window. His
mind gripped the situation coldly.
"Wel., we'd best be careful" he said
slowly. Probably it's merely coin
cidence. hut / don't like her lying to
Beaton. That don't look just right.
Wen lay quiet and try the young lady
out. Beaton here can give her an in
PRODUCTION to Miss La Rae, and the
rest is easy"
WestcOtt's purpose in visiting the
La Rosita mine was a rather vague
one. His thought had naturally asso-
ciated Bill Lacy with whatever form
of deviltry had brought BcatOn to the
neighborhood of Haskell, and he felt
convinced firmly that this special
brand of deviltry had some direct con-
nection with the disappearance OF
Frederick Cavendish. Just what the
connection between these people might
prove to be was still a matter Of
doubt, but as Miss Donovan was seek
that remained for him to do at pres
emf was an investigation of Lacy. The
careful review of all Miss Donovan
had told him only served TO increase
his confidence that his old partner
still lived No other conception seemed
possible or would account for the
presence of Ned Beaton in Haskell. or
the hurried call for Miss La Rue. Yet