Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-06-11


directly. Indeed. he followed almost
on the heels Of the messenger.
why, hello, Hilliard." he said. rath.
er stiltedly. did you want 70 see me7
That's too bad-Pve got to leave here
In just couple of seconds to catch
my train. I'm going West tonight"
I'll take you over" said HnlIard.
shortly. "rhatll save you a minute or
two--and give US time to chat. NY
cars outside"
"Why-under the circumstances
-" Armstrong; glance vas divert.
ed. Il don't think can let you do
that-take me over, l mean. I'm
going West on business trip and /
don't think 1t would be very appropri-
ate for you to
"Oh--you arel" Hilliard felt streaks
of ice coursing along his spine. "How
far West?"
Armstrong consulted his watch merry.
ously.
"Hilliard," he said, IT like to 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. If I'm wrong
IT'S up TO you TO say so. One of 'em
Is that Rufus Waring has asked me to
stop off 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 reason2"
Armstrong suddenly Strengthened;
and his voice had a curious ring to ii
IA ring which electrified billiard and
awoke the most petrifylng alarms
within him.
But does one ordinarily mention
certain kinds of people--in a mems
club? | don't know how 1t Is where
you come from-but here. we don't"
billiard smiled vapidly; 1t was the
utmost perverslty of emotion. for he
knew now why Carol had been so ex-
piicit In her sympathy why she
had been so metlculous to let him
realize that she wanted him as a
friend; only as a friend l.. and here
was Armstrong concealing with diff
Guilty the triumph he was limiting at.
mo" he said harshly. zone doesn't,
but there ism. anything to keep us
from mentioning anybody we like out
side the club, is there?'
'Why--not that T."
"Then I'll take you down anyway"
said billiard. "And let's see IL we
can't try to understand each other"
1t took brave man to accept the
offer for billiards. eyes held little to
recommend their owner as prudent
driver. or as a very pleasant compan-
ion. Armstrong, however. VAS already
putting on his hat.
They had driven over TO the station
in silence. billiard, 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 q momentary de-
lay, put out a eonciliatlng hand. "Old
man." he said, Tets play the rest of
this out like two sensible people. We
won't set anywhere by pickering. and
] suppose it won't do any harm for us
TO put all the cards on the table, and
kEow exactly where we stand. OF
course, you haven't known me very
long, and 1 haven't known you :.
but suppose, Just to help along the un-
derstanding. we take each other at
face value"
billiard WINGED.
"Well--suppose we do. Then whlt?"
Then you can't hold 1t up against
me for stopping off at Butte Cd my
way out. haven't any motive "a it
promised to do 1t as a favor to RUFF
Warning. II isn't perscaal Issue at
all. know exactly bow it must APP
pear to you, but =. I'm not that sort
Of man. billiard. wouldn't have
dreamed of It myself. That's straight"
The masquerader regarded him
earnestIy--and yielded to his evident
sincerity.
"Way down deep" he said, at length,
Il know you're not. but :. what's
that for2' He referred to Arm
strongs outstretched hand. "Ohi :.
all right" They shook hands solemn
ly. cat the same time II would have
been so perfectly natural for you to
feel like getting whatever Leverage
you could"
There's no need Of that--now."
said Armstrong. His smile was proud
and brilliant, and billiard withered
under it.