The Lamar register., 1920-04-28
Copyright. By Randall Parrish,

A waitress, a red-halred, slOvenly
girl. with an impediment 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 prepossessing
yet she instantly recognized his type,
and the probability that he would ad-
dress her II 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 vls-a-vis fair
ly, and managed to smile.
Some chuck" he said In an at.
tempt Mt good-fellowship. ''but not
TO remind you OF the Waldorf-A.toria." !"
II 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 n
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. I mean?"
mo; 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 a 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
at ease. "Whatever brought girl like
you down in hereY'
She smiled.
I'm a feature writer; I'm doing
series on the West for Scribbler's,"l
she told him. II visit New Mexico
next, but I'm after something else be
sides a description Of mountains and
men; I'm also going to hunt up an old
friend Interested in mining, who told
me II ever / got out this way | must
look him up. He was continually sing
ing this valleys charms. and so here
j am. And I'm planning a great sur
orally drinking In atmospheric say
nothing of local color. which seems
mostly to be men and revolyers."
The man opposite wet his lips with
his tongue In an effort to speak. but
the girl vas busy eating and appar-
emily paid no attention. Her calm In
difference convinced him that her
words were entirely innocent. and his
audaclty returned.
"well," he ventured, "do you agree
with this prospector frlendf"
''The scenery. you meanf" glancing
up brightly. "Why, 1t is wonderful. of
course, and / am not at all sorry hav-
ing made the journey. although it
hardly compares with Tennessee Pass
or Silver Plume. Still, you know, II
will be pleasant to tell Mr.. Cavendish
when l go back that WAS here"
He choked and his face seemed to
whiten suddenly.
"Mr. Cavendlshi" he gasped. "Of
New York? Not the one that was
killedf"
1t was her turn TO stare across the
table, her eyes wide with horror, which
she simulated excellently.
"KIlledi Has a man by that neme
been killed lately in New York? 1t
was Frederick Cavendish l referred
to-" Her pretense was admirable.
He was silent. realizing he had al
ready said too much.
"Tell me-" she insisted, has he
been killed. How do you knowT
Her earnestness, her perfect acting,
convinced him. 1t was a mere coin.
cidence. he thought, that this name
should have cropped up between them,
but. now that II had, he must ex.
plain the whole affair so as not TO
arouse suspicion. He cleared his
throat and compelled his eyes to meet
those across the table.
"welI, don't know much about 1t,
only what read" he began, feeling
for words. HE was found dead In mis-
apartments, apparently killed by a
burglar who had rifled hl0 safe"
She sat with her chin in the palm
of one hand, watching him from be
meath the shadow OF lowered lashss,
but his eyes were bent downward at