Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-08-27
CHAPTER TX.


It never occurred to Westcott on his
escape through the darkness that his
nights adventure would in any way
endanger Miss Donovan. He was on
the property Of La Rosita Mining com
pany upon his own account, and not in
reference to the Cavendish case at all
-or. at least, this last was merely in
| cidental.
From where he lay he could see
across the bare, rock-strewn hillside to
the distant hut, outlined by the CLEAN
Of light within. and perceive the black
silhouette of the shafthouse. He could
dimiy distinguish figures as they
passed In and out of the glare of light,
and was aware that Moore had been
found and carried within the hut, but
remained ignorant Of the fact that the
leaving of a knife In the window had
revealed his identity. There was no
attempt at pursuit. which gave him
confidence that Lacy failed to compre-
bend the Importance of what had been
overheard, yet he chung to his hiding
place until all the men had re-entered
the Office.
It was late the next morning before
Westcott rode into Haskell and,
stabling his horse, which bore all the
marks Of hard riding, proceeded to-
ward the TImmons house. He had
utilized, as best he could, the hours
since that cavalcade had departed
from La Rosita to put his own affairs
In order so that he might feel free to
camp on the conspirators trail and
risk all in an effort to rescue Caven-
dish. The night had been a hard one,
but Westcott was still totally uncon-
scious of fatigue-his whole thought
conferred on his purpose. AS he rode
slowly up the street In the bright sum
light his mind reverted to Stella Dono-
van. Eager for the greeting which he
felt assured awaited him, he strobe
through the open door into the office.
The room was vacant, but as he
crossed the floor toward the desk the
proprietor entered the opening leading
into the barroom beyond.
Hello, Jim he cried at sight of
the other. Thought you'd be back,
but d 1t, yer too late-she's-she's
gone; almighty pretty girl, too. told |
the boys 1t was a blame shame fer
her ter run off hathaway"
WHO has run OFF," And Westeott's
hand crushed down on the mans shout
der. What are yeu talking about?"
Mel Let up, will yer7 Yer was /
here hopin' ter see that New York girl. |
wasn't yer2"
Miss Donovanp Yes"
I'D forgot her name. Well, she
amt yere-she's left"
"Left-gone from town."
Sure; skipped out sudden in the
ulght; took the late train East, I reck-
on. Never sed no word to nobody
just naturally packed up her duds an
hiked."
Westcott drew deep breath.
Surely you do not mean she left
without any explanati0n7 She must
have paid her bills
"Oh, she was square enough-sure.
She left money an a note pinned to
her pillow; sed she'd just got a mes
sage calm her home-want ter see
whit she wrote2"
AUN bSl no. luminous
Timmons waddled around behind the
desk and ran his hand into drawer.
Evidently he considered the matter n
huge Joke, but Westcott snatched the
paper from his fingers impatlently and
eagerly read the few hastily penciled
lines:
Have received message calling
me East at once. Shall take the night
train. and inclose sufficient money TO
pay for my entertainment.
IS. D."
He stared at the words, q deep
crease between his eyes. II was d
handwriting, and at first
glance there was nothing impossible In
such an action on her part. Yet 1t was
strange. If she had departed so sud
ienly without leaving any message for
aim. His eyes narrowed with aroused
suspicion as he looked up from the sin
If paper and confronted the amused
rimmons across the desk.
And that was all, was it--iust This
tote and the cash? There .-se nothing
addressed TO me2',
The hotetkeeper shook his head.
When did yon see her last
Bout niue o'clock. reckon; she