The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-09-02
CHAPTER TX.
we..eo.s Finds Himself Alone.

"estcot Ftnos hirsef Alone.
It never occurred 10 westcott on his
escape through the darkness that his
nights adventure would in any way
endanser Miss Donovan. He was on
the property % La Rosi,a Mining CON-
pany upon his own account. and not in
refersnce 10 the Cavendish case at all
- or. at least. this last was merely In
cidenial.
From where be 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
dimly 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 d knife in the window had
revealed his identity. There was no
attempt at pursuit. which gave him
confidence that Lacy failed TO compre-
hend the importance Of what had been
overheard, yet he clung to his hiding
place until all the men had re-eniered
the Office
II was late the next morning before
Westcott rode into Haskell and.
srsbllng 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 uucon-
scious Of fatlgue-hIs whole thought
centered on his purpose. As he rode
slowly up the street In the bright sun
light his mind reverted to Stella Dono-
van. Eager for the greeting which he
felt assured awaited him, he strode
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, Jimw he cried at sight of
the other. Thought you'd be back,
but d. It, yer too late-she's-she's
gone; almighty pretty girl, too. / told
the boys II was a blame shame fer
her ter run of thataway"
'Who has run offf" And westcotts
hand crushed down on the mans shoul-
der. what are you talking about?"
Mel Let up, will yer7 Yer was
here hOpln' ter see that New York girl,
wasn't yerT
Miss Donovan7 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. reck-
on. Never sed no word TO nobody
just naturally packed up her duds an
liked"
Westcott drew deep breath
"Surely you do nots mean she left
without any explanation? She must
have paid her bill"
"Oh, she was square enough-sure.
She left money an a note pinned TO
her pillow; sed she'd just got mes
sage callin her home-want ter see
wlut she wrote?'
you bet do, Timmons
Timmons waddled around behind the
desk and ran his hand into drawer.
Evidently he considered the matter a
huge joke, but Westcott snatched the
paper from his fingers impatlently and
eagerly read the few hastily penciied |
lines:
Have received message calling |
me East NJ once. Shall take the night |
train, and inclose sufficient money to
ray for my entertainment.
"S. D."
He stared at the words, deep !
crease between his eyes. II was a |
wonan's handwriting. and at first
glance there was nothing impossible in |
such an action on her part. Yet II was
strange, II she had departed so sud |
denly without leaving any message for
him, His eyes narrowed with aroused |
suspicion as he looked up from the slip
Of paper and confronted the amused
Timmons across the desk.
"And that was all, was it-just this
note and the cashg There ---S nothing
addressed 10 me?"
The hotelkeeper shook his head.
when did you see her last :"
Bout nine o'clock. l reckon; she !