The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-08-05

lng tHelu tOgelIlpr. 1el, Whatever II
was. there was no doubt but that he
had been very properly snubbed. Her
words stung; yet II was the manner
IN which she had looked et him ana
swept past at Beatons side winch hurt
the most. oh, wei. an enemy more
or less made small difference In his
life; ne would laugh at IL and forget.
She had made her choice of compan.
ionship and II was just ms veil prob
ably. that the affair Rad gone no fur
ther before he discovered the sort Of
girl che really was.
Westcott reached this decision and
the outer Office at the same time ex-
changed n careless word or two with
Timmons, and finally purchased a ci-
gar and retired to one corner TO pc
ruse an old newspaper. II was not so
easy to read. however, for the news
failed to interest or keep his mind
from wandering widely.
Who was this Beaton. and what
connection could be have with Bill
Lacy's gang? The row last night had
revealed mutual interest between
the men, hut what was its nature?
Lacy's purpose he believed he under
stood TO some eNtent--a claim that II
was an extension Of the La Rosita
vein which Westcott had tapped in his
recent discovery. But he had no per-
sonal fear of Lacy; not, at Leaf If
he could once get the backing OF Cav
endish's money. But these other
people-Beaton, Miss Donovan. and
still another expected to arrive soon
from the East-how were they con-
nected with the deal?
He was so deeply engrossed in these
thoughts that he remained unaware
that Tlmmons had left the office. or
that the Chinese man-of-all-work had
silently tiptoed down"the stairs and
was cautiously peering in through the
open doorway to make sure the coast
was clear. Assured as to this. the willy
oriental sldled noiselessly across the
floor and paused beside him.
"Zls Meester Vest-c-ott?" he asked
softly.
That's my name. John; what is itT'
The messenger shook q folded paper
out of his sleeve, thrust It into the
others hand hastily, and. with hur-
ried glance about, started to glide
away as silently as he had come. He
vanished into the dark hall, and there
was the faint clatter of his shoes on
the stairs.
Westcott, fully aroused, cast his
glance about the deserted room, and
unfolded the paper which had been
left in his fingers. His eyes took in
the few penciled words instantly.
'Do not be angry. had the best
Of reasons. Meet me near the lower
bridge at three o'clock. Very impor-
tant. D."
He read the lines over again, his
lips emitting a low whistle, his eyes
darkening with sudden appreciation.
1t had been a trick. then, bit of play
acting But had it2 Was not this
rather the real fraud-thls sudden
change of heart. This note might
have sinister purpose; be intended
to deceive. mol He would not be-
leve this. All his old lurking faith
in her came back in flash of revela-
tion. He would continue to believe I'm
her. trust her, feel that some worthy
purpose had influenced her strange
action. And. above all. he would be |
at the lower bridge cn the hour set. |
He was back at the desk when Tim
mons returned.
"What do | owe you, old man?"
He paid the bill jokingly and in
the best of humor, careful to tell the
that he was leaving for |
his mine and might not return for sew |
eral days. He possessed confidence |
that Timmons would make no secret |
n this In Haskell after his departure. |
lie was glad 10 notice that Beaton
observed him as he passed the Good
Luck saloon and went tramping down
fhe dusty road.
The only carriage belonging to the
town livery passed soon after his ar
rival, evidently bound for the station
and from his covert he recognized
Beaton lolling carelessly in the back
seat. This must mean that the man
expected arrivals on the afternoon
rain, important arrivals whom he de-
sired TO honor. There was no sign,
however, of Miss Donovan; the time
was up. yet with no evidence OF her
Westcott waited patiently. arguing