The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-09-11

for words. "He was found dead in his
apartments, apparently killed by a
burglar who had rified his safe"
She sat with her chin liz the palm
of one hand. watching him from be-
meath the shadow of lowered lashes.
but his eyes were bent downward at
his plate
Are you through" he questioned
suddenly
Yes; this-this awful news has
robbed me Of all appetite"
Neither had noticed Westcott as he
entered the room. but his first glance
about revealed their presence, and
without an instant of hesitancy the big
miner crossed the room and ap-
preached the table where the two
were sitting.
81 hope | do not interrupt" he said
pleasantly. | had reason TO suppose
you were unacquainted with Mr. Bea-
ton here"
what reason?" her surprised tone
signify Indignant.
II believe the gentleman so in
formed me. 1t CHANGED that we had
a slight controversy last night
''Over me?"
"Over his curiosity regarding you
who you we're; your presence here
l Informed him that it was none OF
his business, and that if he mentioned
your name in my presence again there
was liable to be trouble. We strapped
it out"
"You-yOu strapped it out? You
mean there was fight over me-a
barroom squabble over me?'
"Not in barroom in the hotel of
flee. Beaton drew gun, and had to
slug him."
But the affair originated over me
my name was brought into it," she in.
sisted. "You actually threatened him
because he asked about me?"
81 reckon that was about how II
started" he admitted slowly. "You
see, l rather thought l was a sorter
friend of yours, and that l ought to
stand up for you"
Her eyes were scOrnful, angry.
Indeed! Well, permit me to say
Mr.. Westcott, that | choose my own
friends, and am perfectly competent
to defend my own character. This
closes our acquaintanceship.'
She moved about the end of the
table and touched Beaton's sleeve
with her fingers.
"Would you escort me to the foot OF
the stairs?"s she asked, her voice
softening. 1--WE will leave this bellig
erent individual to his own company
Neither of them glanced back, the
girl still speaking as they disappeared
| but Westcott turned in his chair tt
| watch them cross the room. He haC
no sense of anger, no desire to retail
ate, but he felt dazed and as though
| the whole world was suddenly turned
upside down. So she really belonged
with that outfit, did she? WE'LL il
was a good joke on him.
| Before he finished his meal his moOd
had changed to tolerant amusement
That the girl had, deliberately deceived
him was plain enough, revealed now
| in both her manner and words. II
was clear. she really belonged to the
| Lacy crowd, and had no more use fol
him.
He could scarcely comprehend the
situation how girl of her apparent
| refinement and gentility could ever be
attracted by rough. brutal type sucf
as Ned Beaton so evidently was. There
surely must be some other cause draw
ing them together. Yet, whatever II
was, there was no doubt but that he
had been very properly snubbed. Hel
words stung: yet it was the manner
in which she had looked at him anG
swept past at Beaton's side which hur1
the most. Oh, well, an enemy more
or less made small difference in his
life; he would laugh at it and forget
She had made her choice of cOmpan
icnship, and it was just as well, prob
ably, that the affair had gone no fur.
Their before he discovered the sort Of
girl she really was.
Westcott reached this decision AND
the outer office at the same time, ex
changed a careless word or two with
Timmons, and finally purchased a eli
gar and retired to one corner to- pc
ruse an old newspaper 1t was not sc
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, but what was its naturei