Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-07-15

4 eyes and that she was looking with
relief at a little college pin was
wearing. She was blushing now from
confusion at her mistake, and the ris.
Ing red In her cheeks added greatly
to her exquisite loneliness.
Il was to meet someone here" she
faltered; "you quite understand, don't
your
81 understand perfectly" 1 answer
ed, and recalling the scar-faced man
who had been lurking in the bushes,
hurried on to say, "but If can be
Of any service"
mo, no. she sobbed, apparently
overwhelmed by whatever 1t was that
was besetting her. ITS nothing
nothing anyone can help"
'"Tell me about the man you were
to meet here"
"Who are you?" she demanded, her
suspicion suddenly rising at my ques~
ton. you're not a detectiveT
"Far from it." l answered amused
Iy. I'm just plain Spalding Nelson,
on my way to dine with my great
uncle Rufus CASTOR"
"Oh!" she said, relieved, "their
apartment is on the same floor as
ours"
"Tell me about the man you were
to meet" insisted. II may have seen
him."
aid you? What was he like?" she
demanded eagerly.
"Don't you know him?" countered.
"NO, 1 never saw him. I don't even
know who he is. 1 only know that
there was to be a man waiting here
on this bench this evening. We were
both to wear red carnations I was
to come here alone, to see him and
to get the"
She stopped abruptly and tearing
off the flower she was wearing,
trampled 1t viciously under her foot.
"Not so loud" I warned her. fear
full lest they might still be lurking
about and overhear us. "There were
two of them"
.TwO," she whispered, turning pale. |
Yes, one waiting here on this bench,
and the other, villainous Scar-faced
fellaw, hiding in the bushes yonder."
~ dare not go on with it." she
soBERd, Il dare not I dare mott Oh,
wEa Jshall doT" M
thjRS.ka 4 replied. q.
f6s asSto LET me accompah y you backa.
to Your home. They will make no
further attempt to meet you this eve
ming. since my presence has spoiled |
their plans. Come, let me escort you,
Miss
AS hesitated over the name she
answered simply:
Observation-Disclosures Bradford"
She pondered for moment over my
and then turned to walk
with me toward the apartment house.
"What were the men like?" she
lsked.
1 described them as best l could,
hough really the impression that the
'outh on the bench had left was vague.
lis voice, an insolent, hoarse uncul-
waited one, was almost all l could re
all about him.
Il wonder who they we're? 1 won
er how they knew"
"Knew whatY"
Her lips frightened into a straight
ne.
81 can't tell you. l daren't. It isn't
~ secret"
BY this time we had reached her
ONE and the bowling doorman was
winging back the great iron door ,
Or us. 1t had been my intention to ,
my arrival, but recalling
nat Miss Bradford had said that the
aston apartment was on the same !
DOR as hers, l stepped with her into :
he elevator. When it had descended,
avlng us together In the corridor,
he turned to me and offered her hand. !,
THANK you so much, Mr.. Nelson"
y wish you'd let me help you." ! :
led.
she shook her head.
well, promise me one thing" In.
sted.
what Is it?"
"That you never again will go alone
the park to meet those men,"
A tremor shook her body, and once
orr a look of terror crept into her
es
II can't promise that. must meet
en-. 1 must! 1 must I"
/ reached out and took her hand.
Promise me, then, that before you
gain you will let me know"
'1ou must not try to stop m, go
g. she cried desperately and free
: Ter hand turned quickly and un-
king her door left me standing
en alone, staring after her.
Prplexed beyond measure as to
Ia l ought to do, after n moment I
aSed the bell and was admitted 10
} iaston apartment and to the pres.
c, Of my aged relatives.