The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-04-09


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
Il understand perfectly" l answer
ed and recalling the scar-faced man
who had been lurking in the bushes,
l hurried on to say, but If can be
of any service"
"Ne, no. she sobbed, apparently
overwhelmed by whatever it was that
was besetting her. ITS nothing
nothing anyone can help"
"Tell me about the man you were
to meet here"
"Who are your she demanded, her
suspicion suddenly rising at my ques-
ton. you're not a detective?"
Ear from It," l answered amused
ly. 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" l insisted. II may have seen
him."
did you? What was he lilSe?" she
demanded eagerly.
Don't you know him?" / countered.
mo, / never saw him. l don't even
know who he is. l only know that
there was to be a man waiting here
on this bench this evening. We were
both to wear red carnations. | was
to come here alone, to see him and
to get the"
She stopped abruptly and tearing
off the flower she was wearing,
trampled it viciously under her foot.
mot so loud" l warned her, fear
full lest they might still be lurking
about and overhear us. "There were
two Of them"
1.-Two" she whispered, turning pale.
Eyes, one waiting here on this bench,
and the other, a villainous scar-faced
fellow, hiding in the bushes yonder."
II dare not go on with it." she
sobbed, Il dare not / dare mott Oh,
| what shall l do?'
1.-THE thing to do now" l replied, lis
| for you to let me accompany you back
| 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:
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Bradford"
She pondered for a moment over my
suggestion and then turned to walk
with me toward the apartment house
what were the men like?" she
asked.
l described them as best I could
though really the impression that the
youth on the bench had left was vague
His voice, an insolent, hoarse, uncul-
tivated one, was almost all / could re
call about him.
Il wonder who they were? / Won
der how they knew"
"Knew what?"
Her lips frightened into straight
line.
81 can't tell you. / darent. 1t isn't
my secret"
BY this time we had reached hel
home and the bowling doorman was
swinging back the great iron door
for us. 1t had been my intention t(
announce my arrival, but recalling
that Miss Bradford had said that the
CASTOR apartment was on the same
floor as hers, | stepped with her into
the elevator. When it had descended
leaving us together in the corridor
she turned to me and offered her hand
Il wish you'd let me help YOU"
cried.
She shook her head.
"Well, promise me one thing" / In
sisted.
"What is it,"
THAT you never again will go alone
to the park to meet those men,"
A tremor shook her body, and once
more look of terror crept into he
eyes.
Il can't promise that. | must NEE
them. | must / must I"
| reached out and took her hand.
Promise me, then, that before 20,
go again you will let me know"
"You must not try to stop my go
ing" she cried desperately and free
ing her hand turned quickly and I'm
locking her door left me standin,
there alone, staring after her.
Perplexed beyond measure as t,
what | ought to do, after a moment
pressed the bell and was admitted t,
the Castor apartment and to the pres
ence of my aged relatives.