Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-07-30


ing them together. Yet. whatever 1t
was, there was no doubt but that he
had been very properly snubbed. Her
words stung: yet 1t was the manner
In which she had looked at him and |
swept past at Beaton's side which hurt |
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 complain
ionship, 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 CT
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 a mutual interest between
the men. but what was It's nature?
Lacy's purpose he believed he under
| stood to some extent--a claim that 1t
was an extension of the La Rosita
| vein which Westcott had tapped In his
recent discovery. But ne 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
peopIe-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 TimmOns 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 sided noiselessly across the
floor and paused beside him.
'Zis Meester Vest-c-ott?" he asked
softly.
That's my name, John; what Is it?'
The messenger shook folded paper
out Of his sleeve, thrust 1t 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. s. D."
He read the lines over again, his
lips emitting low whistle, his eyes
darkening with sudden appreciation
1t had been trick, then, bit Of play
actingl But had it2 Was not thii
rather the real fraud-this sudder
change of heart. This note nigh
have a sinister purpose; be intended
to deceive. Mol He would not be
! lieve this. All his old lurking faitl
o In her came back In flash of reyela
!. ton. He would continue to believe II
n her, trust her, feel that some worthy
purpose had influenced her strang'
4 action. And. above all, he would b,
. at the lower bridge on the hour sci
!. He was back at the desk when Tim
mons returned.
a what do owe you, old manp
He paid the bin joEingly and Il
:. the best Of humor, careful to tell tn
4 proprietor that he was leaving 70
his mine and might not return for sex
eral days. He possessed confidene
that Timmons would make no secre
a of this In Haskell after his departure
r. He was glad to notice that Beato
= observed him as he passed the Goo
"a Luck saloon and went tramping dow
"A the dusty road.
The only carriage belonging to. tn
N town livery passed soon after his a.
3 rival. evidently bound for the statiol
and from his covert he recognize
r. Beaton iolling carelessly In the bae
70 seat. This must mean that the ma
expected arrivals on the afterno0
train, important arrivals whom he d
sired TO honor. There was no sig
m however, of Miss Donovan; the tin
was up, yet with no evidence OF HI
n approach.
On westcott waited patiently. arguir
or TO himself that her delay might
tn caused by her wish to get BeatOn We
ont of the way before she ventured
leave the hotel. At last he stro'
". down the path TO the bridge, and sa
yn her leaning over the rail-, staring
Mt the ripples below.
his why" he exclaimed in surpris
''how long have you been hereT
he Several minutes" and she turn
we to face him. 81 waited until the CO
rlnre nassed before coming onto Z