Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-08-19

attracted by a rough, brutal type such
as Ned BeatOn so evidently was. There
surely must be some other cause draw
ing them together. Yet. whatever 1t
was, there was no doubt but that he
had been very properly snubbed. Her
words stung; yet it 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 compan-
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 careless word or two with
Timmons, and finally purchased a CT
gar and retired to one corner to Pc
ruse an old newspaper. 1t 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 ne under
stood to some extent-a claim that it
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 leaCN, 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 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'll?
The messenger shook a folded paper
out of his sleeve. thrust it into the
others hand hastily, and, with hur
ried glance about, started to glide
| 10 ho1
vanished into the dark hall, and there
was the faint clatter of his shoes or
the stairs.
Westcott, fully aroused, cast his
glance about the deserted room, anC
unfOlded the paper which had beer
left in his fingers. His eyes took fl
the few penciled words instantly.
do not be angry. had the bes
of reasons. Meet me near the lowe
bridge at three o'clock. Very impor
tant. S. D."
He read the lines over again, hi
lips emitting a low whistle, his eye
darkening with sudden appreciation
It had been a trick, then, bit of play
acting! But had it2 Was not thi
rather the real fraud-this suddel
change of heart. This note nigh
have a sinister purpose; be intende,
to deceive. No! He would not be
lieve this All his old lurking faitl
in her came back in flash of revela
ton. He would continue to believe il
j, her, trust her, feel that some worth
Il 1000 hoI }nArapnad bar Stran0
action. And, above all, he would b
at the lower bridge on the hour sci
He was back at the desk when Tin
mons returned.
. ''What do l owe you, old MANI"
He paid the bill jokingly and i
the best of humor, careful to tell tn
proprietor that he was leaving 70
his mine and might not return for sex
eral days. He possessed contidenC
that Timmons would make no secre
of this in Haskell after his departure
f He was glad to notice that Beato
! observed him as he passed the Goo
} Luck saloon and went tramping dow
! the dusty road.
The only carriage belonging to tn
D town livery passed soon after his a
a rival, evidently bound for the station
and from his covert he recognize
: Beaton lolling carelessly in the bac
0 seat. This must mean that the ma
expected arrivals on the afternoo
train, important arrivals whom he d.
sired to honor. There was no sigl
n however, of Miss Donovan; the tim
was up, yet with no evidence of he
+ approach.
u Westcott waited patiently, arguin
r to himself that her delay might /
O caused by her wish to get Beaton we
out of the way before she ventured
leave the hotel. At last he stroC
:. down the path to the bridge, and sa
n her leaning over the rail, staring |
t the ripples below.
s why" he exclaimed in surpris
chow long have you been here?"
e Several minutes" and she turne
e to face him. II waited until the ca
riage passed before coming onto II
# bridge. took the foot path from Il
e hotel"