The Ordway new era., 1920-08-27

/ library and would come dowr
directly. Indeed. he followed sImos
on the heels of the messenger
-'Why. hello. Hilliard." he said. rath-
er stiltedIy. Did you want to see me?
That's too bad-I've got TO leave here
in just a couple OF seconds to catch
my train. I'm going West tonight"
"1ll take you over" said HiIliard,
shortly. 'Thatll save you a minute or
two-snd give us time to chat. Ny
cars outside"
"Why-under the circumstances
g. :" Armstrong; glance was divert
ed. Il don't think l can let you do
that-take me over. l mean I'm
going West on business trip and 1
don't think it would be very sppropri-
ate for you to-"
'Oh-you are - Hill!ard felt streaks
Of ice coursing along his spine. How
far West?"
Armstrong consulted his watch rr-v-
ously.
"Hilliard." he said. 81 like to do
things out in the open. There are
just two reasons why don't think you
really want to invite me to ride down
to the station with you II I'm wrong.
It's up TO you to say so. One OF 'em
is that Rufus Waring has asked me to
stop on at Butte-rm going good
deal further than that-and look up
some matters for him. guess you
know as well as do what they are.
D..
Hilliard fumbled his hat. 81 see.
And-the other reason?"
Armstrong suddenly Strengthened:
and his voice had curious ring to II
"a ring which electrified Hllliard and
awoke the most petrifying alarms
within him.
But does one ordinarily mention
certain kinds Of people-in a mems
club? | don't know how It Is where
you come from-but here, We don't"
Hilliard smiled vapidIy; 1t was the
utmost perversity OF emotion. for he
knew now why Carol had been so eI-
pltcit in her sympathy . why she
had been so meticuous to let him
realize that she wanted him as a
friend only as a friend . and here
was Armstrong. concealing with diff
Guilty the triumph he was limiting at.
NO" he said harshly. zone doesn't,
but there Isn't anything 10 keep us
from mentioning anybody we like out
side the club. is there?"
''Why-not that /"
Then I'll take you down anyway"
said Hilllard. "And let's see II we
can't try to understand each other
1t took brave man to accept the
offer. for Hilliard's eyes held little to
recommend their owner as prudent
driver. or as a very pleasant compan-
ion. Armstrong. however, was already
putting on his hat.
They had driven over to the station
In silence. Hilliard, parking the rum
about carefully, turned to his passen-
ger.
We've got ten good minutes" he
said. Your train isn't even In yet
90 ahead and talk"
Armstrong. after momentary de-
lay, put out cOncillsting hand. "Od
man." he said. ''let's play the rest Of
this out like two sensible people. We
won't get anywhere by pickering. and
| suppose 1t won't do any harm for us
to put all the cards on the table. and
know exactly where We stand. OF
course. you haven't known me very
long, aud ! haven't known you
hut suppose, just to help along the un-
derstanding, we take each other at
face value"
Hiiliard WINGED.
"Wel-suppose we do. Then what?"
Then you can't hold 1t up against
me for stopping on at Butte on my
way out. | haven't any motive In it
| promised to do II as favor to Rufe
Waring. II isn't personal issue at
all. | know exactly how 1t must np-
pear to you. hut j.. I'm not that sort
OF man. HiIliard. wouldn't have
dreamed of 1t myself. That's straight !"
The masquerader regarded him
earnestly-and yielded to his evident
sincerity.
"Way down deep" he said, at length,
81 know you're not. but what's
that for?' He referred to Arm
strOng's outstretched hand. "Oh! :.
all right" They shook hands solemn
ly. AT the same time 1t would have
been so perfectly natural for you to
feel like getting whatever leverage
you could"
There's no need Of that-now."
and brilliant, and Hilliard withered
under it.
"Weil. | wasn't sure