The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-07-17
attracted by rough, brutal type such

was there was no doubt but that ne
| had been very properly Snubbed. Her
| words stung; yet it was the manner
| in which she had looked at him ana
swept past at Beat0n'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-
| i0nship, and it was just as we'll, 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 ci-
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 its 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 he had no per
Sonal fear of Lacy; not, at leat> ;, if
he could once get the backing of Cav
endsh's money. But these other
| people-Beaton, Miss Donovan, and
still another expected to arrive soon
| from the East-how We're 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-wo 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 noSelessly 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 it 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 pencied words instantly.
do not be angry. l had the best
of reasons. Meet me near the lower
bridge at three o'clock. Very impor
tant. ,. IL.
He read the lines over again, ms
Inns emitting low whistle, his eyes
darkening with sudden appreciation
It had been q trick, then, bit OF play
acting! But had it? Was not this
rather the real fraud-this sudder
change of heart. This note nigh
have q sinister purpose; be INTENDED
TO deceive. No. He would not be
lieve this. All his old lurking faltf
i, in her came back in a flash of revela
ton. He would continue to believe II
her. trust her, feel that some worth!
purpose had Influenced her strange
, action. And, above all, he would 81
, at the lower bridge on the hour set
He was back at the desk when Tim
mons returned.
"What do I owe you, old manT
He paid the bill jokingly and IL
the best of humor, careful to tell tn
, proprietor that he was leaving TO
his mine and might not return for sew
eral days. He possessed confldenc
that Timmons would make no score
Of this in Haskell after his departure
6 He was glad to notice that Beatol
observed him as he passed the Coco
Luck saloon and went tramping dow
. the dusty road.
The only carriage belonging to tn
i town livery passed soon after MS al
a rival, evidently bound for the station
and from his covert he recognize
Reaton lollinC crelessly In the bac
q seat. This must mean that the ma
expected arrivals on the afternoo
train, important arrivals whom he de
sired to honor. There was no sigr
;, however. of Miss Donovan; the tim
was M. vet with no evidence of he
# approach.
y Westcott waited patiently, arguln
- to himself that her delay might b
q caused by her wish to get Beaton we
out of the way before she ventured I
leave the hotel. At last he stroo
down the path to the bridge, and sa'
~ her leaning over the rail. staring 6
# the ripples below.
i "Why." he exclaimed In surprls
"how long have you been hereT
,e Several minutes" and she turne
% to face him. 81 waited until the cal
riace passed before coming onto II
If bridge. | took the foot path from tt
,e hotel"
G. You sent for me; there is some e:
:" planation. no dOubt?"
re The lady smiled, lifting her eyes
d. his face.
to There is" she answered. "A pc
ID fectly satisfactory one, ! believe; b'
II. | 4k;s nioco iS TOO nrOminpDt as | ha,