The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-08-20

| eyes and that she was looking with
relief ut 4 little college pin I wal
wearing. She was blushing now from
| confusion at her mistake, and the ris-
ing red in her cheeks added greatly
to her exquisite loneliness.
II was to meet someone here" she
faltered; you quite understand, don't
your
II understand perfectly" I answer
! ed. and recalling the scar-faced man
who had been lurking in the bushes,
II hurried on to say. 'but II I can be
of any service"
mo. no. she sobbed. apparently
overwhelmed by whatever 1t was that
was besetting her. tits nothing
nothing anyone al help"
"Tell me about the man you were
to meet here"
"Who r your" she demanded, her
suspicion suddenly rising at my ques-
ton. you're not q detectiveT"
Far from It." I answered amused
~. I'm Just plain Spalding Nelson.
on my way to dine with ms great
uncle Rufus CASTOR"
"Ohv she said, relieved, their
apartment Is on the same floor as
ours"
Tell me about the man you were
to meet" I insisted. II may have seer
him."
Ibid your What was he like7" she
demanded eagerly.
Don't you know him?" I countered.
mo, I never saw him. I don't even
know who he IL. I only know that
there was to be a man waiting here
on this bench this evening. We were
both to wear red carnations. I was
to come here alone. to see him and
to get the"
She stopped abruptly and tearing
of the flower she was wearing,
trampled 1t viciously under her foot.
mot 80 loud" I warned her, fear
full lest they might still be lurking
about and overhear us. "There were
two Of them"
"TwO." she whispered, turning pale.
YES, one waiting here on this bench,
and the other. q v%illainous scar-faced
fellow, hiding in the bushes yonder."
II dare not 60 on with It," she
sobbed. Il dare notl I dare mott Oh,
what shall I dol"
1.-THE thing to do now" I replied, "is
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,
As I hesitated ove the name she
answered simply:
"Bradford-Barbara Bradford"
She pondered for a moment over my
suggestion and then turned to walk
with me toward the apartment house.
"What were the men like1" she
asked.
I described them as best I could.
though really the impression that the
youth IN the bench had left was vague.
His voice. an insolent, hoarse. uncul-
tivated one. was almost all I could r.
call about him.
II wonder who they were1 I won.
der how they knewr'
"Knew what1"
Her lips frightened into q straight
lire.
II can't tell you. I daren't. It isn't
my secret"
BY this time wo had reached her
homo and the bowling do0rman was
swinging back the great iron door
for US. It had been my intention to
announce my arrival. but recalling
that Miss Bradford had said that the
CASTOR apartment vas on the Same
floor rs hers, / stepped with her into
the elevator: When 1t had descended.
leaving ~ together In the corridor.
abe turned to me and offered her hand.
THANK you 70 much. Mr.. Nelson"
II wish you'd let mo help you." ]
cried.
She shook her head.
"Well. promise me one thing" I In
sisted.
"vVhat 10 It'll"
ssThat you never again viii 60 alone
to the park to meet those men,"
A tremor shook her body. and once
more I look Of terror crept into her
eyes,
II can't promise that. I must meet
them. mustl I must! I"
/ reached out and took her hand.
Promise me. then, that before you
70 again You will let me know"
"YOu must not try to stop my 60
Ing" she cried desperately and free
ing her hand turned quickly and I'M
locking her door left me standing
there alone. staring after her.
Perplexed beyond measu ~ to
what I ought to do. after . moment I
pressed the bell and was admitted to
the CASTOR apartment and to the pres
enco Of my aged relatives.