The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-06-25

was clear. Assured as to this. the willy
oriental sidled noiselessly across the
floor and paused beside him.
'Zis Meester vest-c-ott?" he asked
softly.
That's my name. John: what is it2'
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
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. I had the best
of reasons. Meet me near the lower
bridge at three o'clock Very impor-
tant. :. D."
He read the lines over again. his
lips emitting a low whistle, his eyes
darkening with sudden appreciation.
1t had been n trick, then, bit of play
acting! But had it? Was not this
rather the real fraud-this sudden
change of heart This note might
have a sinister purpose: be intended
to deceive. No, He would not be
lieve this All his old lurking faith
in her came back in a fash of revela-
ton. He would continue 10 believe in
her. trust her. feel that some worthy
purpose had Influenced her strange
action And, above all. he would be
at the lower bridge on the hour set.
He was back at the desk when Tim
mons returned.
What do owe you, old man?"
He paid the bill jokingly and in
the best of humor, careful 70 tell the
proprietor that he was leaving for
his mine and might not return for sew
eral days. He possessed confidence
that TimmOns would make no secret
of this in Haskell after his departure.
He was glad TO notice that Beat0n
observed him as he passed the Good
Luck saloon and went tramping down
the dusty road.
The only carriage belonging to the
town livery passed soon after his ar
and from his covert he recognized
Beaton lolling carelessly in the back
seat. This must mean that the man
expected arrivals on the afternoon
train, important arrivals whom he de-
sired to honor There was no sign,
however, of Miss Donovan; the time
was up, yet with no evidence of her
approach.
Westcott waited patiently. arguing
caused by her wish to get Beaton well
out of the way before she ventured to
leave the hotel At last he strobe
down the path to the bridge and saw
her leaning over the rail, staring at
the rippIes below.
''Why." he exclaimed in surprise
'how long have you been here?"
Several minutes" and she turned
to face him. Il waited until the car
riage passed before coming onto the
bridge. l took the foot path from the
hotel"
''You sent for me; there is some ex-
PLANTATION, no doubt?"
The lady smiled, lifting her eyes to
his face
There is" she answered. "a per
fectly satisfactory one. 1 believe; but
this place is too prominent, as 1 have
a rather long story to tell"
There is a rock seat below. just be-
yond the clump of willows, quite out
of sight from the road" he suggested.
perhaps you would go with me
there?"
what trail is that?"
at leads to mines up the canyon,
my own included, but is not greatly
travelled; the main trail is farther
east"
She walked to the edge of the bridge
and permitted him to assist her down
the bank. There was something of
reserve about her manner, which pre-
vented Westcott from feeling alto
gether at ease. Neither broke the ST. |
lence between them until they reached |
the fat boulder and had found seats |
i'm the shelter Of overhanging trees I
She sat a moment then she turned /
toward him questioningly.
ST was very rude" she said. but |
you will forgive me when 1 explain |
the cause. l had to act as l did or /
else lose my hold entirely on that I
man-you understands"
II do not need to understand" he /
answered CALAMITY. ut is enough that
you say So
mo, it is not enough. value your
Mr.. Westcott. and I need
your advice"
"You may feel confidence in me-"
ooh. l do; indeed, you cannot real
re how thoroughly l trust you" and
she touched his hand with
her own. 'That is why I wrote you
% meet me here-so I could tell you
he whole story"
He waited. his eyes on her face.
81 received my letter this morning
he letter I told you I expected, con-
aiming my Instructions They-they
'elate to this man Ned Beaton and the
woman he expects on this train
''Your instructions?" he echoed
"You mean you have been
tent after these people on some crimi-