The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1920-07-16

library and would come down
directly. Indeed, he followed almost
on the heels Of the messenger.
"Why, hello, billiard" he said. rath.
err stiltedly. ibid you want to see mel
That's too bad--Tve got to leave here
in just a couple Of seconds TO catch
my train. I'm going West tonight"
."Tll take you over" said Hilliard,
shortly. "That'lI save you minute or
two-and give US time to chat. My
cars outside"
"Why-under the circumstances
80" Armstrong; glance was divert
ed. II don't think can let you do
that--take me over. mean. I'm
going West on a business trip and I
don't think ii would be very appropri-
ate for you to-" l., ,a..,
"Oh--you arel" Hilliard felt streaks
Of ice coursing along his spine. "How
far WestT'
Armstrong consulted his watch nerv-
ously.
"Hilliard." he said, II 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 off at Butte-I'm going good
deal further than that-and look up
some matters for him. guess you
\
Hilliard fumbled his hat. II see.
And-the other reasonT
Armstrong suddenly Strengthened;
and his voice had curious ring to II
IA ring which electrified Hnliard and
awoke the most petrlfying alarms
within him.
''But does one ordinarily mention
certain kinds Of people-in mems
club? don't know how 1t is where
you come from-but here, we don't"
Hilliard smiled vapidly; 1t was the
utmost perversity of emotion, for he
knew now why Carol had been so ex-
plicit In her sympathy -. why she
had been so meticulous to let him
realize that she wanted him as
friend; only as friend :. &. and here
was Armstrong, concealing with diff
Guilty the triumph he was limiting at.
-. ..
mo" he said harshly. zone doesn't,
but there ism. anything to keep us
from mentioning anybody we like out.
side the club iS thpra2r
"Why-not that l."
"Then I'll take you down anyway
said HiIliard. "And let's see IL we
can't try to understand each other"
1t took u brave man TO accept the
offer, for billiards. eyes held little to
recommend their owner as a prudent
driver, or as very pleasant compan-
ion. Armstrong, however was already
putting on his hat.
They had driven over to the station
in silence. Hilliard, parking the run
about carefully, turned TO his passen-
ger.
We've got ten good minutes" he
said. Your train isn't even in yet
go ahead and talk"
Armstrong, after momentary de-
lay, put out conciliating hand. "Old
man." he said, lets play the rest OF
this out like two sensible people. We
won't set anywhere by pickering, and
l 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, and / haven't known Won
but suppose, just to help along the un-
derstanding, we take each other at
face value"
billiard WINGED.
"Well--suppose we do. Then what"
"Then you can't hold 1t I'D against
me for stopping off at Butte on my
way out. l haven't any motive In IT.
/ promised to do 1t as favor to Rufe
Waring. 1t isn't personal issue ut
all. ! know exactly how 1t must ap-
pear to you. but j.. I'm not that sort
of man, billiard. wouldn't have
dreamed Of it myself. That's straight |"
The masquerader regarded him
earnestly-and yielded to his evident
sincerity.
sway down Deep" he said, at length,
u know you're not, but .. what's
that fort" He referred to Arm
strong's outstretched hand. "OhI i
all right" They shook hands solemn
". AT the same time It would have
been 30 perfectly natural for you to
feel like getting whatever leverage
you could"
There's no need Of that-now."
said Armstrong. His smile was proud
and brilliant, and billiard withered
under II. y N1's sNi
swell, wasn't sure" 3. ~,