Vernon Parish Democrat., 1920-09-02


style is different. No, sir; Westcott
isn't after any sheriff. In the first
place he hasn't any evidence. He
knows thing or two, but he can't
prove it; and if we move faster than
he does well block his game-seeT
What do you mean?"
Lacy leaned forward, and Kissed his
answer into Enright's ear.
"Put Cavendish where he can't get
at him. There's no other chance. If
Jim Westcott ever finds that fellow
alive our goose is cooked. And we've
got the advantage-we know where
the man is"
"And Westcott doesn'tT
Exactly, but he will know. He'll
comb these hills until he finds the
trail-that's Jim Westcott Come on
back inside, both of you, and I'll tell
you my plan"
The door closed behind them, shut
ting out the yellow glow, and leaving
the hillside black and lonely.
Miss Donovan did not 60 down to
supper. Beaton waited some time in
the office, his eyes on the stairs, but
she failed to appear, and he lacked
the necessary courage to seek her in
her own room. Then Enright called
him and compelled his attendance.
The absence of the girl was not caused
from any lack of appetite, as she sub
sidized the Chinaman to smuggle her
supply Of food by way of the back
stairs, which she ate with decided
relish, but she had no desire to show
any anxiety regarding a meeting with
the newcomers.
Her newspaper experience had given
her some knowledge of human nature
and she felt convinced that her task
of extracting information would he
greatly simplified If these people
sought her company first. She was
at the window when some one raped
at the door. She arose to her feet,
and took a step or two forward, her
heart beating swifter.
"COme in"
The door opened, and the light from
the windows revealed Miss La Rue,
rather tastefully attired in green silk,
her blond hair fluffed artfully, and a
dainty patch Of black court-plaster
adOrning one cheek.
Pardon me, please" the voice some
what high-pitched, "but they told me
downstairs you were from New York" +"
"Yes, that is my home; won't you
come in?"
''Sure I will. Why I was so lone
some in this hole I simply couldn't
stand it any longer. know your
name; it's Stella Donovan-well, mine
is Celeste La Rue"
"a very pretty name; rather un-
usual. Are you French?"
The other laughed, crossing her feet
carelessly, and extracting a cigarette
case from a handbag.
"French? Well, I guess not. NV
dads name was Capley, and an
nexed this other when I went on the
stage. 1t tickles the Johnnies, and
sounds better than Sadie Capley. You
liked 1t yourself"
"It is better adapted to that >pur-
pose-yOu, are an actress thenT'
"Well, nobody ever said so. 1 can
dance and sing bit, and know how
to wear clothes. Tell me, when were
you in New York;"
About a month ago."
swell, didn't you See the RevueY'
"The last one? Certainly"
THAT'S where shone-second girl
on the right in the chorus, and was
in the eccentric dance with Toe
Stearns; some hit-whatT
Yes, I remember now; they called
you the Red Fairy-because of your
ruby ring. What in the world ever
brought you out here?"
Celeste laughed, a cloud of smoke
curling gracefully above her blonde
hair
"Some Joke, isn't it? Well, it's no
engagement at the Good Luck dance
hall yOnder, you can bet on that. The
fact is I've quit the business, and am
going to take a flyer in mining?"
Mining? That sounds like money
in these days. They tell me there is
no placer-mining any longer, and that
it requires a fortune to develop. /
wouldn't suppose a chorus girl"
"Oh, pshaw!" and Miss La Rue
leaned forward, bright glow on each
cheek. There are more ways of max
ing money in New York than drawing
salary. I've caught on to a few
things in the last five years. It pays
better to be Celeste La Rue than it
ever did to be Sadie Capley. Do you
get me?"
Miss Donovan nodded. Her acquaint-
ance with New York fast life supplied
all necessary details, and it was quite.
evident this girl had no sense of
shame. Instead she was rather proud
of the success she had achieved.
81 imagine you are right" she ad-
mitted pleasantly. $50 you found a
backer? A mining man?"
"Not on your life. None of your