Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-09-16
CHAPTER TX.
.N.stnott Binds HlmseIf Alone.


1t never occurred to Westcott on his
escape through the darkness that his
nights adventure would in any way
endanger Miss Donovan. He was on
the property Of La Rosita Mining COM
pany upon his own account, and not in
reference to the Cavendish case at all
or, at least, this last was merely In
cidental.
From where he lay he could see
across the bare, rock-strewn hillside to
the distant hut, outlined by the CLEAN
Of light within, and perceive the black
silhouette of the shafthouse. He could
dimly distinguish figures as they
passed in and out Of the glare of light,
and was aware that Moore had been
found and carried within the hut, but
remained ignorant of the fact that the
leaving of knife in the window had
revealed his identity. There was no
attempt at pursuit, which gave him
confidence that Lacy failed to compre-
bend the Importance of what had been
overheard, yet he chung to his hiding
place until all the men had re-entered
the office.
1t was late the next morning before
Westcott rode into Haskell and,
stabling his horse, which bore all the
marks of hard riding, proceeded to-
ward the TimmOns house. He had
utilized, as best he could, the hours
since that cavalcade had departed
from La Rosita to put his own affairs
in order so that he might feel free to
camp on the cOnspirators' trail and
risk all in an effort to rescue Caven-
dish. The night had been hard one,
but Westcott was still totally uncon-
scious of fatigue-his whole thought
conferred on his purpose. AS he rode
slowly up the street in the bright sun
light his mind reverted to Stella DOnO-
van. Eager for the greeting which he
felt assured awaited him, he strobe
through the open door into the Office.
The room was vacant, but as he
crossed the floor toward the desk the
proprietor entered the opening leading
into the barroom beyond.
"Hello, Jim!'' he cried at sight of
the other. Thought you'd be back,
but d. it, yer too -she's-she's
gone; almighty pretty girl, too. I told
the boys it was a blame shame fer
her ter run off hathaway"
"Who has run OFF," And Westcott's
hand crushed down on the mans Shout
der. "What are you talking about?"
"Me! Let up, will yer2 Yer was
here hopin' ter see that New York girl,
wasn't yer?"
"NIiss Donovan? Yes"
I'D forgot her name. Well, she
amt yere-she's left"
"Left-gone from town."
"Sure; skipped out sudden in the
uight; took the late train East, reck-
on. Never sed no word to nobody
just naturally packed up her buds an
| liked"
Westcott drew deep breath.
"Surely you. do not mean she left
without any explanation? She must
have paid her BILL"
ooh, she was square enough-sure.
She left money an a note pinned to
her pillow; sed she'd just got mes
sage calm her home-want ter see
whut she wrote?
"You bet l do, Timmons !"
Timmons waddled around behind the
desk and ran his hand into a drawer
Evidently he considered the matter a
huge joke, but Westcott snatched the
paper from his fingers impatiently and
eagerly read the few hastily penciled
! lines:
''Have received a message calling
me East at once. Shall take the night
train, and inclose sufficient money to
pay for my entertainment.
IS. D."
He stared at the woEds, deep
crease between his eyes. It was a
wOman's handwriting, and at first
glance there was nothing impossible in
such an action on her part. Yet it was
strange, if she had departed so sud
denly without leaving any message for
him. His eyes narrowed with aroused
suspicion as ne looked up from the slip
of paper and confronted the amused
Timmons across the desk.
"And that was all, was it-just this
note and the cash? There ~-"s nothing
addressed to me2"
The hotelkeeper shook his head.
"When did you see her last"
"'BOut nine o'clock, reckon; she