Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-06-11

toSeuleE dIterWar0I
1t was rather a relief. therefore
when the imperturbable James handed
her at breakfast the following note:
SHIRLEY Dear:
AFTER leaving you last night I de-
cided that In your present frame Of
mind my absence for few days might
tend to q calmer and clearer percep-
ton, on your part, of the necessary
tactics which In moment of despera.
tion, saw fit. with regret, to pursue
last night. And in the hope that you
Will have attained your old attitude
toward me before my return, | am
leaving In the motor for San Fran.
cisco. Your terrible accusation has
grieved me to such an extent that do
not feel equal to the task Of confront.
Ing you until. In more judicial frame
OF mind. you can truly absolve me Of
the chatge Of wishing to do away with
young Cardigan.
"Your affectionate
UNCLE SETH"
Shirley's lip curled. With q rarer,
keener intuition than she had hitherto
manifested. she sensed the hypocrisy
between the lines: she was not de-
ceived.
HE has gone to San Francisco for
more ammunition" she soliloauIzed.
"Very well. unkie-dunki While
you're away. ] shall manufacture q
few bombs myself"
After breakfast she left the house
and walked to the intersection of B
with Water street. Jules ROndeau and
his crew Of lumberjacks were there
and with two policemen guarded the
crossing.
Shirley looked from the woods bully
to the locomotive and back to Ron.
deau.
"Rondeau." she said. mfr. Cardigan
is bad man to fight. You fought him
once. Are you going to do Il again7
He nodded.
"By whose orders?"
"Mr. Sexton. she tell me to do It."
"Well. Rondeau. some day I'll be
boss Of l.aguna Grande and thereIl be
no more fighting" she replied. and
passed on down d street to the office
Of the Cardigan Redwood Lumber
company. MORA McTavish looked up
as she entered.
"Where is he. dear1" Shirley asked.
II mist see him."
I'm that office. Miss Shirley" MOira
replied. and pointed to the door. Shir.
ley stepped to the door. knocked. and
then entered. Bryce Cardigan. seated
at his desk. looked up as she came in.
His left arm was In sling. and be
looked harassed and detected.
Don't get up. Bryce" she said as he
attempted to rise. II know you're quite
exhausted. You look It" She sat
down. "I'm 80 sorry" she said softly.
His dull glance frightened. 1T
doesn't amount to that. Shirley" And
he snapped his fingers. 1T throbs a
little and It's stiff and sore. so I carry
It in the sling. That helps a little.
What did you want to see me aboutr'
II wanted to tell you." said Shirley.
"that-that last nights affair was not
Of my making" He smiled compass
sionately. Ill couldn't bear to have
you think I'd break my word and tell
him."
ut never occurred to me that you
had dealt me hand from the bottom
Of the deck, Shirley. Please don't
worry about 1t. Your uncle has had
two private detectives watching Ogilvy
and me-"
"Ohl" she breathed. much relieved.
A ghost Of the old bantering smile
lighted her winsome features swell,
then" she challenged. II suppose you
don't hate me-"
ION the contrary. love you" he an
swered. However. since you must
have known this for some time past,
suppose II Is superfluous to mention
It. Moreover. haven't the right
yet"
She had cast her eyes down mod
estly. She, raised them now and looked