The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-08-26

There was no mention OF ameS
yet these people could scarcely fail to
recognize that this had reference to
| the Cavendish case. The thought Of
personal danger never once entered
her aind. Timidity was not part of
her nature and she gave this phase Of
the matter no thought. But she must
communicate with Westcott, tell him
all that had occurred. She would send
him a note the first thing in the morn
ing.
Somewhat treasured by this reason
ing, she was still seated there, staring
out into the night, when Enright and
Beaton returned. Stella heard the
tread of horses feet, before her eyes
distinguished the party approaching,
and she drew back cautiously. In the
glow of the light she could perceive
four men In saddle halt in front of
the hotel. thr&. of whom dismounted
and entered tae building, the fourth
grasping the reins of the riderless ami
mails and leading them up the street.
She heard the murmur of voices be-
INV dilu iIc lltuNy EltDS Va llG lht no
thet came slowly up the stairs. Then
a door opened c~reakingly and she
caught the sound of a woman's voice.
rs that you, Nedf"
"Sure; what are you doing up at
this liour?"
"Never mind that. Who have you
got with your"
"Enright and Lacy-why?'
IL want you all to come in here a
minute; don't make SO much noise"
voice or two grumbled, but feet
shufled along the bare floor and the
door creaked again as 1t was carefully
closed behind them. Stella opened her
own door a crack and listened; the
hall, lighted only by a single oil-lamp
at the head of the stairs, was desert
ed and silent. She stole cautiously for
ward, but the voices in Miss La Rue's
room were mufled and indistlnct, not
an audible word reaching her ears.
The key was in the lock, shutting out
all view of the interior. VISA, what
was the difference? She knew what
was occurring within-the stolen tele-
gram was being displayed. and dis
cussed. That would not delay them
long and 1t would never do for her to
be discovered In the hall.
Convinced of the uselessness of re-
naming, she returned to her W
room, closing and boiling the door.
This time she removed some of her
clothing, and lay down on the bed,
conscious of being exceedingly tired,
yet In no degree sleepy. She rested
there, with ~wide-open eyes, listening
until the distant door creaked again,
and she heard the footsteps of the
men In the hall. They had not re-
NAMED In the chorus girls room long,
nor was anything said outside to
arouse her suspicious. Reassured,
Miss Donovan %snuggled down into her
pillow, unable to distinguish where the
men went, but satisfied they had
sought their rooms. They would at
tempt nothing more that night. and
she had better gain what rest she
could. 1t was not easy falling asleep,
In spite of the silence, but at last she
dropped off into a doze.
Suddenly some unusual poise
aroused her, and she sat upright, un-
able for the moment to comprehend
what had occurred. Then something
tingled at the glass of her window,
sharply distinct. as though a pebble
had been tossed upward. Instantly
she was upon her feet. and had crossed
the room, her head thrust out. The
light In the office had been extln-
guished, and the night was black, yet
she could make out dimly the figure OF
a man close In against the side of the
house. a mere hulking shadow. At
the same Instant he seemed to move
slightly, and some missile grazed her
face. and fell upon the foor, striking
the rug with a dull thud. She drew
back In alarm, yet Immediately
grasped the thought that this nus be
some secret message, some communi-
cation from westcott.
Drawing down the torn curtain.
she touched a match to the lamp and
sought the intruding missile. 1t had
rolled beneath the bed--a small stone
with o bit Of paper securely attached.
The girl tore this open eagerly. her
eyes searching the few lines.
"Must see Won tonight. Have
learned things. and am going away,
Go down back stairs, and meet m at
big cottonwood behind hotel; don't
fail. j. w"
Her breath came fast as she read,
and crupched the paper into the palm
OF her hand. She understood, and felt
no hesitancy. Westcott had made dis
| coveries so important he must COM
municate them at bnce and there vas
no other way. He dare not come to
her openly at that hour. Well. she
wac not a~fraid--not of Jim Westcott.
| She paused In her hasty dressing.
dering at herself, dimly aware that a
new feeling partly actuated her desire
to meet the man again-a feeling thor
ou.hly alien to the Cdvendish mys-
terry. She glanced into the cracked
mirrc and laughed, half ashamed at
her earerness. yet utterly unable to
suppress the quickened beat Of her