Cleveland County herald., 1920-09-16
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
 Quite obliViouS of her uncIe's depar- tufe for San Francisco, Shirley lay awake throughout the remainder of the night, turning over and over in her mind the various aspects of the Cardi- gan-Pennington imbroglfo. Of one thing she was quite certain; peace must be declared at all hazards. She realized that she had permitted mat ters to go too far. A revulsion of feel ing toward her uncle, induced by the memory of Bryce Cardigan's blood on her white finger tips, convinced the girl that, at all hazards to her finan- cial future, henceforth she and her uncle must tread separate paths. She had found him out at last, and because in her nature there was some of his own fixity of purpose, the resolution cost her no particular pang.
 She had been obsessed of desire, rather unusual in her sex, to. see a fight worth while; she had planned to permit it to go to a knockout. to use Bryce Cardigan's language, because she believed Bryce Cardigan would be vanquished-and she had desired to see him smashed-but not beyond re- pair, for her joy in the conflict was to lie in the task of putting the pieces together afterward!
 It 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 calmer and clearer percep- ton, on your part, of the necessary tactics which in a 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, I am leaving in the motor for San Fran cisco. Your terrible accusation has grieved me to such an extent that I do not feel equal to the task of confront ing you until, in q more judicial frame of mind. you can truly abSolve me of the charge of wishing to do away with young Cardigan.
 "Your affectionate
 JUNGLE SETH"
 Shirley's lip curled. With a 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 soiloquized.
 Very well, unkie-dunk While 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 lpmberiacks 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, "Mr. Cardigan is a bad man to fight. You fought him once. Are you going to do it again?"
 He nodded By whose orders?"
 "AIr. Sexton, she tell me to do it."
 "Well, Rondeau. some day I'll be boss of Laguna Grande and thereIl be no more fighting" she replied. and passed on down E street to the office of the Cardigan Redwood Lumber company. Moira McTavish looked up as she entered.
 ''Where is he, dear?" Shirley asked. "I must see him.
 ''In that office. Miss Shirley" Moira replied, and pointed so 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 he looked harassed and dejected.
 Don't get up, Bryce" she said as he attempted to rise. "I know you're quite exhausted. You look it." She sat down. I'm so sorry" she said softly.
 His dull glance frightened. Tt doesn't amount to that, Shirley" And he snapped his fingers. Tt throbs little and It's stiff and sore. so I carry 1t in the sling. That helps a little. What did you want to see me about?'
 II wanted to tell you." said Shirley. "that-that last nights affair was not of my making" He smiled compass sionately, Fl couldn't bear to have you think I'd break my word and tell him."
 Tt never occurred to me that you had dealt me a hand from the bottom or the deck. Shirley. Please don't worry about it. Your uncle has had two private detectives watching Ogilsy and me"