The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-04-02

=
wearing. She was blushing now from
confusion at her mistake, and the ris-
ing red in her cheeks added greatly
to her exquisite loyeliness.
IL was to meet someone here" she
faltered; "you quite understand, don't
your
II understand perfectly" answer
ed, and recalling the scar-faced man
who had been lurking in the bushes,
i hurried on to say "but If | can De
of any service"
"No, no. she sobbed, apparently
overwhelmed by whatever it was that
was besetting her. 'It's nothing
nothing anyone can help"
"Tell me about the man you were
to meet here"
"Who are your she demanded, her
suspicion suddenly rising at my ques-
ton. you're not a detective"
"Far from it," / answered amused
ly. 'Tm just plain Spalding Nelson,
on my way to dine with my great
uncle Rufus CASTOR"
"Oh!" she said, relieved, "their
apartment is on the same floor as
ours"
"Te1l me about the man you were
to meet" I insisted. 81 may have seen
HIM"
did you? What was he like?" she
demanded eagerly.
'Don't you know him" 1 countered
mo, never saw him. don't even
know who he is. I only know that
there was to be man waiting here
on this bench this evening. We were
both to wear red carnations. I was
to come here alone, to see him and
to get the" "# '.
She stopped abruptly and tearing
off the flower she was wearing,
trampled it viciously under her foot.
"Not so loud" l warned her, fear
full lest they might still be lurking
about and overhear us. "There were
two of them"
"Two," she whispered, turning pale
Eyes, one waiting here on this bench,
and the other, villainous scar-faced
fellow, hiding in the bushes yonder."
II dare not go on with it," she
sobbed, II dare not dare not Oh,
what shall l do?" $685..
"The thing to do now" replied, sis
for you to let me accompany you back
to your home. They will make no
further attempt to meet you this eve
ming, since my presence has spoiled
their plans. Come, let me escort you,
MISS
AS hesitated over the name she
answered simply:
Observation-Disclosures Bradford"
She pondered for a moment over my
suggestion and then turned to walk
with me toward the apartment house.
What were the men like? she
asked.
I described them as best 1 could,
though really the impression that the
youth on the bench had left was vague.
His voice, an insolent, hoarse, uncul-
tiyated one, was almost all I could re-
call about him.
Il wonder who they were2 1 Won
der how they knew"
"Knew what?
Her lips frightened into a straight
| line.
81 can't tell you. 1 daren't. 1t isn't
my secret"
BY this time we had reached her
home and the bowling doorman was
swinging back the great iron door
! for us. 1t had been my intention tc
announce my arrival, but recalling
that Miss Bradford had said that the
CASTOR apartment was on the same
hoor as hers, I stepped with her into
the elevator. When it had descended
leaving us together in the corridor
she turned to me and offered her hand
THANK you SO much, Mr.. Nelson. ,
wish you'd let me help you."
cried.
| She shook her head.
well, promise me one thing" I in
sisted.
What is it?"
THAT you never again will 90 alon,
to the park to meet those men,"
A tremor shook her body, and one,
more a look of terror crept into he,
eyes.
Il can't promise that. l must NEE
them. must mustr
reached out and took her hand
Promise me, then, that before yo,
go again you will let me know"
"You must not try to stop nv On
ing" she cried desperately and free
ing her hand turned quickly and un
locking her door left me standin,
there alone, staring after her.
Perplexed beyond measure as f.
what / ought to do, after a moment
pressed the bell and was admitted +
the CASTOR apartment and to the pres
ence Of my aged relatives.
/ Under the same roof with