The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-06-18
CHAPTER X.

For full minute Claire Bradford
and ! stood there observing each 9TH
er. Even before word was spoken
/ think we both sensed our mutual
distrlst. AS ! studied her, was try
Ing to conjecture what could have
been the motive so impelling that she
had dared to come even within prison
walls to see me. Had Barbara sent
her? | doubted 1t. was sure that
more than likely her visit was to
plead with me to keep silent about
her part In the tragedy. was GER
tain she was going to ask me to pledge
my word to tell no one Of her second
visit to the CASTOR apartment.
Yet as l studied her weak, beautiful
face, so like Barbara's and yet SO diff
ferent, with its sensuous mouth and
rowing brilliant eyes, still was won
dering how 1t was possible for a girl
of her refinement and social position
to have become enmeshed with such
common criminals as the two EN-
ployees of the Granddeck, Wick and
the telephone girl.
ITO what am indebted for the
honor Of this visit" asked at length,
adding with some sarcasm, "from my
sister,"
Never for second had l imagined
that other than a selfish motive could
have brought her thither, and the con-
versation that followed was all the
more surprising to me on that ac-
count.
II had to say / was your sister,"
she answered quickly. 81 wanted to
be sure of seeing you and / did not
wish anyone to recognize me. You
know, believe, who I amp
''You are Barbara's sister, I re-
Piled
That's why came" she cried, "for
Barbara's sake. have come to plead
with you for her."
'To plead-with me-for her."
echoed In astonishment.
Eyes" she cried passionately.
shes young. She's little more than
child. She did not realize what she
was doing. You must not let anyone
know you even know her. You must
never, never tell"
"Never tell what?" I answered non
committally.
She answered with convulsive sob.
/ thought for little that she was
going to break down completely. Her
manner and the pallor of her face
attracted the attention of the keeper
who was in the room with us, and he
started forward as If expecting her
to fall in faint. Resolutely she
pulled herself together and went on
in calmer tones.
ooh, l know all about 1t. | know
that she is completely fascinated by
you. know that she has been meet
Ing you in the park. know that
she has lunched with you at the
Aston" She hesitated and her face
crimsoned-"I know that she has even
visited you in your rooms late at
night, Oh, please. please, l beg of
you, If there is spark of manhood
in you, do not take advantage of a
silly girls weakness. Please help me
protect my little sisters name; prom
ise--you will, won't your
"Why should ~ l replied careless
~, depressing my desire to leap at
once to Barbara's defense and explain
how pure and honorable her conduct
had been' and how lofty the motive
that had governed her actions.
Tempted though was to defend her
realized that this might be an op-
portunity to learn something of Claire
Bradford's associates, and deter
mined to make the most of 1t. How
else could she know of all nv meet
ings with Barbara unless she was In
league with the persons who had been
having me Swallowed? How the
knowledge that Barbara had been in
my apartment could have come to her
was a mystery beyond me. would
have sworn that that was a secret sa-
cred TO our two selves.
Listen to me-" she commanded
speaking in low tones, Barbara is
my baby sister, innocent of the WAYS
of the world. l must save her from
herself, and her heedlesSness. Never.
never, II l can help 1t, shall she suffer
the agony and shame and disgrace
that l have known. Years ago /. lust
as she is now, became infatuated with
a man far below me In the social
scale. He, TOO, was criminal"
shifted indignantly at the ''he,
too" but she paid no attention.
Il ran away from school and mar
ried him and learned too late that he
had a wife and child already. All my
life, ever since, that terrible thing has
followed me. It's like specter ever
rising to confront me. Even If | have
to kill yous l am going to save my lit.
tie sister from following in my stems. /"
Where is CASTOR Maurice now" /
asked. Have you seen him recent;yY"
She gasped and shuddered, looking
at me mcredulously.
/ "Ynu v cha hraa tbo,3 ,....4-, ~, a,