The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1921-08-05

Until you reach some final decision
yes that is my mission"
Il shall see to that at once; we will
draw lots. You can wait either In this
room, or another just beyond. Prom
lse you will not go until see and talk
with you again."
Il promise that-so you are not too
long. l must make that train"
you shall make 1t. My car is only
two blocks away and pledge myself
to have you there on time. All this
business can be attended to in hale an
hour"
He stepped back, partially closing
the door, while she turned, her own
hand on the latch, facing me. Her
eyes stared directly into mine. her
face whitening under the light, her
teeth shutting down close against the
red lips as though to repress a scream.
She was startled almost beyond -on-
troll, yet mastered the fright instantly.
She glanced about at the partially
open door, and silently closed 1t tight
ly.
"What-what are you doing hereT"
she gasped in English, her voice trem-
bling. "Listenlng?"
mo" l lied, seeing but one pos
sible means of escape, and hoping
thus to prevent her sounding an i'm
mediate alarm. II was waiting for a
friend who is inside. just came into
this ROOM"
"You actually belong here, then7
Vot, ora opa Of efhrsn MOI,
"Not exactly" l had to admit. 81
know one of them very well, and he
stationed me out here"
She appeared puzzled, doubtful, yet
to my surprise still held the door tight
ly closed, her eyes searching my face.
"Who is the man you know-yOur
particular friendT
hesltated an instant, the name es-
Gaping me.
"l1orner."
"Oh, indeed; you we're not very
prompt to answer"
"Well," l said, and managed to
smile, as though 1t was of little conse-
quence, "you see have not always
known him by that name. There are
times when names need to be changed
occasionally"
True" she admitted soberly. "Do
you mind gratifying the curiosity of
woman as to what his real name
might be?"
II could not, If ! so desired. Ever
since l knew him he has been called
Harris That is all can say"
Harris Then he is not Chilean,
and never before pretended to be.
thought that from the first. Is the
man American, English or Irish?"
/ shook my head.
"You won't answer. That may be
ignorance or 1t may be pretense. Never
mind. recognize your face now. You
were the man eating in the saloon an
hour or so ago. Were you waiting for
this Horner-alIas Harris-than"
I'VE met later"
Her lips smiled little, and her
eyes.
"Dld I merely dream that you APP
peared somewhat interested In me at
the time, or was It true2"
1T was true" ! answered honestly.
"YOu did interest me. You didn't APP
pear the sort to be making a rem
devious out of a saloon, however re-
spectacle 1t might be. The proprietor
even volunteered the Information that
you were his niece"
"Did he, indeed2 That was very
nice OF him, wasn't it2 Rather odd, is
1t not, that you should later drop In
here, and find me again. What dc
you think Of me nOw?"
looked at her for a moment before
answered, unable to frame my words
to any satisfaction. What did she
mean? What exactly was she driving
at? Her whole manner puzzled me ex.
ceedingly. Was she playing me for a
fool? Was she attempting to lead me
on for some secret purpose of hel
own? Did she believe my explana-
tlon? and. If not, why did she fall to
throw open that door, and denounce
me at once as a spy2 There, In thai
soft light. she appeared more attrac
tive than ever, and so peculiarly WON
anIy as to seem utterly out of place In
this scene Of plot and crime. IT was Q
young face, bright, animated, which
fronted me, the dark eyes smiling AnC
unafraId, gazing straight into mine
with a challenge In their depths, Hel
very attitude piqued me, aroused me
to defense. / desired to hold her re
spect her interest; nothing she nigh
say. or do. served to lower her IN m!