The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-12-02
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Mr. Shaw looked al me steadily. His
eyes were the kind that seem to see
all and reveal nothing. | felt hot
spark OF defiance rising in my own
And indeed II is too bad" he said
coOlly, shat the trip should not be
more TO Miss Hartling's liking" The
rough edges of his Scotch burr had
been smOothed down by much wander
ing. but you knew at once on which
side of the Soway he had seen the
light.
ut Is not question of my liking"
] retorted, trying to preserve an I'M
moved and lofty demeanor, though my
heart was beating rather quickly at
finding myself actually crossing
swords with the redoubtable adventur-
er, this man who had often faced
death, could not refuse to believe,
as steadily as he was facing me now
ut is not at all question of my
liking or not liking the trip. but of the
trip itself belng-quite the widest
thing ever heard out of story-book."
"Ah-yet the world would be poorer
II certain wild trips had not been TAX
en-. seem to remember one Chris
TOPPER Columbus, for instance"
BY vivid lightning flash of wrath
] felt that this adyenturer was laugh.
ing at me under his sober exterior
even stirring me up as one does an
angry kitten.
Eyes" flared out, 'but Columbus
did not inveIgle conhdng old lady
to go along with himw OF course
Aunt Jane is not. properly speaking.
an old lady, but IL was much more
effective to pose her as one for the
moment.
II was certainly effective, to Judge
by the sudden firm setting of his
mouth.
Lad" he said quietly. "lend a hand
below. will your They are overhaul
ing some OF our stuff tween decks"
lie waited until the Honorable Cuth-
bert, looking rather dazed. had retired.
We stood facing each other, my breath
coming rathef hurriedly.
"Miss Harding" he said slowly,
that was bitter word You said"
My head went up.
"Bitter, perhaps" flung back, but
Is II not true? II is for you to an
swer."
mo, II Is not for me to answer, be-
cause II Is not for you to ask. But
since you talk OF inveigling, let me
give you the history OF my connection
with the expedition. You will under
stand then that | had nothing to do
with organizing Il, but was merely en-
gagged 10 do my best to carry II
through to success"
II have already heard a version OF
the matter from Mr.. Vane"
"And you think he is in the con-
spiracy. toof'
Certainly not" / replied hastily. II
mean--of course, I know he told me
exactly what he believes himself"
"Then / suppose you consider that
he was inveigled. tooT"
II am not required TO consider ifr.
vane's status at ALL" I replied with
dignity. at is my aunt whom wish
10 protect And suddenly to my dis
may my voice grew husky. had to
turn my head aside and blink hard at
the sea-.
He stood looking down at me-he
was big man, though of lesser height
than the superb Cuthbert-in way
I couldn't quite understand. And what
I don't understand always makes me
uncomfortable.
VERY WELL" he said after a pause.
"sIaybe your opportunity win come
II would be a pity indeed IL Miss
Harding were to require no protect.
Ing and young lady here with such
a good. viii to Il. But II you will take
the suggestion OF a man Of rather
hroader experience than your own.
you will wait until the occasion arises.
II Is bad generalship. really. to waste
your ammunition ike this" :
Il dare say ! am not master Of
strstegy.- ! cried. furious at myself
for my moment OF weakness and at
him for the softening tone which had
cnept into his voice. Il am merely
houest. And when I see Aunt Jane
Approximately this Violet person.
-And indeed have seen no reason
~ think that Miss Higglesby- Browne