The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-01-13


den visit to Colorado. But what7 She
gave little credence to the vague sus-
picions advanced by Valois; that was
altogether too impossible, too melodra-
matte, this thought of the substitution
or some other body. No doubt there
had been a crime committed, It's object
the attainment of money, but without
question the cost had been the life of
Frederick Cavendfsh.
The harsh clang Of the dinner-bell
from the porch below aroused her to a
sense of hunger.
Ten minutes later Timmons, guilt
less or any coat, but temporarily lay
Ing aside his pipe as a special act OF
courtesy, escorted her into the dining
room and seated her at a table be-
tween the two front windows. Evil
IDENTIFY this was reserved for the more
distinguished guests-traveling men
and those paying regular day rates
, Tor Its only other occupant was an in
dividual in a check suit.
A waitress, red-haired. slovenly
girl, with an impediment in her speech,
took her order and disappeared in the
direction of the kitchen, and Miss
Donovan discreetly lifted her eyes to
observe the man sitting nearly op-
posite. He was not prepossessing,
yet she instantly recognized his type.
and the probability that he would adj
Dress her IL the slightest opportunity
occurred.
The waitress spread out the various
dishes before her, and she glanced at
them hopelessly. AS she lifted her
gaze she met that Of her vis-a-vis fair
ly, and managed to smile.
"Some chuck" he said in an at
tempt at good-fellowship, "but not
to remind you Of the Waldorf-Astoria." >"
u should say not" she answered
testing one Of her dishes cautiously
But why associate me with New
York;"
"You can't hide those things IN q
JOINT like this. When did you leave
New York;"
"Oh, more than a week ago" she
He'd gracefully.
He stroked his moustache.
Ihen L suppose you haven't much
late New York news? Nothing start
ling, mean?"
mo; only what has been renorted IN
the western papers. I do not recall
anything particularly interesting" She
dropped her eyes to her plate and
busied herself with a piece of tough
beef "The usual murders, Of course,
and things Of that kind"
Ihere was moments silence. then
the n,aI laughed as though slightly Ill
at ease. "Whatever brought q girl like
you down in hereT
She smiled.
I'm feature writer; I'm doing
series on the West for Scribblers,",
she told him. 81 visit New Mexico
next, but I'm after something else be-
sides description of mountains and
men I'm also going to hunt up an old
friend interested in mining, who told
me if ever / got out this way / must
look him up. He was continually sing
ing this valleys charms, and so here
i am. And I'm planning great sur
prise on him. And, of course, I'm lit
orally drinking in atmosphere-to say
nothing of local color, which seems
mostly to be men and revolvers."
The man opposite wet his lips with
his tongue in an effort to speak, but
the girl vas busy eating and appar-
emily paid no attention. Her calm in
difference convinced him that her
words were entirely innocent, and his
audacity returned.
"Well," he ventured, "do you agree
with this prospector friend?"
"The scenery, you n,eanT glancing
up brightly. "Why, 1t Is wonderful, Of
course, and I am not at all sorry hav-
ing made the journey, although 1t
hardly compares with Tennessee Pass
or Silver Plume. Still, you know, 1t
will be pleasant to tell Mr.. Cavendish
when go back that I was here"
He choked and his face seemed to
whiten suddenly.
"Mr. Cavendishf" he gasped. "Of
New York; Not the one that was
killed?"
1t was her turn to stare across the
table her eyes wide with horror, which
she simulated excellently.
"Killed! Has a man by that name
been killed lately in New York; II
was Frederick Cavendish I referred
to-" Her pretense was admirable.
He was silent, realizing he had al.
ready said too much.
"Tell me-" she insisted, "has he
been killed? How do you known
Her earnestness. her perfect acting
convinced him. 1t was a mere coin
cidence. he thought, that this name
should have cropped up between them
but, now that 1t had. he must ex
plain the whole affair 80 as not tC
arouse suspicion. He cleared his
throat and compelled his eyes to meet
those across the table.
"Well, I don't know much about 1t
only what I read" he began, feeling
for words. "He was found dead In his
apartments, apparently killed by 6
burglar who had rified his SAFE"
She sat with her chin in the palm
Of one hand, watching him from be