American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-06-17
v.
A Strange Appointment

1t wide open before / realized the ne
cessity of retreat, and l was hemmed
In behind Its barrier, fortunately Sc
curely hidden from the eyes of those
In the larger apartment. Some one
Alva, no doubt, from his words and
voice-was beside her as she emerged,
and. indeed. Ii might have been his
hand hat swung the door back against
me. 1 stood there startled, unable to
move, afraid that my very breathing
might be overheard.
You leave at midnight, you say,
senorita," he protested In Spanish
shut surely you intend TO remain at
PRESENT."
Until you reach some final decision
yes that is my mission"
81 shall see to hat at once; we will
draw lots. You can wait either in this
room, or another just beyond. Prom
Use you will not go until / see and talk
with you again."
81 promise that-so you are not too
long. l must make that train"
1Ou bhulA lhunC IL MY NhA 10 WHY
two blocks away, and ! pledge myself
to have you there on time. All this
business can be attended to In half an
hour"
He stepped back, partially closing
the door, while she turned, her own
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 o
troll, yet mastered the fright instantly.
open door, and silently closed 1t tight
ly.
"What-what are you doing herer'
she gasped in English, her voice trem-
bling. ~"Listening?"
mo-" / lied, seeing but one pos
sible of escape, and hoping
thus to prevent her sounding an ina
mediate alarm. 81 was waiting for q
friend who is inside. l just came into
this room"
"You actually belong here, thenT
You are n OF these menT"
SHOT exactly" / had to admit. II
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 mar you knOw-your
particular friendT'
/ hesitated an instant, the name es-
Gaping me.
"HOTner."
-oh, indeed; you were not very
prompt to answer"
WELL / said, and managed to
smile, as though It 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 a
woman as to what his real name
might beg"
81 could not, If ] so desired. Ever
since I knew him be has been called
Harris. That is all / can say"
"Harrisi Then he Is not Chilean.
and never before pretended 20 be. !
thought that from the first. Is the
man American, English r Irish7"
shook my head.
"You wOn'c answer That may be
Ignorance or IT may be p%retense. Never
mind. ] recognize your faee now. You
were the man eating in the saloon an
hour or 30 ago. Were you waiting for
this Horner-alias Harris-thenY"
1--WE met later
Her lips smiled a little, and her
eyes.
did ] merely dream that you APP
peared somewhat interested In me at
the time, or was II trueT'
at was true" / answered honestly.
"You did interest me. You didn't ap-
pear the sort to be making q rem
devious out OF a saloon, however re-
spectacle 1t might be. The proprietor
even volunteered the information that
you were his rier~'
"Did he, indeed7 That was very
nice Of him, wasn't It'll Rather odd, il
II not, that you should later drop in
here, and ind me again. What do
you think OF me nOw1"
] looked at her for a moment before
| answered, unable 10 frame my words
TO any satisfaction. What did she
mean? What exactly was she driving
at? Her whole amer puzzled me ex-
ceedingly Wa she playing me for o
fool? Was she attempting 10 lead me
on for some secret purpose Of her
ownf Did she believe my explana-
ton? and. II not, why did she fail to
throw open that door, and denOunce
me at once an a spyf There. IN that
soft light, abe appeared more attrac-
tive than ever, and 20 peculiarly wom-
AMY as TO seem utterly out of place In
this scene Of plot and crime. II was o
young face, bright, animated, which
fronted me. the dark eyes smiling and
unafrald, gazing straight into mine
with a challenge In their depths. Her