The Dolores star., 1921-03-11
CHAPTER XVI.

Quite ohlivious OF her uncie's depar-
ture for San Francisco, Shirley lay
awake throughout the remainder OF
the night, turning over and over In her
mind the various aspects Of the Cardi-
ranPennlngton Imbroglio. OF one
thing she was quite certain; peace
must be declared at all hazards. She
realized that she had permitted mat
tiers TO go too far. A reyulsion OF feel
Ing toward her uncle. induced by the
memory of Bryce Cardigun's blood on
her white finger tips convinced the
girl that. at all hazards to her finan-
clal future. henceforth she and her
uncle must tread separate paths. She
had found him out at last and because
in her nature there was some OF his
own tNIty OF purpose. the resolution
cost her no particular panG.
She had been obsessed of desire.
rather unusual in her sex. to see
fight worth while: she had planned to
permit 1t to 20 to u knockout. to use
Bryce Cnrdigan's language. because
she believed Bryce Cardigan would be
rnnguished-nnd she had desired to
see him smashed-but not beyond re-
pair, for her JOY In the conflict was
to lie In the task OF putting the pieces
together ufterwurd!
II was rather relief. therefore.
when the imp"r'urbable James handed
her at brcs4fnst the following note: r
shirley Dear:
After leaving you last night. de.
cided that IN your present frame of
mind my absence for few days might
tend to culncr and clearer percep-
ton, on your part. Of the necessary
tactics which In moment OF despers
'ion. | saw 1T. with regret. to pursue
last night. And In the hope that you
VIII have attained your old attitude
toward me before my return, I am
leaving In The motor for San Fran
cisco. Your terrible nccusa ton has
gricNcd me to such an extent that do
not feel equal TO the task of confront
ing you until. In q more judicial frame
Of mind. you can truly absolve me Of
the charge OF wishing to do away with
young Cardigan.
"YOur affectIonate
"UNCLE SETH"
Shirley's lip curled With a rarer
keener intuition than she had hitherto
manifested. she sensed the hypocrisy
between the lines; she was not de-
ceived
He has gone to San Francisco for
more ammunition she solilOQuized
Every well. unkie-d dunk! While
you're away. | shall manufacture a
few bombs myself"
After breakfast she left the house
and walked to the Intersection OF Il
with Water street. Jules ROndeau and
his crew of lumberJacks were there
and with two policemen guarded the
crossing.
Shirley looked from the woods bully
10 the locomotive and back to Ron
deau.
"Rondeau," she said. "Mr. Cardigan
is bad man to fight. You fought him
once. Are you going to do 1t again?"
lie nodded.
by whose OrderS?"
Mr.. Sexton, she tell me to do It."
well, ROndeau. some day I'll be
boss OF Laguna Grnnde and there'll be
no more fighting" she replied. and
passed on down B street to the Office
Of the Cardigan Redwood Lumber
company. Moira McTavish looked up
as she entered.
where is he, dear?" Shirley asked.
II must see him"
I'm thnt office. Miss Shirley" MoIra
replied. and pointed to the door. Shir-
ley stepped to the door. knocked. and
then entered. Bryce Cardigan. seated
at his desk. looked up rs she came In.
His left arm was in sling. and he
looked harassed and detected.
Don't get up. Bryce" she said as he
attempted to rise. II know you're quite
exhausted. You look It." She sat
down. "I'm so sorry" she said softly.
His dull glance Frightened. at
doesn't amount to that. Shirley" And
he snapped his fingers. ut throbs n
little and it's stiff and sore. so l carry
it in the sling. That helps a little.
What did you want to see me about?"
II wanted to tell you" said Shirley.
"that-tlat last nights affair was not
Of my making" He smiled compass
sionately. IL couldn't bear to have
you think I'd break my word and tell
him."
"It never occurred to me that you
had dealt me hand from the bottom
Of the deck, Shirley. Please don't
worry about 1t. Your uncle has had
two private detectives watching Ogilvy
and me-