Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-02-02
CHAPTER ni.-continued.

Mr.. Shaw looked at me steadily. His
Eyes were the kind that seem to see
all and reveal nothing. | felt a hot
shark of defiance rising In Hay own.
AHd indeed II is too bad he said
coolly, that the trip should not be
more to Miss Hardlng's liking" The
rough edges of his Scotch burr had
been sm0othed down by much wander
Ing, but you knew at once on which
side OF the Solway he had seen the
tight.
1T is not a question OF my liking"
7 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 adyentur-
er, this man who had often faced
death, | could not refuse to believe,
as steadily as he was facing me now.
1T is not at all a question of my
liking or not liking the trip. but OF the
trip itself belng-quite the widest
thing eve heard out of a story-book."
"Ah-yet the world would be poorer
If certain wild trips had not been TAX
Ell. ! seem to remember one Chris
TOPPER Columbus. for Instance.
. BY q vivid lightning fash of wrath
| felt that this adventurer was laugh
Ing at me under his sober exterior
eve stirring me up as one does nm
angry kitten.
yes" | fiared out. but Columbus
did not inveigle a c0nfiding old fady
to go along with hint" OF course
Aunt Jane is not. properly speaking.
an old lady. hnt-ft-wus- much more
effective TO pose her as one for the
moment.
1t was certainly effective. 10 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"
He waited until the Honorable Cuth-
bert, looking rather dazed. had retired.
We stood facing each other. my breath
coming rather hurriedly.
Miss Harding" he said slowly,
that was a bitter word you said"
My head went up.
Bitter, perhaps | flung back, hut
Is 1t not true7 1t Is for you TO an
swer."
mo, 1t is not for me to answer. be-
cause Ii is not for you to ask. But
since you talk of I%nveigling. let me
give you the history of my connection
with the expedition. You will under
stand then that / had nothing to do
with organizing 1t, but vas merely en-
gagged to do my best to carry 1t
through TO success"
II have already heard a version Of
the matter from Mr.. Yane"
"And you think he is In the con-.
spiracy, too?"
Certainly not" l replied hastily. 81
mean-of course, know he told me
exactly what he believes himself"
Then l suppose you consider that
he was inveigled, o p.
Il am not required 10 consider Mr..
yane's. status at ALL | replied with
dignity. ut Is my aunt whom j wish
70 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 a big man, though of lesser height
ihnn the superb Cuthbert-in a way
I couldn't quite understand. And whaf
! don't understand always makes me
uncomfortable.
VERY well,' he said after a pause.
Maybe your opportunity will come
Ii would be a pity indeed II Miss
Harding were 10 require no protect.
Ing and a young lady here with such
a good will to il. But IL you Will take
she suggestion of a man OF rather
broader experience than your own
you VIII walt until the occasion arises.
II fs bud generaIshIp, really. to waste
your ammunition like this"
II dare SAY j am not . master OF
strategy" cried, furious at myself
for my moment OF weakness n at
him for the softening tone which bad
erepf into his voice. Il ann merely
honest. Aad when see Aunt Jane
hypuotized-by this Violet person
~And indeed | ave seen no reason
70 think that Miss Higgsesby- Browne