Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-11-03

OF his seif-control.
"a caller! Of course not. What
put that in your head?"
Because | had one, in that room
you say you always occupied. The
visitor vanished as soon as I was
seen, and the thought occurred to me
just now that you might have been the
one sought
Perfectly absurd, Westl You must
have had nightmare. What did she
look like"
"Oh, only had glimpse in the
moonlight; resernbled a ghost more
than anything else"
And just about what it was" with
laugh of relief. "Some dream you
better forget about Come along; they
are waiting on u.s."
They passed up the steps together;
and into the pleasant breakfast room,
where the remainder of the company
were already gathered. Coolidge was
again perfectly at his ease, genially
greeting the guests, and had apparent
ly already dismissed the incident from
his mind. But West had settled on
point which Coolidge overlooked. He
had gained the very information de-
sired. He had carefully refrained
from even suggesting the sex of his
mysterious visitor. Percival Coolidge
knew, without being told, that the
caller was woman. Then he also
knew who that woman was.
The morning meal proved delightful
ly informal, Natalie gracefully pre-
siding, and apparently in the highest
! spirits. No intimation of anything
wrong burdened those present, the
+ single servant silently performing his
duties to the constant laughing chat
ter of those about the table. Even
Coolidge, somewhat distant at first,
yielded finally to the prevailing humor,
and joined freely in the conversation.
This turned at last to the plans for
the day, revealing a variety of de-
sires, which Natalie arranged to graft
fy Coolidge, rather to the surprise
OF the lady, suggested that Natalie ac-
company him into the city on a special
errand of mercy. At first, amid the
ceaseless clatter of tongues, West was
unable to grasp the nature of his plea,
or her reply, but finally overheard
enough to arouse his personal interest,
especially when his own name was
mentioned in the discussion
II was not aware you ever con-
cerned yourself in such matters" she
said soberly. 1T must be attended to
today?"
"The case is very urgent, am told"
But how can l leave my guests
especially Captain West?"
West leaned forward.
do not hesitate on my account.
can easily amuse myself; or, if there
is room, and it is not disagreeable to
Mr.. Coolidge. l might enjoy being Of
the party"
"Why, Of course" she conceded
eagerly. "Why couldn't he come
along? There will be plenty of room
if | operate the car 1t is a case of
restitution of which Uncle Percival
has just learned-a widow and three
children actually suffering. Surely it
can do no harm for Captain West to
accompany us?'
Coolidge exhibited no enthusiasm
over the proposition indeed West felt
hiC oil
this very suspicion aroused his own
desire to make one of the party. The
man was not pleased with this new
proposal, that was evident enough;
but the niece unquestionably desired
him to accept the invitation. Not
only her lips, but equally her eyes,
pressed the matter, and West expert
enced no hesitancy in saying yes.
"Why, of course l will co." he re-.
turned heartily, "and 1 will be ready
whenever you are"
"About half an hour then"
He retired to the room upstairs,
partly for the purpose of exchanging
his coat, but also half tempted to
make a hasty examination of the va
lise which Coolidge had thoughtlessly
left overnight. The conception had
already taken strong hold on his mind
that his visitor of the evening before
had been the mysterious impersonator
Of Natalie Coolidge; and that she had
come there with some deliberate pur.
pOse-no doubt a secret conference
with Percival.
For what purpose? To Vests mind
only one object appeared probable.
The man was too far advanced in life
certainly much above sixty from his
appearance-to be involved in a love
affair with so young and attractive
woman. Some other purpose, demand
ing immediate attention, must furnish
the reason for her venturing to enter
this house at such an hour, and COM
ing directly to the room where she
supposed Coolidge to be sleeping TO
Vests mind there could be but one
answer. The two were mutually in
volved in a conspiracy of some nature.
undoubtedly connected with the ap-
preaching settlement of the CooIidga