The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-11-09

as my lance. Why, that Is positively
funny. Didn't you know that was
only part Of the game being played p
"Yes," he said, ignoring the humor
Of 1t, and feeling oddly sober, II un.
derstood. and was playing, the same
as you. Only both Of us. I think, for
get an important fact"
"What, pleaseF"
THAT we were young, socially on q
level. and that you were an exceed
ingly charming young woman"
She laughed again, yet this time with
more restraint
"That is quite ridiculous, Captain
West. Surely, you are not actually
making love to meT
mo, / am not. I am merely facing
the situation very frankly. It would
be useless for me to claim lack of in.
terest In you.. From our very first
meeting you have appealed to me
strongly-mOre SO than any other wo
man Of my acquaintance. confess I
care for you-as woman"
Really you are quite f1attering.
never dreamed I possessed such mar
velous powers" She remained silen,
moment, her eyes shaded by theI,
long lashes; then uplifted them agaiI
to his face. "This makes 1t all thu
more necessary that I now speak plain
ly," she went on ut length, THAT
should explain to you 1t has all beer
q mistake. That was why asked VOL
to come here now"
"All q mistake! Not the troubt
you weSe In, surely7"
AYes. I must have dreamed most a
II, I think. I have just had a long,
confidential talk with Percival Cool.
ldge, and we understood each other
perfectly. Everything has been ex-
plnined. So there Is no necessity for
our pretending any longer"
West rose to his feet, comprehend.
Ing her full meaning, yet unwilling to
yield his position without further ex-
PLANTATION.
your words are certainly plain
enough" he said slowly. "yet I trust
may be pardoned II I ask question
or so. Do you mean the mystery Is
already solved witfiSut my further
assistance?"
II am convinced there was no mys-
terry; that Il was only imagination,
Captain West. My calling you was a
mistake"
''There is no one impersonating
yOu?"
mo"
'The checks at the bank; the
strange person using your name; all
these were mythsT"
She laughed.
"Of course. I really believed all I
said to you at the time, but everything
has been explained since, and real
lie how very foolish I have Deen."
"You sent for me, then, merely to
say I was dismissed3"
."Yes."
"And you told Coolidge, Of course
how I came to be here2"
"Yes."
"And the others7 What will they
think2"
"Why. that can make no difference.
Let them suppose we had a quarrel,
and that our engagement Is brokeA."
and she laughed again. evidently vast
ly amused at the idea.
"But you, personality" he insisted.
She sobered instantly, also rising,
s:d facing HIN.
captain West, let us be sensible. I
invited you here for a certain pur-
pose. You were employed as much as
any Of my other servants. Is that q
sufficient answer?"
1T certainly Is. will depart at
once"
'Thank you. The Limousine will be
at the door. You will return to the
club, presume2"
Temporarily. until other arrange
ments are made"
He bowed and left her standing
there In the shadows, the expression
of her face yelled. but there seemed
no response, no softening in the rigid
attitude Of her figure. She did not
care; was only interested I'm his i'm.
mediate departure. The change had
occurred with such abruptness, West
was unable as yet to realize its full
Significance. but, with no attempt to
combat her decision. left the room,
closing the door behind him.