The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-12-14

IN u measure tnht ~ quite uuOt
feeling the sharp sting Of her words.
"Yet the comparison is hardly fair, Is
Il? am not "a detective In the sense
with which you employ the term. You
knew / was not serving you for pay"
did n"
81 should hope you did" his voice
hardening slightly.
"But for what other end did you
volunteer your services7'
perhaps that Is not so easily ex-
planned. II was n spirit Of adventure
which first led me to answer your ad.
vertIsement, presume. At least, l
cun give II no other name Then, when
we met, you appealed to me personal
ly; I felt a desire to further our ac-
quaintance and - well, your story
aroused my interest.
as that all?"
ut might have been had not you
chosen methods OF procedure which led
me TO other thoughts"
She laughed.
"Oh, sect All this has happened
because introduced you to the others
as my fance. Why, that Is positively
funny. Didn't you know that was
only part Of the game being playedT
Yes" he said, ignoring the humor
Of IT, and feeling oddly sober. 81 UNI
derstood, and was playing. the same
as you. Only both Of us, think, for
get an important fact"
what, pleaseT
"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 mel"
"No. am not. am merely facing
the situation very frankly. 1t 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. I confess /
care for you--as a woman"
"Really you are quite fiatterlng. I
never dreamed l possessed such mar
velous powers" she remained silent
a moment, her eyes shaded by their
long lashes; then uplifted them again
to his face. This makes It all the
more necessary that now speak plain
ly." she went on at length, 'That I
should explain to you II has all been
a mistake. That was why asked you
to come here now"
IAN a mistake! Not the trouble
you were In, surelyT
ayes. must have dreamed most Of
1t. l think. ] have just had a long,
confidential talk with Perclval Cool.
idge, and we understood each other
perfectly. Everything has been ex-
planned. 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 trust
may be pardOned IL l ask a question
or so. Do you mean the mystery is
already solved without my further
asslstance?"
II am convinced there was no mys.
terry; that II was only Imagination,
Captain West. My calling you was
mistake"
"rhere Is no one impersonating
youT
"NO."
1.-THE checks at the bank; the
strange person using your name; all
these were mythsl"
She laughed.
"Of course. really believed all
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 was dlsmissedT
"Yes."
"And you told Coolidge, of course.
how / came to be here?"
eyes"
"And the othersG What win they
Think"
"Why that can make no difference
Let them suppose we had a quarrel.
md that our engagement Is broken"
and she laughed again. evidently vast.
ly amused at the idea.
But you, personality" he insisted.
She sobered instantly, also rising.
and facing him.
Captain West, let us be sensible. I
Invited you here for certain pur.
pose You were employed as much as
any Of my other servants. Is that a
sufficient answer"
1T certainly Is. will depart at
once"
"rhank you. The limousine will he
at the door You viii return 10 the
club, | presumeT
Temporarily. until other arrange.
ments are made"
He bowed and left her stnpdng
there In the shadows, the expression
Of her face yelled, hut there seemed
no response, no softening IN the rigid
attitude Of her figune Che d,1 =.