The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-10-26

gineers In this city, but, since my re-
turn. have not resumed professional
work. Having been wounded in
France. have felt entitled to little
rest after my return"
Quite interesting, am sure" Coo
lidge turned to the colonel. "You are
southern also. believer
Every much So" was the quick re-
sponse. "And I chance to know tho
name Of Judge West rather well.
Congratulate your niece on her choice
OLA life companion. There Is no bet
ter blood in Georgia"
West passed the ensuing evening
rather pleasantly, although obliged to
be always on his guard against any
incautious remark. Mr. Percival Coo
lidge, was outwardly cordial enough,
yet his manner continued distinctly
reserved, and somewhat cold. West,
however, attributed this largely to the
nature Of the man, and finally dis
missed the thought from his mind al
together. The person who continued
to puzzle him most was Natalie Coo
idge, nor was he able to approach
her In any way SO as to obtain a whis-
pered private word Of guidance. He
ventured upon thin ice once or twice
most carefully, but the information
obtained was fnflniteslmal, although 1t
bore to some extent on the problem
confronting him. The colonel Innocent
ly lifted the veil slightly, permitting
him to learn that this was a weekend
party, and that Miss Coolidge was the
mistress OF the place, her parents hav-
ing been dead for two years. Percival
Coolidge, her fathers brother, and q
manufacturer in the city, was her
guardian, and the affairs Of the estate
were not yet entirely liquidated Be-
yond this he apparently knew moth
ing of the family history, which he
felt r2 liberty to communicate.
West was assigned to escOre Miss
Willis, "A tall willowy blonde, and
quite talkative, Into dinner. but her
conversation ran largely to the the
atrical offerings In town, and he found
1t impossible to change her trend Of
thought into other channels. Once the
smiling Natalie appealed to him, IA
miliarly calling him Matt across the
table, and he responded with equal in
timacy, yet her eyes avoided his, and
1t was plainly evident to his self-con-
sciousness, that her remark was
merely part Of the play. More and
more her actions mystified and per-
picked; he could not discover the key
to her hidden motive, or guess at her
purpose in this masquerade. Nothing
remained but for him to go quietly for
ward, playing the part assigned. She
coolly and deliberately defeated every
effort he made to get her alone, and
yet this was accomplished In q man.
ner 30 as not to attract the attention
OF others. Even reTc!va! Coolidge.
who, West felt, was watching them
both shrewdly, never suspected the
quiet game OF hide and seek being
played under his very eyes. AS the
evening progressed West became al
most convinced that Natalie's princi-
pal object was to deceive this gentle
man: that she really cared nothing for
what the others might think, or say.
1t was all a masterpiece of acting, SO
exceedingly well done. rs to finally
convince the young man that she was
greatly In earnest as to its success.
She desired Percival Coolidge to have
no lingering doubt Of her engagement.
And, finding all opportunity Of ex-
planation denied him, West yielded to
the inevitable, and, for the evening at
least. silently accepted his fate.
Nor did circumstances favor him
when the company finally broke up,
and retired for the night. He had
thought this moment might be propi-
tious, but she calmly Outgeneraled
him again, suddenly bidding the men
remain and smoke as long as they
pleased, and disappearing herself up
the stairway with Miss Willis. West,
convinced that her retirement was
final, soon sought his own room. 1t
was eleven o'clock of a bright, moon
light night, and, feeling in no degree
sleepy, he seated himself at the win.
dow to finish his cigar. Again and
again his mind reviewed the strange
events Of the evening. unable to ar.
rive at any definite conclusion. The
harder he sought to delve into the mys.
terry, the more obscure It became.
He had, indeed, reached some con.
clusions already. These might not be
correct: yet they were already i'm.
planted in his mind. The guests OF
the night, were mere puppets, having
no real connection with the game be.
ing played, utterly ignorant of what
was going on behind the scenes. The
only one present having any real part
was Percival Coolidge, and West had
taken an instinetlve dislike to this
man. Only one explanation flashed
into his mind to account for Miss Coo.
lidge's unexpected announcement OF
an engagement between them-ttifs
would excuse any future intimacy