The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-02-27
CHAPTER 496

-a CHAPTER 496
 Copyright, 1920, King Feauture Syn
 dicate. Inc.
 Maybe Dick is in trouble" I re- piled with a random air. "A drug fend might easily collapse and land in hospital where they didn't even know him. If he has any friends, should think they'd investigate. But l don't suppose any one cares much what becomes of a man Of his cali bre'
 II care!" Dad Lee flung out.
 'Is it mutua1?'' I asked, still with seeming care1essness.
 He's a good friend of mine-of me and mine," corrected Dad Lee. T like that boy. There's no body I'm fonder of--excepting of course my own little filly.'
 Since you're so fond of him, here's what I'd do if I were you" said with slow emphasis. 'Td get word to him that Slim Darrow's in Ja1l-and that this town is a bit too hot-and too wise-to hold men who skulk in the dark and shoot unarm- ed, unwarned victims Dick Vests game is about up, Dad Lee. And if you're interested in him you might prove it by seeking him out-tf he's aNVe-and telling him that he never hao me fooled for a minute and he isn't fooling me now"
 FWhat do you mean? ?" demanded Dad Lee breathlessIy "Ara vol, glVlng me warning to deliver O West-R I can locate him 9"
 Something like that" replied.
 6ut why! You never liked the poor boy. If he had a game to n1av your be inclined to queer it instead of helping it along. Why would vol, bebe sending Dick a warning in m'dear?" -ii'
 May De hate the idea. of another friend of yours landing himself in tfoubIe, I replied smoothly. "It aces rather reflect upon me and my family, you know
 Lad Lee eyed me with a mixture of shneWdness and apprehension. Then ne began wagging his head sage1y as he mumbled;
 LOOKS like you might be Jealous oi my friendship for poor West" he o01U 9C last. Appears as if you " ant me to gallop off goodness knows where and deliver him a lot of 1aes- sages that can't do you any good and that will only Tile him. You see. want to be loyal to my poor young friend West and to you, too, m,dear, 50 guess I won't enter this race daughter, daughter. ds # as bad as all that?"
 As bad as all what ?" I asked will, what patience l could muster for the inoek-heroics of his last words.
 mat you're sending me off on a. M "Ito goose chase after Dick because you've some reason for wanting to run your poor old dad out of to7z,,a SHms gne. Dicks missing. no you want your poor old dad to be p!G out or the way. too ?'' .:2
 - -tAere was enough truth in Dad n guess that I wouldn't mind eat. [lng rid of him to haul me up short TOT the minute, so I replied cfrcun,- specify: 'iii- ,,1 course you must do as you please about giving my messaea to Dick West. But if you could Ior. ro him, I think you'd do every one cono cerneo good turn by giving him nv message" --i-ii iiiy
 Maybe if you want to get a mes sage to him. the one to send if hv 5s 1hat high and mighty young wo1oan 1oWn In your husbands office, snicL- cred Dad Lee with an intent I couId hardly fathom 'o
 ,.N, nat do you mean?'' demanded 5io1l notnlns Only maybe she I. Oi1h1e-poy better than she's et on to you. Maybe that time won , met me down to your husbands office was mere to see if she'd tell roa where D1ck is, Instead of being there 70 spy on your husband, as vo1, was Ink!no T, enough to let me see you was m'dear."
 we raced each other then for a ;o,. T co eye. And the ques-
 hardly permitted myself to entertain in the deepest recessas of my. mind burst from me then
 IeH me the truth,' cried. eT.et,s nave done with pretense. We've nott, ng 10 gain by evading facts. Yo,,,re alone In the city - and no 1onoer young I'll not desert you now-nn- Ter any conditions I wont leave you to your own resources. I'll stand oy: But first must ask you one brn- lalIy frank question. Will you an- 'Wer 1t? Will you swear to answer nothing but the truth ?''
 Sure I will. Since when flo 4, my Ally anything but the truth ?" asked Did Lee, eyeing me s5hrewd1v
 Then tell me-teu me why vol, anne across the country to meet me Tell me what you are to me? For in my heart feel that you can't be"-
 Cant be anything but the best pr friends to you, eh. m'dear-in sufte or my fondness for the poor boy you 'AoNIS -4A(S11-upueQ Lad Lee SauVely- Il guess you're nervous and over wrought today. my girl. I guess you had something put up on you-or you wouldn't hurt your old dad by raking up all these things That's it. afnt's ?''
 'No, it isn't!" cried 'T can't be- 1eVe that my father would ever be friends with men like Slim Darrow and Dick West can't believe that 
 Again Dad Lee interrupted me with an air of thority there was no de- ny1ng:
 ''Yiou're like your mother She was to me. too. But she loved me for all that. Do you aet up to be to your motherZ"
 'Is it fair for you to talk this way?' cried inpatient1y.
 Fair" repeated Dad Lee with a dignity hadn't known he possessed. T come across the country to see you 1sr-1 NTo- rI.<, IL