Graham guardian., 1922-10-24
nave had a nightmare. What aid. shs

"Oh, I only had q glimpse In the
moonlight; resembled ghost mors
than anything else"
"And Just about what II was" with
laugh of relief, "Some dream you
better forget about. Come along; they
are waiting on ,rs"
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 nina 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. Percivai 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
du:.es TO the constant laughing chat.
te- 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 n variety of de-
sires. which Natalie arranged to graft.
fy. Coolidge rather to the surprise
Of the lady. suggested that Natalie &C.
company him into the city on 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. ut must be attended to
tOday?"
''rhe case is very urgent, am told"
"But how can leave my guests
especially Captain WestT
West leaned forward.
DO not hesitate on my account.
can easily amuse myself; or, IL there
Is room, and 1t is not disagreeable to
Mr.. Coolidge, 1 might enjoy being Of
the party"
"Why. Of course" she colncided
eagerly. "Why couldn't he come
along? There will be plenty of room
II | operate the car. II Is q case of
destitution Of which Uncle Percival
has just learned--a widow and three
children actually suffering. Surely 1t
can do no harm for Captain West to
accompany usT'
Coolidge exhibited no enthusiasm
over the proposition; indeed West felt
his response almost discourteous; yet
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 ] 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 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 secret conference
with Perclval
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 love |
affair with SO young and attractive a
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
volyed In q conspiracy Of some nature,
undoubtedly connected with the ap-
settlement Of the Coolidge
estate. This girl. SO strangely resem.
bling Natalie. had in some way been
discovered by the schemlng guardian,
who was now using her for his own
selfish ends. She had been selected.
and trnined TO act :, part-the part Of
Natalie Coolidge. Her ability TO de
reive had been tested In various ways.
Now the moment approached when
hey were ready to play out the real
game. Yet the nature Of that game
was in no way apparent. He could
,nly keep quiet. aad walt for some