Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-11-18


me to know more clearly whose guest
am? Suppose, for instance, l had to
refer to our long friendship, II would
be extremely awkward not to even be
able to mention your name"
'My name! Why, of course, you
do not know what it is. Well. really
am not altogether certain that l do,
either. We will therefore compromise
on the one | am known by. which will
be safer. Allow me, Captain West to
She held out frankly neatly
gloved hand, which he as instantly
took, and retained in his own, the girl
making no immediate effort to with
draw it.
"This is very kind of you, Miss
Coolidge" he acknowledged, adapting
himself to her present mood. But 1t
seems there is no necessity for me
to present myself. Apparently my
identity is already known
"Otherwise you would not be
among those present" she admitted
frankly.
."Then, I judge you have not &C.
cepted me blindly?"
"lJo, l have not" earnestly, and
now releasing her hand, II do not
think we ever really know any one
except through personal intercourse {;
but do know who you are, and some
thing of what your life thus far has
BEEN"
"But how could you? 1 signed no
name"
She smiled, again quite at her ease.
"The box number at the club was
amply sufficient. have friends there !:
once possessed of your name and
army rank, the department records at
Washington furnished all further in
formation. SO you perceive, Captain,
I am not altogether reckless. Are you
interested in learning what l known
81 am; will you tell me?"
"Willingly," and she checked the
points off on her gloved fingers. "You
are Matthew West, the only son Of
u,
Georgia. Your mother, who was Of
the well-known Bullock family, died
when you were about fifteen. and her
widowed sister has since been the
housekeeper. You are graduate Of
the University of Virginia, being
fourth in your class in scholarship.
Your engineering course was COM
pleted in Massachusetts, and you later
became connected with the Wyant
Contracting company. of Chicago. You
were here, however, only very brief
time, making but few acquaintance,
when the war broke out. You i'm
mediately entered the first officers
raining school at Fort Sheridan, grad
uating with the rank of first lieuten.
ant, and were assigned to regiment
Of engineers, among the earliest to
sail for France. While there you were
wounded twice, and cited once for
special gallantry in the rescue Of a
seriously injured private. Your last
wound caused your return to the
United States on a special mission,
and also won you the rank Of captain.
Since then you have been honorably
| discharged, but have made no effort
TO resume professional work. You
are twenty-six, and unmarried. Is
there anything else you care to
know"
II think not; really your agency has
"a, r.
view satisfied you that l was really the
man you sought?"
mo, it did not wholly satisfy, but 1t
looked promising. You were evidently
courageous. and gentleman. These
qualities were essential; whether In
| other respects yoHmeasured up to my
| purpose, could only be ascertained
| through a personal interview. There
| was no other way"
.And now?" he persisted.
"Still encouraging, | must admit
| although the test Is not yet complete.
| However, we are now approaching the
end of cur journey. Before we turn
+: in l am going to nsk a favor of you
call me Natalie"
Natalie; that will be easy.
"And also forgive me If | fail In
| always addressing you formally as
| Captain West. l presume your friends
| say Matt. do they not?'
"Some have that habit"
"rhen I claim also the privilege"
She bewildered him, left him in won
darment as to what she would do next,
but aere was scarcely time In which
| to answer before the speeding limou-
sine turned abruptly into a private
| driveway, curving gracefully to the
| front of rather imposing stone man
sion, set well back from the road.
Soon they were at the side entrance
| and a servant. in the same unobtrusive
livery as the chauffeur. was quietly