The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-11-02

gs0H A tnoS0 ABOUT tne cable. Even
Coolidge. somewhat distant at first.
yielded finally 10 the prevailing humor.
and Joined freely in the conversation.
This turned at last to the plans for
the day, revealing variety OF de.
sires. which Natalie arranged to graft
~. Coolidge. rather to the surprise
OF the lady, suggested that Natalie ac-
company him into the city on q special
errand Of mercy. At nrst, amid the
eeaseless clatter Of tongues, West was
unable to grasp the natufe 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.
Il was not aware you ever con-
cerned yourself in such matters" she
said soberiy. ut must be attended to
todayf',
The case Is very urgent, am told"
But how can leave my guests.
especially Captain westr
West leaned forward.
DO not hesitate on my account.
can easily amuse myself; or. II there
Is room. and It is not disagreeable to
Mr. Coolidge. might enjoy being Of
the party"
why, Of course" she coincided
eagerly. "Why couldn't he come
along? There will be plenty of room
II operate the chr. It is a case of
destitution Of which Uncle Percival
has just iearned--a widow and three
children actually, suffering. Surely It
can fdo no harm for Captain West to
accompany us3"
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 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 q hasty examination Of the va
lise which Coolidge had thoughtlessly
left overnight. The conception had
already taken strong hold on his mind
thht his visitor Of the evening before
had been the mysterious impersonator
Of Natalie Coolidge: and that she had
come there with some deliberate Dur.
pose-no doubt q secret conference
with Percival.
For what purposei 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 q love
affair with so young and attractive
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
volved In conspiracy Of some nature,
undoubtedly connected with the ap-
preaching settlement Of the Coolidge
estate. This girl, so strangely resem-
bling Natalie, had In some way been
discovered by the scheming guardian,
who was now using her for his own
selfish ends. She had been selected.
and trained to act part-the part Of
Natalie Coolidge. Her ability to de-
ceive had been tested in various ways.
Now the moment approached when
they were ready to play out the real
game. Yet the nature Of that game
was in no way apparent. He could
only keep quiet, and wait for some
further development, even appear in
different, while he secretly watched
every suspicious movement Of Percival
Coolidge.
1t was not at all probable the satchel
contained any eliminating evidence,
yet the temptation was strong to OBJ
tain. II possible. hasty glance at the
contents. But for this he was already
too late, scarcely reaching the room
AhoCCus Uc1OK0 ScXtOu dppedTcu, 6I-
nouncing his mission.
Coolidge tells me he usually occu-
pied this ROOM" West ventured curl
ously, "How did It happen I was put
In heref"
1T was upon order from Miss Ma
talie. sir. but she did not mention the
change in time to remove the bag"
"How long have yer been here. Sex
ton%
Sixteen years, sir"
you knew Miss Natalie's father
then, and must enjoy the place to re-
main 80 longf"
1T has been very pleasant, sir,
until the last month or So" regretfuny,
yet evidently glad Of the opportunity
to talk, lingering with one hand on
the knob Of the door. "Since then
things haven't been just the same"
"In what wayi"