The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-11-30

most carefully, dit tno lnIOfmhtiOn
obtained was infinitesimal, although II
bore TO some extent on the problem
confronting him. The colonel Innocent
ly lifted the ven slightly, permitting
him to learn that this was 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 a
manufacturer In the city. was her
guardian, and the AFFAIRS Of the estate
were not yet entirely llquidated. Be
yond this he apparently knew moth
Ing OF the family history, which he
felt at liberty 10 communicate.
West was assigned to escort Miss
Willis, n tall willowy blonde. and
quite talkative. into dinner, but her
conversation ran largely to the the
atrical offerings In town, and he found
II impossible TO change her trend OF
thought into other channels. Once the
smiling Natalie appealed TO him. IA
mlliarly calling him Matt" across the
table, and he responded with equal In
timacy, yet her eyes avoided his, and
It was plainly evident to his self-con-
sclousness. that her remark was
merely part of the play. More and
more her actions mystified ana 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 n man.
ner so MS not to attract the attention
OF others. Even Perclval 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 Natalle's princi-
pal object was to deceive this gentle
man; that she really cared nothing for
what the others might think, or say.
II was all masterpiece Of acting, SO
exceedingly well done, as 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-
PLANTATION denied him. West yielded to
the inevitable. and, for the evening ut
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 rs they
,leased. and disappearing herself up
The stairway with Miss willis. West,
that her retirement was
hnal. soon sought his own room. II
was eleven o'clock Of a bright, moon
light night. and. feeling In no degree
sleepy, he seated himself AZ the win
dow to finish his cigar. Again and |
again his mind reviewed the strange |
events Of the evening. unable to ar |
rivo at any definite conclusion. The
harder he sought to delve into tlle mys
'ery. the more obscure II became
He had. indeed. reached some con-
.iusions already. These mixhf not be
correct, yet they were already I'M
planted In his mind The guests Of
he night were mere puppets. having
10 real connection with the game be-
ng played. utterly ignorant Of what
vas going on behind the scenes. The
My one present having any real part
vas Percival Coolidge and West had
AIKEN an instinctive disiike 20 THE
nan. Only oue explanation flashed
nte his mind TO account for diss Coo
dge's unexpected announcement Of
n engagement between them--this
'ould excuse any future intimacy;
'ouid enable them 10 meet alone free-
! without aroudng comment, This
ppealed to him a. the most reasonable
rplanation Of the htuatiOn. But be-
ond this vague gueaa. Il was impossi
IL to delve.
Tired by tho r5alestness Of such
linking West finally sought the bed.
nd must have slept. although scarcely
ware that he had closed his eyes.
ONE slight noise aroused him. The
Dor leading into the hall. which he
nd failed to lock. STOOD partially ajaS,
nd his eyes caught the vague glimpse
a figure gliding swiftly through the
penlng. With one bound he was upon
Is feet, springtng reckiessly forward.
ne hall was dark, but for q patch Of
Moonlight at the further end. Against
lis he caught an instant hitting
limpse Of the INTRUDER. II was a NO
ian. yet even 40 hiS syas tsld hiEn
ais. she seemed " vanish int thin
1.-THE hall vas smpty.
Vague and iadiaeinca m was thGt
eetinG vision In The mseAHght, west
~ no doubt - - the identity Of hia
lsitor--tho vonaA was Natalie OOo-
dse. His ons niinspas II her vaniss-
ig figure assured him Of this fact. ana
e drew back Instantly. unwilling 10
pillow. Where sAs had gone he naith-
: knew, nor cared. She had come 10
10 room secretly. surprising him