The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-09-04

ing from me any information that
happen TO possess about myself. Plain
Iy and frankly. don't like IL. and I
don't like you-and unless you can
produce q great deal more than Yop
have already, I'll have TO chalk up the
expense TO a piece Of bad Judgment
and go on about my business"
He started TO rise, and Barnham
scrambled to his feet.
please DON'T" he begged, thrusting
forth fat hand, please, please don't
This La very important matter. One
one has 10 be careful In going
about thing as important as this is.
The person 10 In very peculiar posi-
tfon''
But I'm tired Of the way you beat
around the bush. AS told you before,
I don't like it-and I'm just about at
the point where I don't care what In
formation you havef"
But just be patient a Momentum
coming to IT. Suppose" then he
cupped his hands and stared hard at
the ceiling, Suppose that I told you
that there was some one who was Will
ing to see you through all your trou-
bIes, who had arranged everything for
you. and all you had to do would be to
say the word to find yourself In the
midst of comfort and richest"
Fairchild blinked in surprise at this
he laughed uneasily and pulled again
on the dubious cigar.
I'D say" came finally, "that there
isn't any such animal"
But there is. She has" Then he
stopped, as though to cover the slip.
Fairchild leaned forward.
"SheT'
Mr.. Barnham gave the appearance
of very fiustered man.
"My tongue got away from me;
shouldn't have said It, / really
shouldn't have said 1t. II she ever
finds it out, 1t will mean trouble fo1
me. But truly" and he beamed, "you
are such a tough customer to deal with
and so suspicious-no offense meant
of course-that really was forced tc
1t. feel sure she will forgive me.
"Whom do you mean by 'she'T'
Mr.. Barnham smiled In q knowing
manner.
you and / both know" came his
cryptic answer. "She Is your one great
good friend. She thinks a great dea
of you. and you have done severa
things to cause that admiration. Now
Mr.. Fairchild, coming to the point
suppose she should point way ou
Of your troubles? In the first place
you and your partner are In yer!
great difficulties"
"Are WEI" Fairchild said 1t sarcas
tically.
Indeed you are, and there is nj
need Of attempting to conceal the fact
Your friend, whose name must remain
secret, does not love you-don't eve
think that-but-"
Then he hesitated as though [,
watch the effect on Fairchild's face
| There was none; Robert had masket
| it. In time the words went on: "Bu
| she does think enough of you to wan
| to make you happy. She has recent.
| done thing which gives her a grea
| deal of power In one direction. In an
| other, she has connections who pos
sess vast money powers and who ar
looking for an opening here in tn
| West. Now" he made a churcl
| steeple out Of his fingers and leane'
| back in his chair, staring vacuously a
the ceiling, eff YOU will say the wor
and do a thing :, tich will relieve he
of a great deal of embarrassment,
am sure that she can so arrang
things that life will be very easy 70
you henceforth."
I'm becoming Interested"
I'm the first place, she Is engaged
be married to very fine young mar
You, of course, may say differently
and l do not know am only takin
her word for it. Buff understan
1t, your presence in Ohadi has cause
few disagreements between ther
and-well, you know how willful an
headstrong girls will be. I believe sh
has committed a few-er-indiscr,
tons with you"
That's a lie!'' Fairchild's tempe
got away from him and his fist bange
on the table. THAT'S a lie and 70
know itI''
| Pardon INCORPORATION me!
made use of a word that can hav
many meanings, and l am sure that
using it, didn't place the same COZ
struction that you did In hearing 1
But let that pass. I apologize. Whs
| should have said was that, IL 70
will pardon me, she used you, q
young women will do. as foil agains
her iance In a time of petty quarre
ing between them. Ia that palmer 2
1t was too plain to Fairchild.
hurt. But he nodded his head an
the other man went on.