Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-11-25

obtained was Infiniteslmal. although il
bore TO some extent on the problem
confronting him. The colonel Innocent
ly lifted the veil slightly, permitting
him TO learn that this was a 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 ret entirely llquidated Be
yond this he apparently knew moth
ing of the family history, which he
felt at liberty to communicate.
West was assigned to escort Miss
Willis, a tall willowy blonde, ana
quite talkative into dinner, but her
conversation ran largely to the the
atrical offerings in town. and he found
1t impossible TO change her trend Of
thought into other channels. Once the
smiling Natalie appealed to him. fa-
military calling him Matt" across the
table. and he responded with equal in
timacy, yet her eyes avoided his. ami
It was plainly evident to his self-con-
seriousness, that her remark was
merely part of the play. More and
more her actions mystified and 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 AMI
yet this was accomplished In a man
ner so as not to attract the attention
Of others. Even Percival 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 Natalie's princi-
pal object was to deceive this gentle
man; that she really cared nothing for
what the others might think. or say
It was all a masterpiece of acting, so
exceedingly we'll done, as to finally
convince the young man that she was
greatly in earnest as to its success.
She desired Perciyal 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 at
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 propl-
tious. but she calmly outgeneraled
him again, suddenly bidding the mon
remain and smoke as long as they
pleased, and disappearing herself M
the stairway with Miss Wills. West.
convinced that her retirement was
final, soon sought his own room It
was eleven o'clock Of a bright. moon
light night, and feeling in n6-degree
sleepy, he seated himself af the win-
dow to finish his cigar. Again aud
again his mind reviewed the strange
events Of the evening, unable to r.
rive at any definite conclusion The
harder he sought 10 delYe into the mys-
terry, the more obscure It became.
He had, indeed, reached some con
clusions already. These might not be
correct, yet they were already i'm
planted In his mind. The guests Of
the night were mere puppets. having
no real connection with the game he
ing played, utterly ignorant Of what
was going on behind the scenes. The
only one present having any real part
was Percival Coolidge, and West had
taken an instructive dislike to this
man. Only one explanation flashed
into his mind to account for Miss Coo
lidge's unexpected announcement Of
an engagement between them-thls
would excuse any future intimacy;
would enable them to meet alone free
" without arouslng comment. This
appealed to him as the most reasonable
explanation Of the situation But be-
yond this vague guess, It was impossi-
Bile to delye.
Tired by the uselessness of such
thinking West finally sought the bed.
ard must have slept, although scarcely
aware that he had closed his eyes
Some slight noise aroused him. The
door leading into the hall, which he
had failed to lock. stood partially aiar
and his eyes caught the vague glimpse
OLA figure gliding swiftly through the
opening. with one bound he was upon
his feet. springing recklessly forward
The hall was dark, but for a patch Of
moonlight at the further end Against
this he caught an instant fitting
glimpse Of the intruder, Il was a wo-
imam. yet even as his eyes told him
this. she seemed to vanish into thin
air-the haIl was empty.
Vague and lndlsdnct as was that
fleeing vision In the moonlight West
felt no doubt rs to the identity Of his
visitor-the woman was Natalie Coo
Hdge. His one glimpse Of her vanish
ing figure assured him Of this fact. and
he drew back instantly unwilling to
follow. Where she had gone he Meth
er knew, nor cared. She had come 30