The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-03-15
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES"
CHAPTER xVl-continued.

III
The trouble was that Whitford was
arguing from false premises. He was
assuming that Clarendon was an limo
cent man, whereas the clubman knew
Just how guilty he was. Back Of the
killing lay a conspiracy which might
come to light during the investigation.
He dared not face the police. His con-
science was not clean enough.
"Of course Dads right. It's the only
way to save your reputation" Bea-
trice cried. I'm not going to leave
you till you promise to go straight
down there to headquarters. II you
don't you'll be smirched for life-and
you'd be doing something absolutely
dishonorable."
He came to time with a heart of
heavy dread. "All right, Bee. I'll go,
he promised. "1t's an awful mess. but
I've got to 60 through with 1t, l sup
pose."
"Of course you haze" she said with
complete conviction. you're not a
gutter. and you cant hide here like o
criminal"
"We1l have to be moving. Bee"
her father reminded her. "You know
We have an appotutment to meet the
district attorney"
Beatrice nodded With a queer feel
ing of repulsion she patted her fiance's
cheek with her soft hand and whis-
pered a word OF comfort to him.
"Buck up. OLD boy. 1t won't be half
rs bad as you think. Nobody is going
to blame you"
They were shown out by the valet.
"You don't want to be hard on Brom-
field, honey" Whitford told his daugh-
ter after they had re-entered their car.
Hes a parlor man. That's the way
he's been brought up. Never did a
hard days work In his life. Everything
made easy for him. II he'd ever rid
den out q blizzard like Clay or stuck
1t ont In a mine for week without
food after cave-ln. he wouldn't balk
on the Job before him. But he's soft.
And he's afraid of his reputation.
That's natural. suppose"
Beatrice knew he was talking to save
her feelings. "You don't need to make
excuses for him. Dad" she answered
gently, with a wry smile. 1--WE got to
give up. don't think can so through
with It."
"You mean-marry bmr
"Yea." She added, with a flare of
passionate scorn of herself: 81 de-
xnyhn Itxyn 4 oil 20
time ] didn't love him. 1t was sheer
selfishness in me to accept him.
wanted what he had to give me-"
Her father drew deep breath of re-
lief. 'Tm glad you see that, Bee. l
don't think he's good enough for you.
But don't know anybody that Is, come
to that"
''That's Just your Partially. TIN a
mean little bounder or never should
have led him on" the girl answered In
frank disgust.
Both of them felt smirched. The be-
hsvior Of Bromfield had been a reflec-
ton on them. They had picked him
for a thoroughbred. and he had failed
them at the first test.
swell. I haven't been proud of you
in that affair."" conceded Colin. at
didn't seem like my girl to-" He
broke of In characteristic fashion to
berate her environment. Its this
crazy town. The spirit of It gets into
a person and he accepts its standards.
Let's get away from here for a while,
sweetheart"
AFTER Clay is out Of trouble, Dad,
I'll 60 with you back to Denver or to
Europe or anywhere you say"
That's a DEAL" he told her prompt
ly. "We1l stay till after the annual
election Of the company and then go
of on a honeymoon together, Bee"