Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-13

Surely you cannot have forgotten
so soOn." he explained In surprise at
her attitude, seating himself once more
and facing her deteminedly. Il came
TO you In response TO q strange adver-
tisement; you trusted ne so completely
as to introduce me to Your friends as
your fiance, and later confided to me
the special trouble you were in. l
pledged you smy assistance, and il was
surely very natural that, under these
circumstances, I as a young man,
should have become rather deeply in
terested-"
in both The case and the girl"
yes; so much so, indeed, that even
when l was rather harshly dismissed,
| could not accept II without a protest.
| had grown to feel that this was not
a mere business arrangement between
us. Do you understand now?"
Il can see it from your standpoint.
But nevertheless, l am surprised, Cap
tain West. You-you mean you actual
ly fell in love with me?"
81 felt very. very deep interest In
YOU" he admitted grayely, "a greater
interest than / have ever felt in any
other woman. That is my sole excuse
for becoming involved in your affairs.
/ could not bear to see you make a
mistake it might be in my power to
prevent"
"What mistaken"
"Wen, first of all, trusting In this
man Hobart"
She laughed, her eyes glancing up
quickly into his face.
"And why not, please? Remember
your confession; may think this only
jealousy"
"You are not so silly as that"
earnestly. Moreover, l may as well be
perfectly frank. l did confess an in
terest in you, and in measure, still
feel eager TO serve you in every pos
sible way; but you have changed so
greatly, Miss Natalie, that my conf
dence in you has been severely tried"
"You no longer believer"
II hardly know; fail utterly to I'M
derstand you of late; you seem an en-
tirely different girl. For one thing, you
have deliberately deceived me-"
Indeed in whatT"
"In your visit to Arch street with
Percival Coolidge. That was no mis-
sion of charity to poor widow and
children"
what thenT
IAN arranged conference with this
fellow Hobart. He rented that cottage
for no other purpose, and left It the
next day. You made a mistake when
you took me along"
She Strengthened up slightly in the
chair, yet spoke rather indlfferently,
her voice cold.
mo doubt I did" she said tersely.
Indeed l have already discovered,
Captain West, that l made an even
greater mistake when | first took you
into my service. You have proven al.
together too inqulsitive. Now / will be
plain with you. Whatever need I once
supposed had for your services ended
with the explanation received In that
Arch street cottage. told you so very
distinctly after our return home. You
recall that interview, no doubt?"
He bowed, waiting for her to 60 on.
''You were then and there dismissed
from my service. That should have
been sufficient. knew nothing Of your
silly feeling of personal interest in
me; nor did l realize any occasion for
discussing with you the reasons caus-
ing me to change my plans. You were
my employee, and l discharged you !;
that was all. 1t is true Percival
Coolidge took me to that cottage to
have certain mysterious things ex-
planned, and they we're explained to
my complete satisfaction"
"By Hobart?"
Eyes"
you knew the fellow before?"
She hesitated slightly. although
there was 40 perceptible change in the
answering voice.
For several years: he was in
my fathers employ; the-the whole
trouble originated in Joke, and-and
was quite amusing, once ! understood
OF course, aztec hat. had no further
need for you. Why did you persist in
annoying meT
West hesltated an instant, his mind
struggling with the situation. Was she
honest, truthful. in this statement?
Could he say anything which would
change her viewpoint? She must have
been deceived BY these men, set how
could he expose them SO she would
comprehend? He was so little certain
OF the facts himself that he had moth
ing but suspicion to offer.
"Why do you not answer, Captain
Westf"
The girls eyes were clear, insistent,
a little amused they somehow aroused
his determination.
81 win endeavor TO make You under
stand, Miss Natalie" he explained
slowly. Il would not have you feel that
l deliberately pushed myself into this
affair. When ] left Fairlawn after
your dismissal. I had no thought Of