The Dolores star., 1923-04-06
CHAPTER xv-continued.

with Avery; there Avery, plainly. had
forced Eaton into the polo game. BY
her fathers instructions? Clearly
there seemed to have been purpose in
what had been done, and purpose
which had not been confided TO her
self either by her father or Avery.
Eaton would betray himself In the
game unless they had also suspected
that he had played polo before? To
suspect that, they must at least have
some theory as to who Eaton was.
But her father had no such theory he
had been expending unavailingly. so
far, every effort TO ascertain Eaton's
connections. So her thoughts led her
only into deeper and greater perplex-
ity, but with them came sudden-and
unaccountable - resentment against
Avery
At seven Harriet went in to dinner
with her father. The blind man was
alone; he had been awaiting her, and
they were served at once All through
the dinner she was nervous and
moody for she knew she was going
to do something she had never done
before: she was going TO conceal
something from her father. She told
Of Eaton's reception at the country
club, and Of his taking part in the
polo practice and playing badly: but
Of her own impression that Eaton
knew the game and her present con-
viction that Donald Avery had seen
even more than that, she said moth
ing. She watched her fathers face,
but she could see there no conscious
ness that she was emitting anything
In her account
An hour later. when after reading
aloud to him for a time. he dismissed
her, she hesitated before going.
You've seen Donald?" she asked.
Yes"
What did he tell your"
THE same as you have told. though
not quite so fully"
She was outside the door and in
the hall before realization came to
her that her fathers reply could mean
only that Donald, like herself. had
concealed his discovery of Eaton's
ability to play polo. Why Donald had
not told. she could not imagine; the
only conclusion she could reach was
that Donald's silence in some way
menaced Eaton; for-suddenly now
1t came to her what this must mean
to Eaton. All that he had been so
careful to hide regarding himself and
his connections must be obtainable
by Avery now, and Avery, for some
purpose of his own, was Withholding
betrayal to make use Of it as he might
see fit.
She moved once more to return to
her father; again she stopped then,
swiftly, she turned and went down
stairs.
She looked hurriedly about for
Avery. She did not find him, nor at
first did she find Eaton either. She
discovered him presently in the music
room with Blatchford. Blatchford at
once excused himself, tired evidently
Of his task of watching over Eaton.
Harriet caught herself together and
controlled herself to her usual man
ner.
What shall 1t be this evening. Mr..
Eaton?" she asked. Music, billlardsY'
Billiards, If you like" he respond
ed.
They went up to the billiard room,
and for an hour played steadily; but
her mind was not upon the game-nor
she saw, was his. Finally, as they
ended a game, he put his cue back in
the rack and faced her.
Miss Santoine." he said, II want
to ask favor"
What is IT."
II want to go out--unaccompanied.
"Why?'
II wish to speak to a friend who
will be waiting for me-"
How do you know?"
"He got word to me at the coun-
try club today. Excuse mel did not
mean to inform on Mr.. Avery; he was
really most vigilant. l believe he only
made one Slip
"He was not the only one observing
ysu."
II suppose not. In fact, I was GER
tain Of 1t. However, received a mes.
sage which was undoubtedly authen-
tic and had not been overseen."
But you were not able to make
reply"
II was able to receive all that was
necessary"
She considered for moment. "What
do you want me to dor
Either because Of my presence or
because Of what has happened-or
perhaps normally-you have at least
four men about the grounds, two of
whom seem to be constantly on duty
70 observe anyone who may approach.
! wish you to order them to let me
pass and 60 to a place perhaps ten
minuteS walk from here. II you do
%. ] will return At the latest within
half ~ hour (he glanced at his.