Gunnison news-champion., 1923-02-09
CHAPTER Sy
san,o ne. -Ey.r Fall Him.

Eaton, coming duHE rather late the
next morning. found the breakfast
room empty. He chose his breakfast
from the dishes on the sid-boari. and
while the servant sst them before him
and waited on him. he inquired after
the members Of the household. Miss
sAntOlne. the servant said. had br-ak-
tasted some tim. before and was now
with her father: Nr Avery also had
breakfasted. Mr.. BIatchtord was not
yet down. As Eaton fingered over his
breakfast. Miss Davis passed through
the hall. accompanied by a maid. The
maid admitted her into the study and
closed the door nfterward. tse maid
remained ia the hail busy with some
morning duty. and her presence and
that Of the servant In the breakfast
room made II impossible for Eaton 10
sttempt 10 go to the study or 10 SIX
speaking to Mis-. ,t..v,s . few MIN
utes later. he heard Harrie, ssntoine
descending the stairs; rising. he went
out into the hall 10 meet her.
Il don't ask you 10 commit yourself
for longer than today. Miss Santoine."
he said when they had exchanged
greetings, "but-fnr ;oday-what are
the limits OF my leashr"
MIR Avery is going TO the country
club FOR lunch; believe he intends 10
ask you II you care TO 20 with him"
She turned away and went into the
study, closing the door behind her. Ea-
ton. although be had finished his break
f1"t. want .hnck into the breakfast
ro"m. He dld not know whctheE> he
would refuse or accept Aycry's invita-
tlUu suddenly he decided. After Walt
Ing FOR some fiyc minutes there over
second cup of coffee. he got up and
crossed 10 the study.
II beg pardon, Miss SantUlnc," he
explained his interruption. but you
did not toll me what time Mr. Avery Is
likely to want me to be ready To go to
the country giuh."
About half-past twelve, | think"
And what time shall we be coming
buckT"
Probably about five"
. He thanked her and withdrew. He
did not look back as Miss Davis closed
the door behind him: their eyes had
not met: but he understood that She
had comprehended him fully. Today
he would be away from the Santoine
house, and away from the guards Who
watched him. for mt least four hours,
under no closer espionage than that Of
Avery; this offered opportunity-th
A. h.. hoI-f.r
munlcatlon between him and his
/ friends outside the house.
He went to his room and made
some slight changes In his dress; he
came down then to the library. found
book and settled himself to read.
Toward noon Avery looked in on him
there and rather constralnedly prof.
fered his Invitation. Eaton accepted,
and after Avery had gone to get ready.
Eaton put away his book. Fifteen
minutes later. hearing Avery's motor
purring outside, Eaton went into the
hall; a Servant brought his coat and
hat, and taking them, he went out to
the motor. Avery appeared a moment
later. with Hnrrie, Santolne.
She stood looking after them as
they spun down the curving drive and
onto the pike outside the grounds |:
I then she went back to the study. She
dismissed Miss Davis for the day. and
taking the typewritten sheets and
some other papers her father had
asked to have read to him, she went
up TO him.
Basil Santoine was alone and awake.
what have you. Harrietf" he asked.
She sat down and riancing through
'he papers in her hand. gave him the
subject OF each: then at his direction
She began to read them aloud. As
she finished the third page, he inter-
ruptad her.
HAS A~"-y taken Eaton 10 the
+ country as I orderedY
/ Yes
Il shall want you to 20 out there
In the afternoon would trust your
observation more than Avery's to de-
terinine whether Eaton has been used
/ to such surroundings"
She read another page. then broke
of suddenly.
HAS Donald asked you ssythssi
today. Fatherr
| ''In regard to whafY-
II thorsht last night he seemed -.
turbed about my relieving hin Of pars
I, Of his work"
"pIsturhedl In what wayr
She hesi'nted. unabie 10 define. evrn
to hers.'f he imcs-.sto. Aver. m-h-