Beverly banner., 1925-06-05


you"
"But nearly FIVE months have gone"
Il know"
"And why now do you come to me?"
"You needn't tell me anything you
do not wish to tell. l assume that
you arranged to meet him in st.
Louis
Brena put her hand up and felt her
throat. 1t was hot-the skin was hot
under the cold hand.
"It was great mistake" she said
in low voice-''a great mistake"
1.-THE idea was marriage?"
"It was my idea--if had any clear
idea"
You were very young"
"Yes, | think so-looking back"
"You know what was in Jim Henne-
pins mind?"
She did not answer.
"The dirty dog!" said Parmalee.
what a smiling face he had"
Brena shuddered.
well, here is the telegram" said
the visitor. II opened it myself.
There is no one else who knows 1t
was ever sent"
He wet his thin lips; he said:
ut is a secret-ours," and stretched
out his hand with the yellow envelope
held daintily in his fingers.
The girl, however, was looking
searchingly into his eyes; she was
young but not too young to be sus-
picious of a secret shared by two,
when one treats that secret as If 1t
were kind of asset.
Apparently he read her thoughts,
for he said hurriedly, "You needn't
feel under any obligation to me for
keeping the secret. have my stains
and blights, but they are not of that
kind. AS said, all came for was
information"
She took the telegram, which he
had held toward her, and nodded.
"Of course, If he were to meet you
he probably told you more. He prob
ably told you where he was going,
eh-and why?"
He leaned forward as he asked this
question and turned one side of his
face as If the answer could best be
heard by his right ear alone.
NO" she said. HE spoke of max
ing great sum of money, of getting
it from some place."
"He did not say where?"
mo"
Parmalee sighed as If he had gone
up blind alley and had found its end.
HE spoke of some call--some mes
sage" said Brena.
The brokers' eyes widened until
they were in staring distention.
"Hal So he did What did he tell
your"
Nothing"
Parmalee sat down in chair and
stared at the carpet for long time.
1T is very peculiar" he said at last.
"He left you to meet him in st. Louis.
He went on an errand of some strange
kind and refused to tell you what it
was. Aselll Well And then you
waited in st. Louis-in vain"
How did you know he didn't
come?'
Your telegram"
Brena said: Il waited there three
days. / waited l was frightened.
But grew more in those three days
than have ever grown in three
years."
"Yes," said Parmalee with flicker
of tenderness again. II can under
stand.''
You have heard no word from him
sinceY
mo word And l thought that it
might be my duty to tell"
mo, no. mo-" exclaimed the man,
jumping up. IF there is any duty in
the world it is not to tell Few would
ever Understandable | understand. 1t
would do no good. If can do nothing,
what purpose would it serve you to
try? For Gods sake think of your
self"
And l promised him." she said.
What difference does it make that 1
see clearly now what man he is
my promise to keep silent"
Quiet" commanded Parmalee.
mot so loud, No purpose is served
by stirring up a search"
"A search? You mean that you do
not know where he is, Mr.. Parmalee?"
The broker lowered his voice: Eyes"
said he. mot only have you and Mrs.
Wilkie heard nothing and his father
heard nothing, but have heard moth
ing. Apparently after he had decided
TO take you away from Dallas this
thing described as cali came.'
Yes
There Is still a balance OF a CON
r'.s~ r. his era 'it n the or