White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-08-12
CHAPTER VI-Continued

Mia was silent for q moment. 1t
was not easy to readjust herself.
"What sort of a comeback"
Her father hesitated moment.
II don't think you'd understand"
"Can l help your"
mo, Mia 1t isn't work for women"
You mean there's danger in it?"s
He was afraid to say too much. He
dreaded to be entrapped by her seem
tngly innocent questions. He knew
she was mentally much quicker than
be. The Fessendons again.
TITS not my secret" he returned,
land l ought not to say any more. l
can only assure you that Malet and
Bradney are splendid fellows, both far
superior to me. Very high types. They
believe that what we intend to do Is
the only right and logical thing. You
must let 1t go at that"
"And because there's danger in 1t
you think I'd better keep out of it?"
Exactly" he exclaimed, gratified at
this attitude of obedience.
'"Then it is dangerous" she cried.
Barnes saw he had made damaging
admission. She had trapped him.
Daddy, what makes you think I'm
afraid Of anything that's dangerous?'
ooh, Nita,' he said reproachfully
that's scarcely playing the game to
drag information from me which Is
not mine to give. You are deliberate
ly trying to make me betray my
friends"
He had risen to his feet. She could
see he was not pleased with her.
Indeed, I'm not" she said earnest
ly. daddy, came over here because
something told me you needed looking
after. 1t isn't that I'm trying to make
you betray your friends. / want to
be sure that they are being honest
with you"
II have never met squarer men," he
answered
"Then I'm on their side, too. My
father and his friends, right or wrong"
Barnes did not know what to say.
But daughter of his could not be as
ISOLATED with anything irregular. He
shook his head.
II cannot accept your assistance"
he told her.
Every well. l shall tell Mr.. Milman
am leaving after luncheon tomorrow
I came over here equipped, specially
equipped for a certain sort of posi-
ton, and I'm going to get It,"
skilled secretarial workers and
stenographers are drugs in the mar
ket," he assured her.
II am not going to be a stenogra-
pher," she retorted. II did that to
earn money to come here. l shall take
the other position, so you won't have
to live on a strangers charity"
"That Is hard thing to say" he
answered, flushing; "and it's not alto
gether true. Mr.. Mlman sought me
out because he thought was able to
help him. l am not living on charity"
"What Is 1t you are trying to do?"
she asked.
"You must not expect me to tell
you. My dear, don't be hasty and
leave us yet. Promise me that?
She kissed him good night.
II won't go yet" she said II can't
lose you as quickly as that"
When she was alone her face took
on worried aspect. She had suf-
fered many things in order to be with
him, and she determined to find out
what the mystery was that enveloped
this strange household. Although she
was not yet twenty-five, she had trav-
eled widely and met innumerable peo-
pie. In Milman and his associates
she recognized men of charm and cul-
ture who had made her father their
firm admirer. And they were all hold
Ing back from her any mention of
their real venture In order to de-
ceive her they had clumsiiy invented
and acted falsehood. 1t could only
be because they were plotting some
thing of an illegal nature.
They had played on her fathers
emotions and earned his gratitude and
cooperation by a few hundred dol
lars For SO small thing 1t had been
possible to enlist his sympathy and
aid They had been clever enough to
create the Illusion that she was well
come when in truth they might be en-
barrassed by her presence and already
planning to get rid of her. She decid-
ed she would not be driven out. Her
father needed his daughter even If he
did not yet know 1t. iThe thought that
three dangerous men might be plot
ting some crime for which Neeand
Barnes would ultimately bear the
blame drove her to action.
Her room was at the rear of the
house. Four iron bars protected It's
windows. Almost five feet below she
could see the iron grating which
rooted in the japanese garden. When
she leaned down from her open win
dow she could hear, family, the sound
of voices.
It was about her they were speak
ing. Barnes had come from her room
with the disquieting information that
their talk on oil had amused her very
much. The news had been blow.
"Miss Barnes gives me the impress
sion of being very shrewd young
lady" Malet said, land one not easily
deceived. You all know that, when
once we start, 1t will be almost i'm
possible to keep one who is already
little suspicious in ignorance"
eyes," said Bradney, II am afraid
she cannot stay here"
"Her godmother lives In Philadel-
.1,,a ,, ,oid pornos "Shp can't refuse