The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-28
THIS HAS HAPPENED
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
. . .
CHAPTER XXXlX

| SlAiAI + II A.AAl.A
She assumed an attitude Of smil.
ing indifference.
I'm afraid you've made another
mistake" She spoke lightly. mir
Benson and l were not even friends
Indeed. ] scarcely knew him."
There was an overtone Of EN-.
phasis in her denial~a slight eager.
ness which, in indicating a con.
scious desire to be believed, robbed
her remark Of the complete casual.
ness she had intended.
Even a business relationship may
have its personal side" Vance re-
minded her; especially when the
intermediary is an intimate friend OF
both parties to the transaction"
She looked at him quickly; Their
turned her eyes away.
II really don't know what you're
talking about" she affirmed; ant
her face for . moment lost its con.
tours Of innocence, and became cal.
culating.
you're surely not implying that
had any business dealings with
Mr.. Benson?"
mot directly" replied Vance
but certainly Mr.. Pfyfc had bust
ness dealings with him; and one Of
them, l rather imagined, involved
you CONSIDERABLY"
"Involved met" She laughed
scornfully, but it was strained
laugh.
1T was a somewhat unfortunate
transaction, l fear" Vance went on
"-unfortunate in that Mr.. Pfyfe
was nccessitated to deal with Mr..
Benson; and doubly unfortunate, y
know, in th:.t he should have had to
drag you into II"
His manner was easy and assured,
and the woman sensed that no dis
play of scorn or contempt, however
well simulated, would make an i'm
preston upon him. Therefore, she
adopted an attitude of tolerantly in
credulous amusement.
And where did you learn about
all this ?" she asked playfully.
"Alas! ! didn't learn about it,
answered Vance, falling in with her
manner. "That's the reason, d. We
see, that | INDUCED in this charm
ing little visit.
II was foolish enough to hope
that you'd take pity on my igno-
rance and tell me all about it"
But l wouldn't think of doing
such = thing. she said, "cvcn ii
this mysterious transaction had
really taken place"
my word!" sighed Vance. THAT
is disappointin'. All, well. !
see that l must tell you what little
| know about it, and trust to your
sympathy to enlighten me further"
Despite the ominous undercur-
rent Of his words, his levity acted
like q sedative to her anxiety. She
felt that he was friendly, however
much he might know about her.
Am | bringing you news when
I tell you that Mr.. Pfyfe forged Mr..
Benson's name to . check for
$lO,OOO?" he asked.
She hesitated gauging the posi-
sible consequences Of her answer.
mo, that isn't news. Andy tells
me everything"
"And did you also know that Mr..
Benson, when informed of it, was
rather put out ?-that, in fact, he
demanded = note and a signed con-
fessicn before he would pay the
check? :"
The woman's eyes flashed angrily.
Eyes, knew that too.-And after
oil Andy had done for him! If ever
4 man deserved shooting, it was
Alvin Benson. He was q dog. And
he pretended to be Andy's best
friend.
"Just think Of it,-refusing to
lend Andy the money without con.
fession! You'd hardly call
that ! business deal, would you ?
I'd call it : dirty, contemplate. un-
der-hand trick"
She WAS enraeed. Her mask Of
breeding and good-fellowship had
fallen from her; and she poured out
vituperation on Benson with nc
thought Of the words she was using.
Her speech Wa devoid Of al the
ordinary reticencies Of intercourse
between strangers.
Vance nodded consolingly during
her TRADE.
.Y' know. ! sympathise fully with
you." The tene IN which he made
the remark seemed to establish !
closer accord.
After ! moment he gave her |
friendly smlle.