The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-23
CHAPTER XII-Continued

"Ah," cried Stanley, as II his point
of view had suddenly broadened.
"Yes-devilish awkward at times !"
swell, WE'LL" continued Stanley ge-
nially, 1--WE must find a way to set you
on your feet again. By the way, what
became of all the old office staff?
didn't recognize single face the 9th.
er day. What happened to Higgins?"
"Oh, he landed on his feet He's
with Lane and Adams"
''GOOd-fine chap, Higgins. And
that-what's her name? oh. yes.
that Morgan girl?"
This was the last name that Water
man had wished to hear. He was
trifie startled, but he did his best to
conceal it
why, what about herr" he asked.
shifting uneasily In his chair.
''0h, nothing-she just flashed into
my mind. Rather a vivid personality,
don't you think?"
"Yes-yeS-"
"l saw her the other day."
"Where? Howl" He could not ex-
elude an accent of alarm, but Stanley
ignored it
"Oh, on the Avenue"
"Did you speak with herr"
"NO-why?
"Oh, just wondered"
"Driving uptown-just caught
flash of her face In the crowd" STAN
ley continued. "And by the way-do
you remember our last afternoon In
the office together? | mean that fate
full afternoon when we tossed coin
to see who should first propose to
Doris"
ooh, yes, yes." said Waterman. He
raised his arms over his head, stif1ed
yawn, and said. "By CAD. I'm get
ting sleepy, sitting here In front of
this fire. ! think I'll turn in."
''Oh, my dear chap" cried Stanley,
mo, not yeti l have something most
Interesting to show you-something
rather extraordinary"
"Well-" said Waterman feebly.
"Yes, it's thing that wouldn't hap
pen once in thousand times, and
oh, that makes me think. had lit
tie talk with Doris before you came
downstairs just before dinner. She
told me something that explained
many things"
His voice was still kindly, still ge-
nial, yet Waterman's apprehension In
creased.
what did she tell you?" he asked.
"Why-er-" Stanley went on, feel
ing the others gaze as he spoke, "she
said that on that very night I've just
night you won her and | lost her
some woman came to her and told
her a scandaIous story about me-"
Waterman thought IT necessary TO
affect amazement "Really?" he said
But Stanley gave him slightly
hooking smile. "Oh, come now, my
dear chap-no use pretending you
don't know 1t, because she told me
that you do"
Waterman fidgeted. swell, OF
course" he said. with outspread hands,
"Oh, know you promised her you
wouldn't tell, and-you were always
the soul of honor. However, as she
has told, you needn't pretend any
longer"
Waterman could not suppress a
wave of discomfort. "Well," he said
finally, Its her business"
YES" agreed Stanley, land mine
just little. suppose you don't hap
pen to know the exact details of this
woman's story?''
This put Waterman In a hole Be
ing in complete ignorance of what
Doris had told Stanley, he hadn't the
faintest idea how to answer. But
after a moments hesitation he decided
it was safer to deny knowledge of the
matter.
"Why no-nO," he said -
Nor who this woman wasY
"No-nO-certainly not"
Stanley smiled again, still amiably.
Naturally" he remarked, I'm a bit
curious to know what villainy I'm &C.
cused Of"
"She-er-she didn't tell me-" STAN
mered the other "Said she'd prom
ised."
"Yes-well, I'm glad to see that
Doris has finally come around to your
opinion, Rolly."
my OpinionW
"Yes-oh, she told me how you had
defended me. Thanks, old man
thanks. | knew ] could always de-
pend upon your loyalty" and he put
his hand affectionately on Water.
mans shoulder. "Well now-help
yourself to the porto get back to
that afternoon in the -office-oh, lust
moment"
He rose, walked to the desk and
pressed button. After moment the
little door behind the desk swung
open and Wilson appeared. Frank. ;
said Stanley. 81 want !Ou to fetch that
machine here, II you please-you know
the one mean"
Wilson looked at him an instant and
swallowed hard before he said, Every
well, SIR" and went out.
Waterman made a heroic effort to
shake off his growing uneasiness.
"What is 1t. radio?" he said.
"No," smiled Stanley. "it's not a
radio. It's-well, suppose we might
call II a sort OF accounting machine.
1t was once used In our old Office
Accounting Notwithstanding
Waterman somehow disliked that
word. didn't know we had any &C.
counting machines" he observed
"Well," returned the other. 1--WE had
this one, and I rather think you'll rec
ognize it."
At this moment Wilson reappeared.
In his hands he carried the audi
phone.