The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-10-14
CHAPTER IV-Continued

81 don't like the twist you gave
that lady, Jed Stewart. Don't
shake your head at the Jap, Mark.
Why shouldn't | have cup OF tea
with you? I'm famished. Place 1t
here"
The servant looked at Mark Trent
before he pressed the springs which
released the legs of the tray he was
carrying and set it before the wom-
an. He brought in muffin stand
with sandwiches and cakes.
"You needn't wait she dis
missed the man as if she were the
mistress OF the house. Mark nod
ded confirmation as the Jap's eyes
sought his. Did he know that the
woman SO dictatorially giving or
ders had been his wife?
Side by side the two men watched
her, watched her restless hands.
Once she had been told by stag
that her hands were like pale butter
flies, Mark remembered, and they
had futtered ever since. In the 81
lence the tick of the clock set the
air vibrating; the fire snapped and
blazed cheerily; the tide against the
lodges doomed a dull undertone.
Lola Hunt flung crumpled dolly
to the table.
Now cigarette, Mark, and !
shall be ready to proceed with my
story"
Sorry, haven't any"
She raised broWs which had been
plucked to a thin arch.
"You do want to get rid of me,
don't you. Well, strive to please. :
She rose and crossed to the desk.
With glance over her shoulder, she
opened box of Chinese lacquer.
"You see still know my way
around. Oh, by the way, your aunt's
legatee is living at Lockout House,
hear. Henri wrote me"
Henri"
Eyes. I always got on with Hen
ri, perhaps because he knew that
detested your aunt as much as he
did. He wrote that Miss Reyburn
evidently didn't like his wife and
himself, asked if / would give him
a reference in case they lost the
position"
Was that all Henri Jacques hac
written, Mark wondered. There was
1 hint of mockery in Lola's voice
and eyes. What was behind thai
letter? He watched her thoughtfully
as he perched on the corner of ths
desk, crossed her knees and Lighted
a cigarette. She blew a ring O
smoke toward the two men stand
ing back to the fire.
"Forgot these were in the box
didn't you, Mark? You really SHOULD
do something about your memory
| it's slipping" Her eyes and voice
sharpened. well, here's my news
Bert Hunt--he's my present hus
band, in case you've forgotten%
is planning to go into business il
the residential part of this town
has gone, in fact. | shall help whel
he's rushed or-indisposed. When
heard that you'd opened this house
i thought perhaps you wouldn't car
to have your former wife working
I've been warned that I've bee
taking chances with my heart-tha
perhaps you'd like to buy us of
With $4,000 we could go abroa
and stay for a time. Don't stan
there like bronze Nemesis read
to swoop. Nothing shameful abou
any kind of a job these days,
there?'
Mark Trent laughed. 1t was nc
an especially merry burst of sounc
but it would serve.
s'Do you call extortion job
Nothing doing, Lola. Your heart
| You've used your weak heart as a
excuse to get what you wanted TO
years. Why should | deprive tn
town of Hunts business ability an
so charming an assistant"
She slid to her feet. Her face
which had been blank with amaze
| ment at his laugh. went white wit
1nger.
"You mean that you don't min
my Workinp--here?"