The Case and The Girl | Page 6

watch, rather eager to delve deeper into this adventure. It was a
few moments of seven, and she would undoubtedly be waiting for him
in the hall below. He descended the broad stairs, conscious of a thrill of
expectancy; nor was he doomed to disappointment.
Miss Coolidge met him in the dimly lighted vacancy of the hall, with
smiling eyes of welcome. They were mocking, puzzling eyes, the
depths of which he could not fathom--they perplexed, and invited at the
same instant. She was in evening dress, a creamy satin, revealing white
shoulders, and rounded, beautifully mounded arms, visible beneath
folds of filmy lace. If he had dreamed the girl attractive before in the
plainness of street costume, he now beheld her in a new vision of
loveliness. His heart throbbed at the sight, every nerve tingling to the
intimate tones of her voice. And she met him in a more delightful mood
of informality than had found expression even during their afternoon
ride. She was apparently in the highest spirits, eager to overstep all
conventionality.
"Again you please me," she said, surveying him critically. "Really this
is too much, the wonderful way in which you meet every test."
"You mean in clothes?"
"In everything, so far. Clothes--yes; do they not reveal the very soul of
a man? I hardly think I could ever have forgiven if you had come down
not looking the part you are to play."
"Nor could I have forgiven myself, if I am to enjoy the pleasure of
taking you in to dinner."
"That privilege is yours even without the asking. But," quizzically, and
glancing up frankly into his eyes, "You may not care when the time
comes. For the great test arrives first. So, buck up, Captain, for you are
going to have the shock of your life. Whatever you do, even if you feel
that you are about to faint, don't, for my sake, let your face show it."
"But," he protested, "give me some warning, some opportunity to

prepare for such an emergency."
"No," she laughed gaily, "there is no time; it is ordained to fall upon
you like a thunder-bolt. They are all in there waiting for us now. You
will offer me your arm."
He accompanied her, amused, yet bewildered, through the wide
archway into the more brilliantly lighted drawing-room. It was a
magnificent apartment, containing a half dozen people. The one nearest
the entrance was a man of middle age, exceedingly pompous and
dignified, who immediately arose to his feet, expectantly. Miss
Coolidge cordially extended her hand in greeting.
"So glad to learn you could be out, Judge," she said, the least
perceptible hesitancy in her voice. "Permit me to present Judge Cable,
of the Supreme Court; Captain West, my fiancé."

CHAPTER III
THE COOLIDGE HOME
For an instant West was absolutely helpless to assert himself. The calm
assurance of the girl's voice in this unexpected introduction left his
brain paralysed with bewilderment. Yet his features did not betray his
condition, nor did he entirely lose control over himself. His fingers met
the outstretched hand of the Judge, and he seemed to gaze calmly into
the latter's searching eyes. Fortunately he was not compelled to speak,
as Cable voiced his own surprise fluently.
"Well, well," he exclaimed. "This is certainly startling, Natalie. I am,
indeed, bereft of words, yet I congratulate you, sir. Captain--Captain
West, I think was the name? You are then in the service, sir?"
"Discharged from the Engineers."
"Ah, exactly. I can hardly adjust myself. Friends, come forward. I have
to make an announcement extraordinary. It seems this sly minx has

arranged a surprise for all of us. Perchance this was the purpose of our
little dinner party?"
"Oh, no, Judge," protested Miss Coolidge, her cheeks flushed, yet
otherwise perfectly cool and self-possessed. West ventured to glance
aside into her face, surprised at the quietness of her voice. "Really, this
was unexpected, even to myself. I was not so much as aware that
Captain West was in the city until a very short time ago. I am sure he
will bear me out in this statement."
"I could not do otherwise, and be truthful," West felt compelled to
admit. "The announcement was quite unexpected."
"But what is this all about?" asked a female voice eagerly. "Remember
we have not heard, Judge Cable."
"It is my pleasure then," he said gallantly, bowing, and at once
instituting himself as master of ceremonies, "to introduce to you, Miss
Natalie's fiancé, Captain West--Mrs. Lonsdale, Professor Scott, Miss
Margaret Willis, Colonel LeFranc, Mrs. Wilber Somers. Possibly there
may be no necessity of my presenting the next gentleman--Mr. Percival
Coolidge."
"Oh, but there is," the last mentioned interposed, a tall rather portly
man, with grey hair and moustache, "I must confess this is