The Case and The Girl | Page 7

as much a
surprise to me as to any one present. However," he grasped West's hand
with apparent cordiality, "I hasten to add my congratulations, and to
wish Natalie all the happiness possible."
The group slowly broke up, the members still discussing the undoubted
surprise of this announcement, Miss Coolidge talking animatedly with
Mrs. Lonsdale, and seemingly having forgotten West's presence in the
room. He was utterly unable to even catch her eye, and finally found
himself confronting Colonel LeFranc and Percival Coolidge, the latter
instantly engaging him in conversation, evidently seeking more definite
information.
"This engagement with my niece," he said uneasily, "must have been

rather sudden? Even your name is quite unfamiliar to me."
"It was, indeed," admitted West, who had now completely recovered
his nerve, and even begun to enjoy the situation. "Since my return from
abroad."
"You were with the army in France?"
"In an Engineer Regiment. I have been in America only two weeks."
"Ah, indeed. And this is your home?"
Realizing that the elder Coolidge was diligently searching for
information, West decided the best method would be a full confession.
"Oh, no," he said candidly, "I am from the South--Atlanta, Georgia. My
father is a District Judge, Robert Peel West, quite widely known, and
my mother belonged to the Bullock family. I am a graduate of the
University of Virginia, and also of the Massachusetts Polytechnic.
Before the war I was connected for a short time, with a well-known
firm of Engineers in this city, but, since my return, I have not resumed
professional work. Having been wounded in France, I have felt entitled
to a little rest after my return."
"Quite interesting, I am sure," Coolidge turned to the Colonel. "You are
Southern also, I believe?"
"Very much so," was the quick response. "And I chance to know the
name of Judge West rather well. I congratulate your niece on her choice
of a life companion. There is no better blood in Georgia. I would be
very pleased to hear more of your father, Captain West. I have not met
him for several years."
West, by this time, thoroughly impressed with the spirit of the occasion,
passed the ensuing evening rather pleasantly, although obliged to be
always on his guard against any incautious remark, and keenly
interested in all that was occurring about him. He found the company
rather pleasant and entertaining, although not quite able to gauge the

real feelings of Mr. Percival Coolidge, who he imagined was not
altogether satisfied with the state of affairs just revealed. The
gentleman was outwardly cordial enough, yet his manner continued
distinctively reserved, and somewhat cold. West, however, attributed
this largely to the nature of the man, and finally dismissed the thought
from his mind altogether. The person who continued to puzzle him
most was Natalie Coolidge, nor was he able to approach her in any way
so as to obtain a whispered private word of guidance. The girl
unquestionably avoided him, easily able to accomplish this by devoting
her entire attention to the other guests.
She appeared in excellent humour, and there was laughter, and brilliant
conversation wherever she paused, but not once could he encounter her
glance, or find her for a moment alone. Nor dare he ask questions of
those he conversed with, so as to gain any fresh insight into this
mystery. He ventured upon thin ice once or twice most carefully, but
the information obtained was infinitesimal, although it bore to some
extent on the problem confronting him. The Colonel innocently lifted
the veil slightly, permitting him to learn that this was a week-end party,
and that Miss Coolidge was the mistress of the place, her parents
having been dead for two years. Percival Coolidge, her father's brother,
and a manufacturer in the city, was her guardian, and the affairs of the
estate were not yet entirely liquidated. West drew the impression that
Colonel LeFranc possessed a rather low opinion of the uncle, although
he was careful to choose his words. Beyond this he apparently knew
nothing of the family history, which he felt at liberty to communicate.
As West had a delicacy in asking questions, the subject was pursued no
further.
He was assigned to escort Miss Willis, a tall willowy blonde, and quite
talkative, in to dinner, but her conversation ran largely to the theatrical
offerings in town, and he found it impossible to change her trend of
thought into other channels. The hostess sat nearly opposite, where she
could easily overhear the young lady, whose voice was decidedly
penetrating, so West made no serious attempt to be otherwise than
complacent. Once the smiling Natalie appealed to him, familiarly
calling him "Matt" across the table, and he responded with equal

intimacy, yet her eyes avoided his, and it was plainly evident