ook right, and I can't
exactly put my finger on it."

"What do you mean, Lingle?" quickly.

"I mean that people are actin' curious--them sports inside--" he jerked
his thumb at the Boosters' Club behind him, "and the authorities."

"How do you mean--curious?"

"Don't show any interest--throw a wet blanket over everything as if they
wanted to discourage me--I'm not sure that they're not tryin' to block
me."

"But why would they?" Teeters looked incredulous.

Lingle shrugged a shoulder.

"I don't know yet, but I've got my own opinion."

"But you won't lay down," Teeters pleaded, "even if they pull against
you?"

"Not to notice!" the deputy replied grimly.

CHAPTER XIII

MRS. TOOMEY'S FRIENDSHIP IS TESTED

Momentarily flustered, flattered, and not a little curious, Mrs. Toomey
opened the door one afternoon and admitted Mrs. Abram Pantin, who
announced vivaciously that she had run in informally for a few minutes
and brought her shadow embroidery.

Since Mrs. Pantin never ran in informally anywhere, and she was wearing
the sunburst and rings which Mrs. Toomey had noted were in evidence when
she wished particularly to have her position appreciated, the hostess,
while expressing her pleasure, sought for the real purpose of the visit.

Ostensibly admiring Mrs. Pantin's new coiffure, she thought, bridling,
"Perhaps she's come to find out how we're managing since Mr. Pantin
refused us."

Yet Mrs. Toomey had to acknowledge that this did not seem like her
visitor, either, for ordinarily she was too self-centered to be very
curious about others.

As the afternoon passed and Mrs. Pantin twittered brightly on impersonal
subjects, introducing topics which evidenced clearly that her mentality
was of a higher order than that of the women about her, whose
conversation consisted chiefly of gossip and trivial happenings, Mrs.
Toomey came to think that she was mistaken and that this friendly visit
was a rare compliment.

While Mrs. Pantin's bejewelled and rather clawlike fingers flew in and
out of the embroidery hoop as she plied her needle, and while Mrs.
Toomey adroitly selected the stockings which needed the least darning
from her basket of mending, the latter came nearer really liking
Priscilla Pantin than she had since she had known her.

Mrs. Pantin exhibited a completed spray for Mrs. Toomey's approval and
commented upon the swiftness with which time sped in congenial company.
A delightful afternoon wa