Dr. West was
the brain of the county, as Aladdin is its life-blood. It only
remains to be seen how far the loss of that brain affects the
county. The Stock Exchange market in San Francisco will indicate
that today in the shares of the San Antonio and Soquel Railroad and
the West Mills and Manufacturing Co. It is a matter that may
affect even our friends here. Whatever West's social standing was
in this house, lately he was in confidential business relations
with Mrs. Saltonstall." He raised his eyes for the first time to
Garnier as he added, slowly, "It is to be hoped that if our hostess
has no social reasons to deplore the loss of Dr. West, she at least
will have no other."
With a lover's instinct, conscious only of some annoyance to
Maruja, in all this, Carroll anxiously looked for her appearance
among the others. He was doomed to disappointment, however. His
half-timid inquiries only resulted in the information that Maruja
was closeted with her mother. The penetralia of the casa was only
accessible to the family; yet, as he wandered uneasily about, he
could not help passing once or twice before the quaint low archway,
with its grated door, that opened from the central hall. His
surprise may be imagined when he suddenly heard his name uttered in
a low voice; and, looking up, he beheld the soft eyes of Maruja at
the grating.
She held the door partly open with one little hand, and made a sign
for him to enter with the other.
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