The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-08
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY 1897

other happenings he still had frequent OPP
portunities to think of this, and to outline
plans by which he should contrive to be
| thrown into her company, and to make her
| understand how much he had thought OF
her. All these were to come about at some
| indefinite time in the future.
But now, when totally unprepared for
such an event, he had met her under cir
| cumstances revealing to her much that he
| wanted her to know, he was left alone with
| in this house 80 full Of impressive occnrren-
ces She was under his protection, and had
| to rely upon him.
He was afraid to even look toward her, as
the Superintendent's carriage rolled away,
but stood at the window gazing out into the
street, and yainly trying to think what ne
should say or do to commence with.
She relieved him of this portion of the
problem by asking:
"How soon are we going to start? l am
very anxious to get home to relieve Mrs.
Moreland's mind"
This superseded the sentimental in his
mind by that which was practical for the
moment. He answered, unconsciously imi-
tating the calm official manner of the Super
intendent.
81 am awaiting the arrival Of the officers
whom the Superintendent is to send TO
watch the house. As soon as one of them
comes / shall leave you under his care, while
go and call a carriage"
"How far will you have to 60 to get a
carriage?" she asked.
81 can't tell. / don't know where the
nearest hackstand is. I,Il find out from the
officer. may find an unengaged one On the
way"
There was pause and Kent gained cour-
age to steal look at her. She was sitting
with her elbow on her knee and her head in
her hand, looking with intent thoughtfulness
at figure in the carpet He had never
seen in all his life o woman nearly 20 hand
some nor such an attractive pose.
She must have felt bis glance, for she gave
little start, looked up and said with faint
smile:
81 am trying to think it all out, but am
too tired tonight. Are you regular police
man?p
"No; am a special"
II wondered why you didn't wear uni
form like the other gentleman who spoke to
me; but fear Pm too tired to understand,
even if you explained to me. Do You see
anything Of the other men coming?"
"Yes; think they are now coming around
the corner"
He went to the front door TO open it, but
found it resisted all ordinary efforts.
Part of his trap" he muttered, and be-
gan q closer scrutiny Of the door, by aid Of
The hall lights turned up to the highest. He
found that in addition to the usual fasten-
ings there were additional bolts concealed
in the holdings, and operating sutomati-
cally when the door was closed with cer-
tain amount Of force As he withdrew these,
one after another, there was swish OF skirts,
and he saw Miss STANDARD standing in the
hall regarding him with interested eyes.
"I wanted to know about that door, too,"
she explained "That villain said some-
thing about its being fixed so that couldn't
get out, and wondered whether he told the
truth. was so angry at him that | flung
the footstool through the window. I'd have
sent chair next, but he caught me-"
"We got in through the hole you made"
said Kent, getting more at ease and more
communicative "That reminds me that l
cut my hands on the glass; They must have
bled considerably, bat forgot all about it
in my eagerness to get ct that rascal and
save you.o
He stopped short, overcome with shame
and confusion at his brazen selfpraise, and
the effrontery of his confession Of interest in
her. Before she could reply one Of the offi-
"Tll go look for carriage" said Kent
hastily, after returning the officers greet
ings. I'll not be long,"
"Why can't walk along with you ?" she
asked. "pd much rather than stay in this
dreadful house. And, then, we'd save time,
by starting directly from where We found
the carriage instead Of you having to come
back for me-"
Kent gladly assented. She took his arm
when they reached the sidewalk, and it
sent thrill through his being. It was the
first time that any woman bat his mother
had ever done So Her merest touch had
strange stimulus and exaltation. It made
him feel eager for and capable Of anything
that would serve her. He waited for her to
speak.
81 never felt so utterly lost In all my
life," she said at length, as when I was
locked in that awful house. ALI the horri-
BILE things had ever read of happening to
women swarmed into my mind in minute.
How in the world did you find out whore
I was 2"
Kent detailed to her the circumstances Of
Mick Horgan's arrest and the compulsion Of
the truth from him; and she related how
Ragabert had beguiled her to the house.
The two began to feel very well ac-
auainted, and their conversation became less
and less reserved.
"I declare, feel as If had known you
for years." she said frankly, as they stopped
for a moment under corner gaslight, and
looked around for the cab-stand.
"And you," he responded. "You are a
noble girl, and you are showing great cour-
age and spirit under very trying circum-
stances 1 am going to devote myself to
,oo;, ynu riUhfadO
She looked at him, without replying, but
her eyes had growing tenderness
"It is too provoking that we cannot find
hack" said Kent, after moments pause.
Pm afraid you are ready to sink with
fatigue"
Pm not so tired as was when we start
ed out" she admitted frankly. "If it were
not for relieving Mrs. MOreland's mind l
could 90 on walking a long way yet. But 1
want to hurry home to her,"
They walked Oh a few minutes in silence,
when Kent said:
"Ah, here comes a hack now, which don't
seem to have any one in it."
The driver of the shabby "night-liner"
was halfasleep on the box, and his sorry,
iaded horses walked slowly, wearily along.
| 81 don't know when that team would get
us to Pocasset street." she said doubtfully.
"But it seems the best we can do"
Kent hailed the driver, who awoke, and
with it the greedy instinct OF his tribe to
make "big strike" out of the couple. He
| uo,+.d S1O for taking them to POcasSet