Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

brought her an exquisite red rose every
day. and his restraint satisfied her natural
fine reserve. Since the night az the lawn
party be had not 80 much as touched her
hand. He told her that one kiss on her
hand had changed his whole life. Almost
uncunsctous'v she compared him 10 Peter
smith. Smith certainly didn't need her.
She rejected the unbidden thought that she
needed him. and as her feeling OF con
straint with him increased. her delight in
meeting De KAYE became greater.
At last she promised De Kaye that she
would marry him-some day. and agreed 10
tell no one. He supplied plenty Of good
reasons, Smiths presence there, the doc
tors prejudice. he made the scientist
seem 2 prosecutor.
People stiu continued 10 pair Peter Smith
OF with her in q tacit recognition Of their
supposed mutual liking. EdithR forgot that
it was as hard Tor the man. who hadn't the
romans privilege OF openly avoiding whom
she chose, as il was for her. she forgot
that be behaved most delicately At the doc
tors. that he never claimed a word from
her except conventionally.
He seemed TO cultivate he Hayes friend
ship. De Kaye told BdithB he was trying
TO put Smith OF the track. He did not tell
her that Smith had known him in New
York.
De Kaye began 10 plead for an early mar
riaFe. Since her people would doubtless
raise a great fuss. why mention even their
engagement till il was all over Why not
be married quietly and forestan any at
tempt TO separate them They would 60 TO
Paris and stay tia the storm had blown
over. Society would forget il in six weeks.
Her family would forgive them, especially
when they saw how be loved her. AS for
him he had nobody but her to care for.
He sighed pathetically, and EdithR prom
Used.
II was Saturday. They would slip Of
Wednesday evening like two naughty chill
dren running away from school, for Or.
and Mrs. Kenworthy would be at q musicale
at Arkwright's, a few blocks away. It
would be like a story, happy ever after.
Wednesday night was calm and starry,
with a high white moon. Between and
10 EdithR, in her travelling dress, stole out
TO the side gate. She carried nothing.
De Kaye told her TO bring only her precious
self. 1n~voluntBrily she glanced up at Peter
Smiths window. II was dark. With a
sudden vague sinking Of the heart, she
wondered why she was not rapturuusly
happy.
Reginald met her with a tender greeting.
He led her a few blocks to a side street
and put her into a carriage. Editha could
hardly wait TO be on she wanted to have
it over with. De Kaye jumped in after
her, and they ratified swiftly away over
the pavement.
Suddenly De Kaye turned and olasped
her IN his arms. He kissed her again and
again. His restraint was quite gone. His
breath was heavy with wine, and she shrank
from him half frightened.
What is it, d~Rrling9' be asked. Wen
get away Bafely-if that Smith doesn't
manage to appear, as he has at everything
so far" He laughed, with his arm still
around her.
EdithR seemed TO be awakening from q
dream. She was leaving her home for q
man whose very touch made her shiver.
She had not known it would be like thiA
Her one impulse was to escape.
'Oh, Reginald. take me back! Forgive
me, but / don't want to be married like
this! i"
NJ dearest, you're just q little nervous.
Tomorrow you'll be glac I didn't mind you, -
he laughed, kissing her again.
She struggled TO free herself, her fear
turned to anger. Reginald De Kaye, let
me go this Instant No, ! don't love you!
/ was mistaken. II you really loved me
gNA "A AehS ht DaCh BtlQTt Ib loo lHIet
Mr.. Smith would take me back-stop-.
A queer, deadening grayness seemed 10
be floating around her. She wondered IL
she was f%ainting. She never had tainted.
A light few past the carriage window
There was a clash Of metal on the nave
ment. The wheels ground and crushed over
something. The carriage stopped with a
jerk that threw her from her seat. The
door was opened from the outside. Peter
Smith lifted Editha in his arms and set her
upon the eurbing.
De Kaye jumped out and rushed toward
him, threatening and cursing. With a swift
movement Smith laid hold Of his collar
and dragged him out of Editha's sight
behind the carriage. She caught the older
mans words, abduction" and your past. 9"
Then after a while, "You shall not speak
to her again. No, not even to say goodby.'
De Kaye ended by ordering the driver TO
catch the Il 10 train; the carriage dashed
of down the street.
Smiths bicycle lay wrecked on the pave
ment where the carriage wheels had crushed
it.. He left il where il was and helped
Editha 10 her feet, She was trembling so
she could hardly stand and leaned on hin
heavily. The street was a quiet one and
the rescue so quick that they had attracted
Ab aALtuAluus AlltI q Snort Walk LnGt
managed 10 get another carriage. Ediths
did not speak. but her eyeE questioned him
I kept you in sight from the moment
you started. ] didn't dare stop you tin
was sure you had time 10 realize what yol
were doing. You might not have come
back with me"
EdithG shudGcred. But nv note!' SD,
faltered. He pulled a piece Of paper from
his pocket and handed ii 10 her. she tor,
it up quickly
4 slipped into your room and got 20 be.
fore ] started after you. ] thought yoI
had left ole. Nobody but you and ! vii
ever know anything about IT.. and wei
forget il as soon as YOU are safe h0ml
again" she hid her face in her hands
but he continued TO talk soothinFly. "TOl
mustn't reproRch yourself. Ny presenc,
here helped drive you to IT,. I'D have gon,
the moment ] saw ] couldn't teach you u
care tor me, only ] had known De Kaye II
New YORK, and ! thought saw What nj
game was. He'll not trouble you again, ant
III 60 away tomorrow.
Editha scarcely breathed. He WAS Eoin0
away
His quiet voice went on: Wei get on
here and walk the rest Of the WAY 30 tina
il the others are home we cgu say xe'y