Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-27

I Some one had leaped into the throng and
was striking among them; instant she
! was lost in a whri. and then the grasp
upon her wrist was released
| Run! RUM
Vainly she strove to obey; her feet were
as lead. when a compelling arm thrust her
| forward. and again she found herself capa-
Die or motion Bewildered, she could not
| realize what had happened: what It all
meant. Some people had attacked her:
some one had made 1t possible for her to
| escape. Or was 1t possible?
Les petroleuses!-'
NOW she began to understanding pc
! troleum womenr'--they thought she was
one of them. The bottle for medicine that
she had been carrying had condemned her
der 1eet began to lag. when from behind
| d hanu touched her shoulder; she strove to
shake 1t off: the fingers frightened and the
world went round.
"Elinor!''
| Some one caught her: raised her. Through
tne nait-apathy OF her thoughts familiar
voice insinuated Itself
"Einorl''
Her eyes opened: bewilderment. Tow
crowded her brain 'o'
"Richard,''
Sne lett his arm thrown about her: her
seiI dragged on. The darkness seemed to
| press upon her and she found herself mag
| ming 1t was all but waking dream
Suddenly he stopped
Inc hotel-if l could but find tt
Unfortunately. the buildings were of a
| " s'yie, and In vain he glanced on either
sue STRIVING TO single out that refuge thar
nc NheW 10 De so near. Even as he
searched, closer came the pattering feet.
moment they regarded each other:
swiftly glance met glance Like a 1ash
OF nght, her eyes. bright burning, respond
OF his.
Leave me-" she said. why should Won
Hastily he thrust her behind him Life
nad grown strangely sweet: the irony of
Iortune-that he had found her too late
awoke fierce revolt in his breast With
lowering brow he stood awaiting their
assailants when a cry escaped Elinor and
ne turned. In pressing back she had
pushed against door which had swung
open Dehind her. Quickly entering he
drew her after him; the door closed: his
mana sought. found. a bolt which he shot
on the woodwork from without, but the
door. like many another, had been
strengthened ng during the siege.
His answer was drowned by crash
that made the door tremble: again. and 1t
gave way. Her hand touched his arm and
| he caught her to him.
"E!inori-love.-"
AZ That moment a strange sound arose
from the street, at first a weird monotone
then screech which sent the people flee
ing from the entrance. An instant's ST.
lence and the iron messenger from the
heights or Montmartre performed It's
wonted functions. No respecter of per-
sons, 1t struck down alike communard or
stranger, man or woman, and thereafter
for some time no living being was seen
stirring near that spot.
When consciousness at length slowly
returned to Richard Strong he continued
to lie without motion, staring straight
upward. A band Of steel seemed pressing
| around his head; his thoughts were con-
fused. Into the throbbng OF his brain
crept a vague recollection-a river, now
silver, then red. ,Red!-white!-thec olors
danced before him. Then the warm hue
fingered. and with 1t came the rest of the
picture.
"Elinor!" he said, and sat up.
Only the echoes answered. Again he
spoke; strove to listen. then began to
grope around until he touched something
sofia dress! Bending, he placed an I'M
steady hand on her breast. At first he
was cognizant only of the throbbing in
his brain, a steady pulsation like that OF the
peston of boat; then beneath his fingers
he felt faint motion Drawing her to
him. he pillowed her head upon his breast
Some time passed. Occasionally the si-
lence without was broken by the rushing
of feet. the flourish OF trumpets THESE
sounds-an aching sense of touch from
the pressure of her. body. which was both
pain and pleasure growing perception
of sight mingled in the Stupor of his
brain. Certain rays of light that had en-
tered their prison grew brighter and difnly
he began to discern the surrounding OBJ
jects: A wall pierced by a window be-
ing upward to a door.
Rising, he placed his coat beneath her
head and clinging to the wall. made his
way to the steps. Mounting with an Ell
fort, he opened door, entered. A candle
with matches which he found on the table,
he managed to light, and by its suffering
rays made out small apartment; bottle
on table, loaf Of bread. Over couch
was the cord that opened the front door
and near the narrow bed a mans pair OF
boots
Richard Strong stared at the boots and
at the bottle. then regarded an array or
candles on a shelf: half candles, quarter
candles, three-quarter candles. The place
was familiar; he had stood in that room
before-last night The door that had
opened to admit then1-when he had left
the hotel he had forgotten to lock it.
Again he descended the steps and lifting
the unconscious girl in his arms. carried
her to the couch, when dizziness oyercame
him and he fell into chair. Less distinct
became her face. he told himself he would
not yield, and grasping the table. forced
himself to rise. AS he did SO a door to
the left opening into a garden or inner
court was abruptly thrown back and fig
ure stood in the entrance.
Monsieur. l found the man. but his
daughter-
The words ceased on his lips and wonder
insyly he gazed on the other.
81 have found her myself. said Richard
Strong
6To be continued tomorrow
--V-