The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-11-24

" %A1Ip|
The Girl and | Passed Out of Holly
wood Inn.
he had spoiled the glamour of the ad.
venture by tingeing 1t with blood. And
on the way to the car wondered what
had been the rogue's past, what had
turned him into this hardy, perileus
path. He had spoken of q woman;
perhaps that was it. They are al
ways behind good actions and bad.
Heigh-ho!
Once we were seated in the lonely
car, the girl broke down and cried as
if her heart would break. 1t was only
the general reaction. but the sight of
her tears unnerved me.
Don't cry, girl; don'tl" l whispered,
taking her hand in mine. She made
no effort to repulse me. Il am sorry
The rascal was a gallant beggar, and
for one shouldn't have been sorry to
see him get away. There, therel
You're the bravest, tenderest girl in
al this world; and when l told him I
loved you, God knows l meant it! 1t
is one of those inexplicable things.
You say | have known you only eight
hours? l have known you always,
only l had not met you. What are
eight hours? What is convention,
Formally? We two have lived a life.
time in these eight hours. Cant you
see that we have?"
ITO shoot a human being!" she
sobbed. Her head fell against my
shoulder. l do not believe she was
conscious of the fact. And l did not
care hang for the conductor.
l patted her hand encouragingly. 'Tt
| had to be done. He was in a des
perate predieament, and he would
have shot Haggerty had the detective
been careless in his turn; and he
wouldn't have amied to MAIN, either.
What a horrible night! 1t viii
haunt me as long as live!"
I said nothing; and we did no
shire lights flashed by us. BY thii
time her sobs had ceased.
L know I haven't done anything
especially gallant tonight; no fight
ing, no rescuing, and all that The!
just moved me around like a piece o
stage scenery"
A smile flashed and was gone. 1
was hopeful sign.
But the results are the same. Yol
have admitted to me that you ar,
neither engaged nor married. Won
you take me on-on approval?"
"Mr. Comstalk, it all seems so Tx
q horrid dream. You are a brav
man, and, what is better, a sensibl
one, for you submitted to the newt
able with the best possible grace. Blu
you talk of love as readily as a her
In popular novel"
II never go back" said I. EFT seem
incredible, doesn't it, that 1 shout
declare myself in this fashion? Lister
for my part, believe that all this wa
written,-my Tom-foolery in MOI
gums, my imposture and yours, tn
, two identical cards,-the adventuT
from beginning to end"
Silence.
6uppOSo SuOuIU bGys Tic 6lF1 u
gan looking out of the window, "ths
in the restaurant you aroused N
curiosity, that in the cellars my a,
miration was stirred, that the fran
manner in which you expressed you
regard for me to-to the burglar
awakened"
: WHAT" I cried eagerly.
Nothing. 1t was merely a suppos
ton"
: Hang it love you!"
Are you still the Capuchin, or sir
ply Mr.. Constable"
Il have laid aside all masks, eve
that which hides the heart"
She turned and looked me steadi
in the eyes.
''Well?" said l.
IF l took you on-on approx:
what in the world should l do wi
: you in case you should not suit n
), needs ?"
You could return me-" said laug
ing.
But she didn't.
CTHE END)