Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-17

/ "Oh," she walled, "I cannot bear 1t! had
not realized it! Save me! For Gods sake,
save met
All his life Philip Spottswood had been
noted for the speed with which he came
to decisions and the rapidity with which
he acted upon them, and this, his most ex-
citing experience, furnished no exception
to the rule. Before the last words had fall
len from the girls lips he was slipping
out of his overcoat.
why didn't you tell me sooner?" he ex-
claimed, in as matter of fact a manner as
though they had parted only the day De
fore. You cut II fire, Mildred. Why
with fleeting glance out of the window
why, we're in the city nowr'
They were, but fear, like love, has wings
and before the train reached the station the
Spottswood's stylish overcoat, and his big
fur cap drawn down over her ears, she
made very table boy
Spottswcod looked at her critically. You'll
do" he said. Here's the passport.
THANK you. But aren't you going TO-
She glanced at her discarded hat and coat
'Neverlee." The joy of seeing her and
of the game itself was mounting to Spots
woods head like strong wine. ''Neverlee
That would he ruin sure enough. I've got
scheme worth two of that. Where's your
popgun?"
Here The girl drew it out, wonder
ingly.
ward. Now" he said, hit me with the
barrel of your revolver, Here" He laid
his finger On his forehead just at the bot
tom of the hair. Hit hard" he concluded
The girl shrank back. II can't" she
breathed.
You must. You've got to have time to
show your passport and escape from the
railway station and this Is the only thing
that would explain my delay and lend
artistic verisimilitude to bald and I'M
convincing narrative, as our friend in The
Mikado' once said. Don't be afraid; my
skull Is thick, and won't be seriously hurt
QuickL We are getting into the station.
Think that 1 am General Some bodyoffski
and strike! Quick ee--"-
The girls eyes grew big with tears. II
did not think there lived such a man as
YOU" she breathed. Now / understand
why your great country is free. Such men
as you must be free. Oh God! Is there
no other way?''
None. The train is stopping. Quickr'
Desparingly the girl glanced around. Then
she lifted the heavy revolver and struck
as Spottswood had directed. Without a
seat
For moment Mildred stood gazing at
her handiwork. Then great sob shook
her frame, and she bent down and pressed
her lips to the swelling wound
Forgive forgive!' she cried eff 1t had
been my life alone-Oh, love, forgive, Tor
give!"
The next moment she was gone
Consciousness staggered back slowly to
Spottswood. All about him was the roar
of great passenger station, the murmur
of voices, the tramp of feet. the banging of
carriage doors, the thump of baggage.
Duly he put. his hand to his head and
felt a tremendous swelling just above his
forehead Then he looked around at the
unfamiliar foreign faces that ringed him
about. Somebody was questioning him in
soft, splitting Russian.
He did not understand, and shook his
head petulantly, only to cease quickly on
account of the pain which the movement
caused him. Memory had returned with
jerk, and he wondered whether his
strange, new-made friend had escaped. He
must give her much time as he could
to pass the gate. He closed his eyes and
lay silent.
Five minutes sped by. Then he was picked
up, bundled into cab and driven away.
He gathered that he was under arrest, but
was not disturbed. His story was unas-