The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1907-07-27

hhC thC bNftt vi VII
through the dark and otherwise silent
house. The tiny electric globes at the
head and bottom of the stairs had been
sxtinguished, and the hallway was
inky black.
In the arch Of a curtained doorway,
| as though choosing the darkest corner
IF the gloom. two figures were stand
| ng. The face and hands Of the man
showed gray against the black evening
dress that he wore, but the woman's
white garments outlined her form
more plainly against the background
If the curtain.
Il dare stay no longer" the man
brace. oh. Clarice, dear heart Of
mine, gcod.by-farewell!"
"Oh, Edward, do not go yet"
you must not tempt me, dear; there
is too much at stake. Think what 1t
would mean to you If he should return
and | should be discovered here"
The woman laughed lightly and
snuggled closer to him.
What of it," she demanded. "He
has never seen you. Could you not
have some plausible reason for your
prei-nce? You are physician, you
know: you might have been called in
to minister to me-to my poor heart"
He caught her more tightly in his
arms. and then seized her hands and
gently forced her from him until he
could look into her face.
Dear little woman" he whispered,
IF you should suffer because OF my
presence here ! never could forgive
myself. II this visit worked harm to
you, dear, would give twenty years
of my life rather than have come to
you tonight, although for weeks |
have been hoping and praying for this
chance TO be with you once more be-
fore ! went away"
II must go now" he whispered. In
few hours ] shall be on my way
out of your life. All of my associates
suppose that ! began my journey last
evening: no one will ever know that
| returned for a last sight of you.
There, there. dear love, we both agreed
that there should be no tears at part
ing"
There was sound of stified sobs,
and the swish of drapery. as the WON
an went through the curtained door
way. The mans form showed dark
against the starlit window, as he pass
ed II and began to descend the stairs.
He went down softly, and very slow.
ly, pauning at each step to listen.
He took one step into the hall, and
then waited, listening. There could be
no mistake; some one took step to.
ward him in the darkness. He sprang
toward the sound and in an instant
was graphing with some one in the
DARK.
II WAS silent struggle, back and
forth from one wall to the other. He
would not cry out, land he constantly
endeav pred to keep his grip on the
throat Of his opponent, to prevent an
cutlery from him. He would choke
him ino insensibility, and escape.
In an unlucky moment he tripped
and fell and in an instant his arms
were linioned to his sides. and a
powerful hand clutched his own throat
One of his captor's arms was free, and
mated the hall He looked up at his
opponents features. but only the eyes
were visible: the rest of the face was
hidden beneath mask.
He gave gasp Of relief
only burglar; thank God only 4
burglar"
His captor cried out in surprise:
wy, ye're not"
No, YIN not" he interrupted Take
away your hand from my throat;
shall not cry out
He WAS permitted to breathe with 1
little more freedom, but the muzzle o.
revolver was laid against his cheek
You'd better not pipe up, old man,
said the burglar. II fought yer wal
de old blokie, got home All thu
rest here is abed an asleep. Who arr
you? Speak up lively, now"
What are you going to do will
me?"
I'D ought to knock the handle o
me knife against yer ribs"
Very true, but"
The tightening OF the hand upon hi
throat stopped his speech. He wa
conscious that on the street far ava.
footsteps were echoing. They grew
louder, they came opposite the door
seemed to hesitate for a moment. an,
then passed on and faded away IL
the silence.
my God, sport" said the burglar
"yeh're all over cold sweat
A weak smile twitched the man
lips and he sighed with relief.
The old blokie'll be here soon
though, said the man in the mask
He woa't stay down at that office o
his all night"
You're right. my friend
Mighty chummy, eh?'
What will you take to let me go
You mar name almost any sum"
Yes, / kin name almost any sun
all right but the fingerin' OF IL Nigh
come a little harder, Say, what
yer grait?"