The Washington herald., 1907-02-03

been left by q messenger boy. Not one
Of her fairweatheT friends knew her pres
ent address Naturally she thought OF
Mr.. Henderson For some time there had
been a growing tenderness in his manner
toward her. When the anonymous gifts
continued to appear daily she took occa-
sion to demonstrate with him
'HothOuse grapes are expensive Iuxu-
ries." she said Don't send any more.
You can't afford TO-.
Henderson deliberated a moment, then
replied.
Miss Vandevere, allow me to correct
wrong conclusion. / have not presumed
70 send you grapes, or anything else"
who did?"
If may hazard a guess-The Bear"
Betty was so angry that she marched
forth with It into the next room. where
her employer was busy az his desk
Mr.. Sterling" she cried, its an i'm
pertinence for you 10 make me presents,
The fact that / work for you IS no
excuse.
He looked disconnected.
I hoped-you wouldn't know-the TRIES
came from me"
Why did you do it," she demanded
hotly.
You're not used TO making your own
way-of course. you miss things. And
then, I knew your father and 1 wanted
TO help you for his sake"
She stared half-ncredulously
You knew papa? When? Where?"
In San Francisco-last winter. We
met IN a business way and got 70 be
friendly. He liked to talk about you. and
once he showed me your picture. So
you seemed Ike an old friend from the
first"
pe44,.'g ave- L,4 49,, 5000 H.. 49,.
look Of annoyance did not leave her face.
I can supply my own wants. Please
do not send anything more, she SAID.
and With her head held high went back
10 her post
Henderson glanced up inquiringIy, his
face revealing half dozen impulses I'm
as many seconds. Suddenly he rose, took
"A sep nearer, and began speaking rapidly
in a husky whisper
Miss Vendevere, Iistent I'm going TO
tell you a secret. 7 have fallen heir 10
a fortune. I take the midnight train
for Canada to claim the legacy. No one
is TO know Of this until after I'm gone
not even Sterling. VIII you come. too
away from this hateful life? You know
/ love you Decide at once, There's TO
time for dallying. Say youu GOMEZ
The startled girl trembled In the hot
breath Of his passion. Every vestige Of
color left her face.
1t is-so-sudden," she faltered. i
must think IL over. Give me time"
IN call at your boarding house ar 10
O'Clock. Be on the watch. And remeu-
Der how much there is at stake. But /
know 1 can trust you
Betty's voice seemed 10 have dropped
down into her throat. There was no re-
Spouse. A silence fell in which she could
hear the mUfficd beating Of her own
heart.
That night Henderson was the first %
leave Sterling was in the room. and he
could only give Betty glance Of mute
appeal as no went out.
She crouched over her desk with blurred
eyes. For a time there was no sound
save the rustic OF the paper. Sterling
pretended 10 read. IT length. throwing
il down, he crossed TO her side
StiH at work, Miss Eaudevere2" be
said, a new note in his big voice
III soon finish now" she answered,
without lifting her eyes. Don't wait,
please. III lock up
Betty heard him sigh as he went out
Hastily locking the door on the inside,
she withdrew the key and returned 10
her seat
An hour dragged by. Now there were
shadows everywhere. The corners were
black with them. She felt a suffocating
terror. as II the walls were contracting
and might shut together and crush her.
Suddenly a key clicked in the lock.
She had barely time to drop behind q
chair before man tiptoed into the Office.
As he passed by her hiding place the
light from the street struck across his
face. For q minute she ceased TO breathe.
He went hurriedly on 70 the inner room;
and, after g little while, gentle clicking
told her that ne was working the comb
nation OF the safe.
Now was her chancei Quaking with
fright. she crept TO the door opening on
the landing. One quick step and she was
outside Then the unexpected happened.
food Of light suddenly illumined the
darkness; she saw that the passage was
fun OF policemen. And she had rushed
straight into Tom Sterling's arms.
You, Oh, I'm so giadr' she gasped
Historically. quick, The safe! You ara
being robbed. Henderson,
But the men in blue had already dashed
past into the Office. There was the sound
OF a struggle, then a voice shrieSiag
dreadful curses-the same voice she had
once thought so cultured and refined
I OveTheard-this afternoon Sterling
said quietly Il had grown suspicious
before. II you really love him he shall
go free
Love him? Oh. no, no, Betty cried.
with her face hidden on the big mans
shoulder. Il didn't know until this after
noon whom I loved. But 90 now
Copyright, 1917. by P. C. Eastmsnt)