Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-29
X.-Continued.

See here" He took heart Of despera-
ton. you took to Maitland when you
thought he was me. Why not take to me
FOR myself? I'm as good man, better
as man. than he. If do blow my own
horn. - You SIDE win me. little
woman. and-and all that-and I'll treat
you square. l never went back on a pal
yet. Why" Frightening with enthusiasm
as his gaze appraised hor. with your
looks and your cleverness and my know
ledge of the business we can sweep the
country, you and l."
'Oh!' she cried. breathlessly.
Wen start right now" he plunged on.
misleading her; right now. with last
nights haul. You'll chuck this added
sentimental pangs-of-conscience lay, hand
over the jewels. and-and I'll hand EN-
set and as handsome a wedding
present as any woman ever got 80
She twisted In her chair to hide her
face from him. fairly cornered at last,
brain a-wi1irl devising q hundred ma
to cheat and divert him for the time,
until . = until - -
The consciousness Of his presence near
her. Of the sheer strength and might of
will power of the man, bore upon her
hands. helpless - She turned with a
hushed gasp to And that he had risen and
come close to her chair: his face was not
a foot from hers. his eyes dangerous: In
another moment he would have his strong
arms about her. She slirank away. ter
rified.
mo. nor she begged.
well. and why not? Well?"---tensely.
How do know?' - This afternoon
/ outwitted you. robbed andteold you for
I know that you are not paying me back
in my own coin?"
"Oh. but little woman.' he laughed.
tenderly. coming nearer. 1T Is because
those scruples and make a fool Of me for
their sake that l want you. Don't think
I'm capable of playing with you-it takes
woman to do that. Don't you know
he bent nearer and his breath was warm
upon her cheek-"don't you know that
you're too rare and fine and precious for
a man to risk losing?' Come now"
mot yet" She started to her feet and
away. "Wait. =" There's a cab!'
The street without was echOing with
AT this hour!" she cried, aghast. Gould
it be-
NO fear. Besides-there. It's stopped -
'In front Of this house!"
mo. three doors up the street. at least.
That's something you must learn. and l
can teach you-to Judge distance by sound
"But 1 tell YOU" she insisted. retreat
Ing before him -; ITS T.. a risk . : There
THAT" was the dulled crash of the
front door.
Anisty stepped to the table on the in
slant and plunged the room in darkness.
Steady" he told her. evenly. STEADY.
It can't Debut take no chances. Go to
the trunk closet and get that window
open. II it's Maitland" -srimly-"well.
I'll follow
What do you mean' What are you
Leave that to me. I've never
been caught yet"
Cold fear gripped her heart as, in a
fash of intuition, she OWNED his inten-
ton.
quick" he babe her. savagely. Don't
you want
II can't see." she invented where's
the door? I can't see. y"
Here
Through the darkness his fingers found
hers. Come" he said.
Her hand closed over his wrist, and In
q thought she had flung herself before
him and caught the other. In the move
ment her hand brushed against something:
that he was holding, and it was cold and
smooth and hard.
"Ah! no. mol" she implored. mot that,
not that!'
with an oath he attempted to throw
her off, but. frail strength magnified by q
fury OF fear, she Joined issue with him,
clingtng to his wrists with the tenacity Of
a wildcat, though she was lifted from
her feet and dashed this way ana that,
brutality. mercilessly. though her heart
of 1t. though