The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-04-17

LangfOrd, In low voice. Come
quick-let's go back to your rooms.
Why, girls *..@>
1--WE will go, too," said Mary with
quiet decision. She had caught a.
glimpse of Red Sanderson's face
: through the crowd, and she thought he
had ,leered at her. She had been
haunted by the vague feeling that she
must have known the man who had
attempted to carry her off-that dread
full night; but she had never been able
to concentrate the abstract, fleeting
impressions into comprehensive SUBJ
stance never until she had seen that
scar, and glancing away in terror saw
that Langford, too, had seen: but she
was not brave enough to lose herself
and Louise in the crowd where that
man was. She could not. He had
leered at Louise, too, last night at sup
per. They could not ask the protec-
ton of Gordon and Langford back to
the hotel then, when Landlords
handsome, tanned face was white with
the weight of what he had to- tell.
1T will be best,'' he agreed, unex-
pectedly. "Come-we must hurry!"
1t was Williston's little girl'' whom
he took under his personal protection,
diving up the street in the teeth of the
gale which blew colder every moment,
with force and strength that kept
Mary half the time off her feet. A
gentler knight was Gordon-though
as manly. All was lark around the
premises. There was no one lurking
near. Everybody was dancing at.
tendance on the courthouse holocaust.
Gordon felt for his keys.
How good it is to get out of the
wind" whispered Louise. This pro.
ceeding smacked so much of the mys.
ferrous that whispering followed as a
natural sequence.
They stepped within. 1t was inky
black
Lock the door," said Langford, in
a low voice.
Gordon complied, surprised, but ask.
ing no question. He knew his friend,
and had faith in his judgment. Then
he lighted lamp that stood on his
desk.
"Why did you do that?" asked
Louise, gravely.
"What?"
Lock the door,"
II don't know" he answered, hon.
estly. 81 didn't think you would no.
tice the click Ask Paul.
"I'll explain in minute" said Lang.
ford. He stepped to the windows and
drew the blinds closely.
"Now that have you safe," he said,
lightly, It'll confess l had an old
Woman's scare. It came to me that
as long as you are not, strictly speak.
ing, on kind and loving terms with
every one west of the river-and this
being such an all-round nasty night
anyway, why, I'd just spirit you home
and give the charged atmosphere q
chance of clearing a little.''
49, Gordon looked at him steadily a
: moment. His face did not pale. Yet
he knew that Langford had heard
or suspected-more than he intended
to tell-then. 1t was good to see him
shrug his shoulders in unconcern for
the sake of the two white faced girls
who sat there in his stiff office chairs
You are an old duffer, Paul." he
said, in pretended annoyance "You
treat me like child. I won't stand
it always. You'll see. Some day I'll
rebel-and-then-
meanwhile, I'll just trot' these
ladies back to the hotel" said Lang
ford. But you must promise to keen
your head inside. We're fixtures until
we have that PROMISE
what, lock me up and run off with
all the ladies'! I guess not! WHY
didn't we round up that way, I'd like
> to know? This isn't Utah, Paul. You
can't have BOTH
Paul meant for him to lie low, then
he was also in hurry to get the girls
away Evidently the danger lay here
there was Tightening of the firm
mouth and an ominous contraction OF
the pupils of the eyes. He stirred the
fire, then damned a huge. knotted
STICK into the sheet-iron stove. II
seemed as IT everybody had sheet-iron
stoves In this country. The log caught
with pleasant roar as the draught
sent flames leaping up the chimney.
But Paul made no movement to 90.
Then he, Gordon, had not understand
his friend. Maybe the menace was
not mere, but outside. If so, he must
contrive to keep his guests interested
here: He would leave the lead tn
Paul Paul knew He went back ia
his nvlng-room and returned. BRINGING
two heavy buggy robes.
you will find my bachelor wav If
living very primitive" he said with
his engaging smile. He arranged tina
robes over two of the chairs and
pushed. them close up to the stove.
Il haven't an easy chair in the house
prove it by Paul, here. Haven't
time to rock, and can't afford to run
the risk of cultivating slothful habits.
Take these. do" he urged, 'and re-.
move your coats.''
THANK you-you are very kind {"
said Louise. mo. won't 1+ako ~ -,