Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-29

as one J a M p.
,,.-, shirley Clai-
-4' 49, '-... ~ |.V""" borne was there
I'm the valley.
and ne smiled with the thought Of her
for soon-perhaps in a few hours-he
would be free TO go 10 her his work
done, and no mystery or dangerous
task would hcnceforth lie between
them. lie walked quite TO the brink
OF tho chasm and laid his hand upon
the iron cable from which swung the
bridge
Il shall soon be free" he said. with
deep sigh, and looked across the star
lighted hills.
Then the cable under his hand Vi
brated slightly. At FIRST he thought It
the night wind stealing through the
vale and swaying tho bridge above the
sheer depth. But still he felt the
tiugle OF the iron rope I'm his clasp. aud
his hold frightened and he bent forward
10 listen. The whole bridge now audi
bly, shook with the pulsatlon Of a step
"A soft, furtive step. as OF one cautious
~ cropping a way over the unsu bstan-
tlal flooring. Then through the star
light he distinguished a woman's ng-
ure and drew back. a loose plank in the
bridge floor ratified, and as she passed
Il freed itself. and ne heard Il strike
the rocks family far below, but the
! figure stole swiftly on. and no bent
| forward. with cry OF warning on his
! lips. and snatched away the light bar
rlcadc that had been nailed across the
opening
When he looked up his words OF re-
buke, that had waited only FOR the
woman's security. died on his lips.
shirley he cried and put forth
both hands and lifted her 20 firm
ground.
A little sigh OF relief broke from her.
The bridge still swayed from her
weight. and the cables hummed Ike
the wires OF harp. Near at hand
the waterfall tumbled down through
the mystical starlight
81 did not know that dreams really
came true" he said. with an awe in
his voice that the passing fear had LEFT
behind.
She began abruptly. not needing his
words.
You must 20 away at once. 1 came
to tell you that YOU cannot stay here"
"But il Is unfair TO accept any warn
ing from you! You are too generous.
too kind" he began.
1T Is not generosity or kindness, but
this danger that follows you. IL is an
evil thing, and il must not find you
here. 1t is impossible that such
thing can be In America. But you
must go. You must seek the laws
aid"
How do you know ] darei'
Il don't know that you darelr'
Il know that you have a great heart
and that love YOU" he said.
She turned quickly toward the bridge
as though TO retrace her steps.
Il can't be paid for a slight n very
slight, service 10y fair words. Mr.. Armi-
tage. II you knew why l came
If dare think or believe or hope
You VIII dare nothing OF the kind.
Mr.. Armitager' she replied but
win tell you that l came out Of OF
binary Christian humanity. The idea
Of friends. OF even slight acquaint-
ances. being assassinated in these Vir-
ginia hills does not please me-"
"How do you classify me, please
With friends OF acQuaintancesE
He laughed; then the gravity Of what
che was doing changed his tone
Il am John Armitage. That is NIL
you know, and yet you hazard your
life to warn me that 1 am in dangerl"
IF you called yourself John Smith
/ should do exactly the same thing. 1t
makes not tue slightest difference TO
me who or what you are"
you are explicit" he laughed. 81
don't hesitate to tell you that value
your life much higher than you do"
THAT is quite unnecessary. II may
amuse you TO know that, as / am a
person Of little curiosity. am not the
least concerned In the solution of-of-
what might be called the Armitage
riddle"
"Oh. I'm a riddle. am II"
Not to me. assure youl You are
only the object of some one's enmity,
and there's something about murder
that is-that isn't exactly NIGEL It's
positively unaesthetc."
She had begun seriously, but laughed
at the absurdity OF her last words.
You are amazingly impersonal- You
would save a mans life without caring
10 the least what manner Of man he
may be-"
You put IL rather iatly. but that's
about the truth OF the matter. Do you
know. am almost afraid