The Washington times., 1908-12-31


pace, and he would gaze and gaze and
gaze with fever of longing in his eyes;
but more often the blinds were down,
shutting on any chance 10 see within.
and he could only shake his head and
pass on
At last came a night in May, though.
when not only were the shades up,
but two people were visible-tRe woman
and u man whom Ben Davis recognized
with a G'.ick indrawing Of ,he breath
and a darkening frown-
Neither did he pass on this time. but,
drawing back into the shadow Of an
apartment house across the street,
stood and watched.
There could be no question of tho
purpose Of the man within the room.
Pantomime though the scene was 10 the
! lurking spectator. he never doubted that
10 was an avOWaI OF love. q proposal Of
marriage. The mans eager face, his
pleading gestures. his Outstretched
hands, all told that as plainly as words
And equally did II seem manifest that
the wOmans attitude was one Of hesi-
tation and wavering indecision-
Then. while no watched breathless.
he suddenly became aware that the
portieres at the back Of the room
were parted and that a third figure was
TO be seen-the stealing. creeping fg-
ure Of woman. her face repulsive in
its malignity, her eyes cleaning green
with hate. the weapon Of death
clenched in her hand.
Toward the unconscious Helene she
advanced. and as he recognized her
purpose the paralysis OF horror which
had held the watching man trausiiXed
broke.
In a flash Ben Davis" became the
Jim Harrison Of old. quick witted. re-
sourcefuI. determined TO save the
woman be loved
Why ne thought Of il he did not
know-whet Flossy's wrath-dis-
torted face reminded him Of the old
chief priest at Nartra. or whether IL
was a pure inspiration-bUt swift as
lightning his hand reached around and
jerked out the sling he always car
ried as a mascot and which had stood
him IN such good stead before.
II would be Of no avail TO call. he
knew. and anyway his voice was stuck
in his throat; yet Helene must BE
warned of her danger. and perhaps the
interruption would check the other
woman's purpose
Therefore. he blazed away at the
window pane. and almost s-muItan-
eousIy with the crash started for the
entrance
Into IL he sped. mp the stairs in half
"a dozen bounds. and through the fat
door left open behind him by Starr
Spencer In his flight
lie had no need, then. to he told that
l. FHF. HaI
been delivered, or that lie had deceived
himself when he believed the girl had
repudiated him ON hearing Of ais seem
ing disgrace.
All explanations and clearing up of
deIuslons might come later As Tor him.
her one CRY. "Jimg" was all the assur-
auce he needed. Ea knew at last that
her love had never wayered.
And now he was calculating his
chances with the freazlcd yiraso OK
deriug him 10 stand aside he knew
5aat she would shoot, and wariIy
watched Es~ Duger OF the trigger.
Would she Kill him, or merely woUud?
he held himself tense, ready TO spring
at her when she fired. in the effort 10
disconcert her aim. but he could draw
orly faint nope of success from tie
m,negyeI.
And then, just as ler finger tigut-
eued, a IlttIo man sprang in at the
open door. darted under Jim's arm.
and, seizing the IeveIed revolver barrel,
broke" it. sending every cartridge IN
the cylinder spinning TO the floor
II is a trick III which policemen and
detectives are rehearsed. as a possible
means o. saving their lives ia a desper-
tJe plight
FIossy recoIed for a second. scarce
Iy comprehendIng what had been done.
then. realizing her attempt was thwart-
cd. she gave a wild cry, evaded the
little officer. and daTJed out OF the door
4 second later, Aunt Margaret. in
deshabile and with tapping curls. was
shrieking in the hail. demanding Il
know what was the matter. and assert
ing q mob was descending on them
The little officer thrust her out Of
the way, and went out himself to meet
a gaping crowd Of tenants. and the po-
licemBn on the beat
" It's all right. O'RaRerty," he told
the latter. Merely a case of servant
girl on a tear. and she's gone now.
You know me-, as he threw back his
lapel
O'RaTerty nodded and withdrew, and
the little man. closing the door. re-
turned to the living room.
Wei, ! guess I've got TO thank YOU
for my life, sir, said Jim.
Not at ALL the little man erinned.
I couldn't afford to lose you that wav
after hanging on nine months TO get
chance at you myself. 1 knew I had
only TO watch this place to get Won
some day. I'm from the Secret Ser
vice, you must understand, and want
you. Jim Harrison. for the Santa Te-
resa swindle."
Helene gave a little shrek OF dis
may. and wide-eyed. clutched Jirn-s
arm; but he seemed not the least dis
concerted.
It's all right. dear he assured her.
then he turned 10 the little officer
III go with you readily enough ., !
he said; but I have one request to !
make Please do not let nv name or 1
the fact Of my arrest get TO the papers /
before tomorrow afternoon. If Won
don't feel justified in doing this on /.
your own hook" he added. "caH IN" 1
and he mentioned a name which he I
tho Garra+