Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-11-04


ness. in which she responded without
purpose, almost dreamily to the sug-
gest'ons Of the stronger will.
YEARLY she stumbled up the two
brief flights Of stairs leading to the
tower-like cupola Of the sky-scraper;
two floors superimposed upon the roof
with scant excuse save that Of giving
the building the distinction Of being
the Hottest in that section Of the city
certainly not to lend any finishing
touch Of architectural beauty to the
edifce.
On the top landing door confront
ed them, its glass panel shining dimly
in the darkness. Anisty paused, un-
tremendously thrustinE the girl to
one side and away from the head Of
the staircase; and here fumbled in a
pocket. presently producing jlngling
bunch Of keys. For moment or two
she heard him working ut the lock
and muttering in an undertone-prob.
ably swearing-and then, with q click.
the door swung open.
The man thrust . hand inside,
touched an electric switch, flooding
the room with light. and motioned the
girl to enter. She obeyed passively.
thoroughly subjugated, and found her
self in a large and well-furnished Of.
nee. apparently the outer Of two
rooms. The glare Of electric light at
first partly blinded her; and she
halted instinctively few steps from
the door, waiting for her eyes to be-
come accustomed to the change.
Behind her the door closed softly;
and there followed thud as bolt
was shot. An instant later Anisty
caught her by the arm and, roughly
now and without wasting speech, hur-
ried her into the next room. Then,
releasing her, he turned up the lights
and, passing to the windows. threw
two or three of them wide; for the
air in the room was stale and lifeless.
"And now" said the criminal in a
tone Of satisfaction. now we can talk
business. my dear"
He removed his overcoat and hat,
throwing them over the back Of con.
venient chair, drew his fingers
thoughtfully across his chin, and.
standing at little distance. regarded
the girl with shadow of a saturnine
smile softening the hard line Of his
lips.
She stood where be had left her, as
II volition was no longer hers. Her
arms hung slack at her sides and she
vas swxyinY a tribe. her face vacant.
eyes blank; very near the breaking.
down point.
The man was not without percep-
ton: and recognized her state-one
in which, he felt assured, he could get
very little out Of her. She must be
strengthened and revived before she
would or could respond to the direct
catechism he had in store for her. In
his own interest. therefore, more than
through any yielding to motives OF
pity and compassion, he piloted her to
. chair by q window and brought her
. glass Of clear cold water from the
filter in the adjoining room.
The cold, fresh breeze blowing in
her face proved wonderfully invigorat-
ing. She let her head sink back upon
the cushions Of the easy, comfortable
leather chair and drank In the clean
air in great deep draughts, with q
sense Of renewing vigor. both bodily
and spiritual. The water helped. too;
she dabbled the tip Of ridiculously
small handkerchief in It and bathed
her throbbing temples. The while,
Anisty stood over her. waiting with
discrimination II with scant patience.
What was to come she neither knew
nor greatly cared; but, with an In
stinctive desire to postpone the newt
able moment Of trial, she simulated
deadly languor for some moments aft
or becoming conscious Of her position;
and lay passive, long lashes all but
touching her cheeks-in which now
faint color was growing-gaze wander
ing at random out over q dreary will
derness Of fiat rectangular roofs, livid
in the moonlight, broken by long.
straight clefts of darkness in whose
depths lights cleaned family. Far in
the south the sky came down purple
and black to the horizon, where sill.
YER spark glittered like low-hung
star-the torch Of Liberty.
II think" Anisty's clear-cut tones,
incisive as . razor edge, crossed the
listless trend Of her thoughts, Il think
we will now get down to business, my
LADY,"
She lifted her lashes, meeting his
masterful stare with look Of calm In
Quiry. "Well?"
$50 you're better now? Possibly 1t
was mistake to give you that rest,
my lady. Still, when ones a gentle
man-cracksman-!" He chuckled I'M
pleasantly, not troubling to finish his
sentence.
'Well?" he Knocked. seating himself
easily upon an adjacent table. Were
here at last, where we'll suffer no In
terruptions to our little council Of war.
Beyond the Waterman, there's prob
ably not another soul in the building;
and from that window there 1t is
straight drop Of "a stories to Broad
way, while I'm between you and the
door. SO you may be resigned to stay
here until get ready to let you 60
II you scream for help. no one will
hear you"
Very WE'LL" she assented mechanic.
ally, turning her head away with
~t,Sv>. n< d;orr,,cA ts0yh NJ II it You