The Irish standard., 1908-11-14

him as from some abnormally vicious,
loathly reptile.
He understood this; and regarded
her with a confident leer, inscrutably
strong and malevolent.
"And there is one other reason why
you will think twice before making a
row." he clinched his case. IF you
did that, and I weakly permitted the
police to nab and walk US off. the busi-
ness would get in the papers-your
name and all; and-what'd Maitland
think Of you then, my lady? What'd
he think when he read that Dan
Anisty had been pinched on Broad
way in company with the little woman
he'd been making eyes at-whom he
was going, in his fine manlike way,
to reach down hand to and yank
up out of the gutter and redeem and
and all that slush? Eh?"
And again his low evil laugh made
her shudder. "Now, you won't risk
that. You'll come with me and be-
have, guess, all right"
She was dumb, stupefed with mis-.
cry.
He turned upon her sharply.
"Well?"
Her lips moved in soundless assent
lips as pallid and bloodless as the
wan young face beneath the small
inconspicuous hat.
The man grunted impatiertly; yet
was satisfied, knowing that he had
her now completely under control; q
condition not hard to bring about in a
woman who, like this, was worn out
with physical fatigue and overwrought
with nervous strain. The conditions
had been favorable, the result was
pre.eminently comfortable. She would
give him no more trouble.
The hanson swerved suddenly
across the car-tracks and pulled up at
the curb. Anisty rose with an ex-
clamation Of relief and climbed down
to the sidewalk, turning and extending
q hand to assist the girl.
"Come!" he said, imperatively.
''We've no time to waste"
For an instant only she harbored a
fugitive thought of resistance; then
his eyes met hers and held them, and
her mind seemed to go blank under his
steadfast and domineering regard.
"Come!" he repeated sharply. Trem.
bling, she placed a hand in his and
somehow found herself by his side.
Regardless Of appearances the man
retained her hand, merely shifting it
beneath his arm, where . firm pres.
sure Of the elbow held it as in a wise.
"You needn't wait" he said curtly
to the cabby; and swung about, the
girl by his side.
mo nonsense now" he warned her
tensely. again thrusting hand in his
breast pocket significantly.
II understand" she breathed family,
between closed teeth.
She had barely time to remark the
towering white facade Of upper Broad
ways tallest sky.scraper ere she was
half led. half dragged into the entrance
Of the building.
The marble slabs Of the vestibule
echoed strangely to their footsteps
those slabs that shake from dawn to
dark with the tread of countless feet.
They moved rapidly toward the ele-
vator-shaft, passing on their way de-
serted cigar and news.stands shroud-
ed in dirty brown clothes. BY the dark
and silent well, where the six eleva-
tors (of which one only was alight
and ready for use) stood motionless
as If slumbering in utter WEAKNESS
after the gigantic exertions of the day,
they came to halt; and chair was
scraped noisily on the floor as night
watchman rose, rubbing his eyes and
yawning. to face them.
Anfsty opened the interview
brusquely. "1s Mr.. Bannerman in
now?" he demanded.
The watchman opened his eyes
wider, losing some of his sleepy ex-
preston; and observed the speaker
and his companion-the small, shrink
ing, frightened-looking little woman
who bore so heavily on her escorts
arm, as IL ready to drop with ex.
haustion.
It appeared that he knew Maitland
by sight, or else thought that he did.
"Oh, ye're Mister Maitland, amt
you?" he said. "Nope; If Misther Ban
nerman's in his offisA I dunno nothin'
about It"
"He was to meet me here at two,"
Anisty affirmed. Its a very import
ant case. I'm sure he must be along,
Immediately, IL he's not upstairs.
You're SURE"
Nah, amt sure. He may We
been there all night. f'r all I know.
But I'll take you up T you want" with
doubtful glance at the girl.
"This lady is one Of Mr.. Banner.
mans clients, and in great trouble"
The self-styled Maitland laid his hand
in a protecting gesture over the
fingers on his arm; and pressed them
cruelty. II think we will go up, thank
you. II Bannerman's not in, can
phone him. I've a pass-key."
The Waterman appeared satisfied;
daitland's social standing was guar.
anty enough.