The Huttig news., 1908-12-19

and you won't lose anything except illusions"
 She remained quiescent for little, hands twitching in her lap, torn by conflicting emotions-fear of and aver sion for the man. amusement chill horror bred of the knowledge that he was voieing the truth about her, the truth, at least, as he saw it. and-and as Maitland would see it.
 "Illusions?" she echoed, faintly. and raised her eyes to his with a piuful attempt at smile. "Oh. but I must nave lost them, long ago; else I shouldn't be-"
 Here and what you are That's what I'm telling you.
 She shuddered imperceptibly; looked town and up again. swiftly, her expres- sion inscrutable, her voice a-tremble I between laughter and tears: "Well?" "Eh?" The directness of her query dguratively brought him up all stand tng, canvas Tapping and wind out of his sails.
 What are you offering me in ex- change for my silly dream?" she in- | .one
 "A fair exchange, I think-some- thing that I wouldn't offer you if you hadn't been able to dream" He paused doubtful, clumsy
 Co on." she told him. faintly. Since it must come. as well be over with it. See here" He took heart of 1 when you thought he was me Why not take to me for myself? I'm as good man, better as man, than he, If do blow my own horn. You side with me, little woman, and-and all that-and I'll treat you square never went back on a pal yet Why" brightening with enthusiasm as his gaze appraised her. with your looks and your cleverness and my knowl- edge of the business, we can sweep the country, you and L"
 "Oh" she cried, breathlessly.
 Well start right now he plunged on, misreading her; right now, with last nights haul. You'll chuck this added sentimental pangs-of-conscience lay, hand over the jewels, and-and I'll hand 'em back to you the day we're married, all set and-as handsome a wedding present as any woman ever got"
 She twisted in her chair to hide her face from him, fairly cornered at last, brain a-whirl devising hundred maneuvers, each more helpless than the last, to cheat and divert him for the time, until-until-
 The consciousness of his presence near her, of the sheer strength and might of will-power of the man, bore upon her heavily; she was like child in his hands, helpless. She turned with a hushed gasp to find that he had risen and come close to her chair; his face was not foot from hers. his eyes dangerous; in another moment he would have his strong arms about her. She shrank away terrified.
 No. mol" she begged
 Well, and why not? Wef7"- tensely.
 How do I know? This afternoon outwitted you, robbed and sold you for-for what you call a scruple. How can know that you are not paying me back in my own coin2"
 "Oh, but little woman!" he laughed, tenderly coming nearer. It Is be- cause you did that, because you could hold those scruples and make fool of me for their sake. that I want you Don't think I'm capable of playing with you--it takes a woman to do that Don't you know, he bent nearer and his breath was warm upon her cheek don't you know that you're too rare and fine and precious for a man to risk losing? Come now"
 Not yet She started to her feet and away. Wait There's cab,"
 The street without was echoing with he clattering drum of galloping hoofs. At this houri" she cried aghast. Could it be-"
 No fear. Besides-there. it's stopped
 Tn front of this house."
 "No, three doors up the street, at least. That's something you must learn, and I can teach you-tof judge distance by sound in the darkness"
 But 1 tell you" she insisted. re- treating before him, its risk. There  did yeu hear that?'
 That was the dulled crash of the front door.
 An.sty stepped to the table on the in. stant and plunged the room in dsrs- ness
 Steady" he told her evenly Steady It can't be-but take no chances. Go to the trunk closet and get that window open. If it's Mait- land, -grimly-"well, I'll follow"
 What do you mean? What are you going to do?"
 Leave that to me. I've never been caught yet"
 Cold fear gripped her heart as, in a flash of intuition, she diyined his in- tention.
 Quick" he bade her, savagely. Don't you want
 q cant see" she invented. Where's tha d0ar2 I can't sec ,s