Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01

with monstrous and terrible shadowp
closing about her. 80 i,
Yeti was absurd. She must not yield
TO such puerile superstitions: ios
There was nothing there. 80
There was something there . some.
thing that like an incarnation of hatred
was stalking her. 80
If only she dared scream! If only she
dared turn ard fly back to the comfort
of light and human company, 80 IA
There arose a trampling OF feet in the
hallway. and she heard Maitland's voice
like q far echo as he bade the police good
night. And distant and unreachable AZ
he seemed. the sound Of his words brought
her strength and some reinsurance and
she grew slightly more composed. Yet
the instant that he had turned away to
talk to the cabman her fright Of that
unspeakable and incorporeal menace
hooded her consciousness like great
wave. sweeping her-metaphorically-
her feet. And. indeed for the time. sire
felt as II drowning. overwhelmed In vast
waters. sinking. sinking into the black
Then. as drowning person-we're told
clutches at straws. she grasped again
at the vibrations OF his voice. - What
was he saying? -
come out or send somebody whom you
will take wherever directed. ."
speaking to the cabman. thinking cl.
her. providing for her escape! Consider
ate dnQ IOfeS1BnteO as Always HOW she
could have thanked him! The warmth OF
gratitude that enveloped her almost UNI
nerved her: she was put to IL 10 restrain
her impulse to rush down the stairs
and -
But no. she must not risk the chance a
rebuff. How could she foretell what was
in his mind and heart how probe the
depths OF his feeling toward her? Per-
haps he would receive her protestations
In skeptic spirit Heaven knew he had.
. .
pulsed! 49,
But no. He had provided this means
for flight: she would advantage herseH
Of It and and thank him by letter.
OF her: she could never undeceive hina--
pride restraining and upholding her. 8
Better SO: she would 90. 20 quickly, be-
fore he discovered her absence from thea
And incontinently she swung about and
flew down the stairs silently. treading as
lightly on the heavily padded steps as
though she had been thistledown whirled
the creeping terror she had sensed on the
upper flight. careless Of all save her i'm
mediate need to reach that cab before
Maitland should discover that she had
escaped.
The door was Just closing behind the
cabby as she reached the bottom step,
and she paused, considering that 1t were
best to wait moment. at least. lest he
which his employer found work for him:
paused and on some mysterious impulse
half turned. glancing back up the stairs.
Not thought too soon: another int
stant's hesitation and she had been
caught. Some one-a man-wes descend
Ing. and rapidly. Maitland? Even in her
brief glance she saw the white shield cf
a shirt bosom CLEAN dull against the
shaG shade Maitland tls, was In evening dress
No time now for conjecture. time now
only for action. She sprang for the door.
had it open in q trice. and before the
box the girl was on the step fair, troa-
bled face upturned to him In wild EN-
treaty. 90
Hurry she cried DISTRACTED. Drive
Off at once! Please-oh please!'
Perhaps the man had expected some
thing Of the sort, analysing Maitland's
words and manner. At all events he was
quick to appreciate. This was what he
been paid for royalty. in advance.
SEEKING reins and whip he 5erked the
startled animal between the shafts out OF
its abstraction and
81 say. cabby! One moment!"
The cabman turned: the figure on the
stOop Of the house was undoubtedly Matt
land's-Maitland as he had Just seen him.
with the addition OF a hat. AS he looked
the man was at the wheel. clambering
in. -
Changed my mind-Pm coming along.
cabby," he said. cheerfully. Drive us 70
the st. Luke building. please and-hurry"'
"Yessir!
Bitter as poverty the cruel lash cut
round the horses tanks. and as the han
som shot out at breakneck speed toward
9th avenue the girl covered back in her
corner, shivering, staring wide-eyed at the
man who had SO coolly placed himself at
her side. -
This. then. was that nameless danger !
that had stalked on the staircase, this
the personality whose animosity toward
her had grown SO virulent that, even
when consciously ignorant of its prox-
unity. she had been repealed and fright
ened by its subtle emanations! And noW
and now she was in his power! :.
Dazed with fear she started up, acting
blindly on the primitive instinct to n.y..
and in another moment doubtless. would !
have thrown herself boldly from the cab
to the sidewalk had her companion not
seized her by the forearm and by simple
force compelled her to resume her seat.
BE still. you little fool!' he told her.
sharply. do you think that I'm going
to let you go a third time? Not till I'm
through with you. I" And IL you
scream by the powers, I'll throttle your I
(To be continued tomorrow