The Huttig news., 1908-10-31

1 NChsNtHdltN- 1-l-I-ItJJ tdFitiS3 Sli You. Mister Maitland, sir,"
 .Ah, Higgins. his employer greeted the butler hlandly.
 Higgins pulled up. thunierstruck, panting and rerspiring with agitation. His fat checks quivered like the wat ties of a gobbler. and his eyes bulged as. by degrees, he became alive to the situation
 Maitland began to explain. forestall- ing the endorsements of cross.exain- ination
 By the merest accident. Higgins was passing in my car with party of friends. Just for a joke I thought I'd steal up to the house and see how yon were behaving yourselves, By chance -agaia-I happened to see this lieh through the library windows. An Maitland, putting an incautious hand uron the bulls.eye on the desk. with drew it instantly. with an exclamation ot annoyance and four scorched fin gers.
 'Fe's been Al the safe" he added quickly. diverting attention from him self, q was just in time"
 My wor-r-rd," said Higgins. with emotion Then quickly. Did . get anythin do you think. sir?.'
 Maitland shook his head. scowlng over the buffers burly shoulders at the rapidly augmenting eoneourse of serv- ants in the hallway--lackeys. grooms. maids, cooks, and what-not; a back ground of pale, scared faces to the tableau in the library. This won't do" considered Maitland. Get back, all of you," he ordered, sternly. indi- eating the group with dominant and infexible forefnger. Those who are wanted will be sent for. Now go! Higgins. you may stay.
 Yes. sir Yes, sir. But wot an 'orrid 'appenin. sir, if you'll permit nc"
 'I won't Be quiet and listen. This man is Anisty-Handsome Dan Anisty. the notorious jewel thief. wanted badly by the police of dozen cities. You understand? I'm going now to motor to the village and get the constables; I may" he invented. des- perately be delayed--may have to get a detective from Brooklyn. If th.s scoundrel stirs, don't touch him. Let him alone-he can't escape if you do. Above all things, don't you dare to re- move that gagi"
 Most cert'inly. sir. I shall bear in mind wot you says"
 You'd best" grimly. Now I'm off. No; I don't want any attendance-I know my way. And-don't n't-touch- that man-tiH l return.
 Very goed, sir
 Maitland stepped over to the safe. glanced within, eursorily, replaced bundle of papers which he did not re- call disturbing, closed the door and twirled the combination.
 Nothing gone" he announced. An inarticulate gurele from the prostrate man drew black scowl from Malt land. Recovering. Good morning" he said politely to the butler, and striding out of the house by the front door, was careful to slam that behind him. ere darting into the shadows.
 The moon was down, the sky a cold. opaque gray, overcast with a light drift of cloud. The park seemed very dark. very dreary: a searching breeze was sweeping inland from the sound. souehing sadly in the tree tops; a chill humidity rermeated the air. pre- cursor of rain. The young man shiv cred both with chill and reaction from the tension of the emergency just past.
 He was aware of an instantaneous loss of heart, subsistence of the elation which had upheld him through out the adventure. and 10 escape this. to forget Or overcome it. took imme- diately to his heels. scampering madly for the road. oppressed with fear lest he should find the girl gone-with the jewels.
 That she should prove untrue. faith less. lacking even that honor which proverbially obtains Tn the society of criminals-a consideration of such possibility was in olerable. as much so as the suspense of ignorance. He could not would noty believe her capable of ingratitude so rank; and fought fiercely. unreasoningly. against the conviction that she would have fol- lowed her thie1ish instincts and made off with the booty. A JtiuSt1t1l Htft oHd ilEui hIOh Htht for his madness,
 Heart in mouth, he reached the gates. passing through without dis. covering her. and was struck dumb aLd witless With relief when she stepped quietly from the shadows of low branching tree. offering him a guiding hand.
 Come she said, quietly This way"
 Without being exactly conscious of what he was about he caught the hand in both his own. Then" he ex- ulted almost passionately-"the you didn't"
 His voice choked in his throat. Her face, momentarily upturned to his. gleamed pale and weary in the dreary light; the face of tired child, troubled, saddened; yet with eyes in- expressibly sweet. She turned away tugging at her hand.
 You doubted me, after all!" she