Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-23
smiling and the golden case had disap-

smiling and the golden case had disap-
peared.
She shook her head at him in mock re-
prevail. Bold man., she called him. but
the crudity of it was lost upon him. as
she had believed it would be. The mo-
| ment had come for vigorous measures
she felt, guilt having paved the way.
Why do you call me that?
ITO appear so openly. running the
gantlet of the detectives. -
"Eh ?'-startled.
"Of course you saw she insisted.
Saw? No. Saw WHAT"
why perhaps 1 am mistaken. but
I thought you knew and trusted to your
likeness to Mr.. Maitland.
Anisty frowned collecting himself, be-
wildered. what are you driving at, any
how?" he demanded. roughly. .
Didn't you see the detectives? l should
have thought your man would have
warned you. I noticed four lettering
round the entrance as I came In and
feared 80
why didn't you tell me then?"
Il have just told you the reason l
supposed you were in your disguise.
That's So" The alarmed expression
gradually faded. though oi he sem ma aea
life" he continued with satisfaction
Even the head waiter
And. of course" she insinuated. deli
cately, 'you have disposed of the loot"
He shook his head gloomily. No time
as vet"
Her disnay was evident. You don't
mean to say-?'
I'm my pocket"
I'm your pocket" she whispered. And
and If they stopped yOu-
Il am Maitland"
But if they insisted on searching
you. . =" She was round eyed with ap-
prelIension.
That's sou Her perturbation was in
fictitious. His jaw dropped.
''They would find the jewels-known to
by God"' he cried savagely.
DAN
II beg your pardon. But - what
am to do? You are sure
"McClusky himself is on the nearest
corner."
"Phew." he whistled, and stared at her.
searchingly through lengthening pause.
Dan = :" said she at length.
''Yes?"
There is a way 80
'"Go on
Last night Dan'-she raised her
glorious eyes to his-"last night I
l trusted you
His face hardened ever so slightly; yet
when he took thought the tense lines
about his eyes and mouth softened. And
she drew deep breath. knowing that she
had all but won.
Il trusted you" she continued. softly.
trusted YOU"
He nodded. eyes to hers. fascinated.
with an odd commingling of fear and
hope and satisfied self-love. Now am
unconnected with the affair. No one
knows that had any hand in 1t. Be-
sides. no one knows me-that I-steal."
Her tone fell lower. The police have
never heard of me. DAM
"1-believe-"
II could get away" she interrupted,
ssonI han, ctr
You're right. by the powers! He
struck the table smartly with his fist.
You do that and we can carry this
| through. Why, lacking the jewels. l am
clothes!" he boosted. II went to his
apartments this morning and saw to that.
| because 1t suited my purpose to be Matt
land for day or two
''Then-?" Her gaze questioned his,
"Waiter" cried Anisty. And. when the
man was deferential at his elbow, Call
cab at once, please"
"Certainly. sir.
| The rest of the corps of servants was
at the other end of the big ROOM Anisty
made certain that they were not watch
| ing. then stealthily passed the canvas bag
| to the girl She bent her head, bestow-
| ing it in her handbag
! "You have made me happy. Dan, .
came TREMENDOUSLY from beneath the hat
| brim.
Whatever doubts may have assailed him
| when it was too late by that remark
were effaced. silenced. Who could mis-
! trust her sincerity?
"Then when and where may l see you
again. he demanded.
The same place"
| 1t was bold move: but she was stand
ing; the waiter was back. announcing the
cab in waiting and he dared not protest
Yet his pat riposte commanded her ad-
miration.
| mo Too risky. If they are watching
| here they may be there, too" He shook
| his head decidedly. The flicker of doubt
| Maitland had escorted her home that
morning: her reference had been to that
place Somewhere else he insisted,
| confident that she was playing fair.
| She appeared to think for an instant.
then. fumbling in her pocketbook. ex-
| tracted typical feminine pencil stub-its
| business end looking as though it had
been gnawed by a vindictive rat-and
scrubbed hastily on the back of menu
card
Mrs. McCabe. 205 West 11sth street.
| Top floor Ring three times
II shall be there at seven," she told
| him. "You won't fail me?'
Not if I'm still at liberty he laughed.
And the waiter smiled at discretion, a
far-away and unobtrusive smile. that
| could by no possibility give offense: at
the same time 1t was calculated to con-
vey the impression that. In the. opinion
OF one humble person, dI icdsl, MI Mdlt-
land was merry wag..
'Good-bye = DAM"
Anisty held her fingers in his hard palm
| for an instant rising from his chair.
Goodbye, my dear" he said, clumsily.
| He watched her disappear. eyes humid,
| temples throbbing. BY the powers"' he
T! cried. But she's worth it,
Perhaps his meaning was vague even
| to himself He resumed his seat me-
chanically and sat for time staring
dreamily into vacancy. blunt fingers
drumming on the cloth.
No" he declared at length. mo; I'm
safe enough - in her hands,"
Once secure from the public gaze the
girl crowded back into corner Of the
cab, as though trying to efface herself.
| Her eyes closed almost automatically:
the curve Of laughing lips became a dole
| full droop; a crinkle appeared between
! the arched brows; waves of burning Grim
son flooded her face and throat.
In her lap both hands lay clenched
| into tiny fists-clenched SO tightly that 1t
hurt, numbing her fingers-a physical pain
that. somehow helped her to endure the
! paroxsyms of shame. That she should
have stopped SO low!
Presently the fingers relaxed and her
whole frame relaxed in sympathy. The