Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-26

sloH IOF tUe UudN, amusement, CUll.
horror bred Of the knowledge that he
was voicing the truth about her, the
truth, at least, as he saw 1t, and-and
as Maitland would see it.
"Illusions?" she echoed, family. and
raised her eyes to his with pitiful
attempt at smile. ooh. but / must
have lost them, long ago; else
shouldn't be-"
Here and what you are That's
what I'm telling you"
She shuddered imperceptibly; looked
down and up again. swiftly. her express
sion inscrutable, her voice a-tremble
between laughter and tears: "Well?"
"Eh?" The directness Of her query
ing, canvas tapping and wind out of
his sails.
What are you offering me in ex-
change for my silly dream?" she in
quired, trace of spirit quickening her
tone.
"a fair exchange. I think-some-
thing that wouldn't offer you II you
hadn't been able to dream" He
paused, doubtful. clumsy.
go on she told him, family. Since
It must come, as we'll be over with 1t.
See here" He took heart Of
desperation. you took to Maitland
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 III treat you square.
never went back on q pal yet. Why"
Frightening 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, misleading 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 EN- back to you the day we're
married, all set and-as handsome
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
= 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.
mo, no." she begged.
We'll. and why not? Well?"-
tensely.
How do 4 know? This afternoon I
outwitted you, robbed and sold you
for-for what you call scruple. How
can know that you are not paying me
back in my own coin?"
ooh, but little woman!" he laughed,
tenderly, coming nearer. 1T is be-
cause you did that, because you could
hold those scruples and make q fool
of me for their sake, that l want you.
Don't think I'm capable Of playing
with you-it takes 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 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
the Gathering drum of galloping hoofs.
AT this hour" she cried aghast.
could it be"
mo fear. Besides-there, it's
stopped"
'In front of this house!"
"No, three doors up the street, at
least. That's something you must
learn, and can teach you-to judge
distance by sound in the darkness"
But l tell YOU" she insisted. re-
treating before him, "it's risk. There.
did you hear that?"
THAT" was the dulled crash of the
front door. ID
Anisty stepped to the table on them
slant and plunged the room in dark
ness.
STEADY" he told her evenly.
STEADY. 1t can't be-but take no
chances. Go to the trunk closet and
get that window open. If it's Matt
land, "-grimly-"well, III 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 OWNED his in
tention.
Quick" he babe her, savagely.
Don't you want
81 can't see,' she invented. where's
the door? l can't see."
Here"
Through the darkness his fingers
found hers. Come" he said
"Ah!"
Her hand closed over his wrist, and
in a thought she had flung herself be-
fore him and caught the other. In
the movement her hand brushed
against something that he was hold
i,u. npd ~ wac Gold and onOoth and