The Huttig news., 1908-11-21

ment or tdSte women Of the class Of this conquest-by proxy were out of reach of the enemy of society That Is. under ordinary circumstances. This one. on the contrary. was not; what ever she was or had been. however successful crackswoman she might be, her cultivation and breeding were as apparent as her beauty; and quite as attractive.
 A criminal Is necessarily first gam hler, a votary of Chance; and the Hind goddess had always been very kind to MT Anisty. He felt that here again she was favoring him Maitland le had eliminated from this girls life Maitland had failed to keep his en- gagement. and so would never again be called upon to play the part of burglar with her interest for incentive ard guerdon. Anisty himself could take up where Maitland had left off Easily enough The difficulties were Insignificant; he had only to play up to Maitland's standard for while, to be Maitland with all that gentemau's advantages. educational and social, then gradually drop back to his own level and be himself Dan Anisty, Handsome Dan" the professional, the fit mate for the girl.
 What was she saying?
 But you have lunehed already" with an appealing pout.
 Indeed, mol" he protested. earnest. ly. "I was early-eoneeive sly eager nessi-and by i'll chance Friend of mine insisted upon lunchins with me, had only cup of coffee ara a roll He motioned to the waiter. calling him Waiter" rather than 'fiarpon!" -.intuitivelv understanding that Matt land would never have aired hrs French in public place, and that he could not afford the least slip be- lore a woman as keen as this.
 Lay clean cloth and bring tho Dill of fare" he demanded. temperins his lordiy instincts and adding ths please" that men of Maitland's stamp dse to interiors.
 "A frend." tardily echoed the girl when the servant was gone.
 He laughed lightly. determined to be frank. "A detective, in point of fact" said he And he enjoyed her sur prise.
 You have many such?"
 For convenience one tries to have one in each city"
 And this-?"
 "Oh, have him fixed, all right. lie eenfded to me all the latest develop ments and official intentions with re- gsrd to the Maitland arrest"
 Her eyes danced Tell mel" she demanded. imperious; the emphasis of intimacy irresistible as she bent for. ward, forearms on the cloth, slim white hands elasped with tense ims patience, eyes seeking his.
 Why of course Maitland escaped"
 ''Noi"
 Fact. Scared the butler into un- gagging him; then, in fit of pardon able rage, knocked that fool down and dashed out of the window-presum- ably in pursuit of us. Up to a late hour he hadn't returned. and police opinion is divided as to whether Malt land arrested Anisty, and Anisty got away. or vice versa.
 Excellent" She clasped her hands noiselessly, a gay little gesture.
 "So, whatever the outcome, one thing $ certain: Higgins will presently be 'eeking another berth
 She lifted her brows prettily. "Hig. 'ins with the rising infection.
 The butler. Didn't you hear-?"
 Eyes wondering, she moved her head slowly from side to side. Hear what"'
 q fancied that you had waited a moment on the veranda," he finessed
 "Oh. I was quite too frightened"
 He took this for a complete denial. letter and betterl He had actually cared she had eavesdropped, how yer warrantably; and Maitland's authoritative way with the servants had been too convineingly natural to ave deceived a woman of her keen tits.
 There followed a Hull while Anisty was ordering the luncheon; something 1e did elaboratelS and with success, cling himself humorously: Hang he expense, Maitland pays" Ot which fact the weight in his pocket vas assurance.
 Maitland Anistys thoughts 5erged off uron an interesting tan gent What was Maitland's motive in arranging this meeting? It was self eyident that the twain were of one Norld-the girl and the man of fash On. But. whatever her right of her | tage she had renounced it, declassing herself by yielding to thievish in stincts, voluntarily placing herself on lie level of Anisty. Where she must remain for ever.
 There was comfort in that reflection. He glanced up to find her eyes bent in gravity upon him. She. too, it ap- peared. had fallen a prey to reverie. Upon what subject? An absorbing one, doubtless, since it held her ab- stracted despite her companions di- rect unequivocally admiring stare.
 The odd light was flickering again in the cracksman's glace. She was then more beautiful than aught that ever he had dreamed of Sueh hair as was