The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-08-26
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bll'hl uthllduts Nltn an ll1pulalNs
gesture she flung out a generous hand,
You're right; I was unkind. For
give me. Won't you shake hands7
do want TO be a good com.
rade. since II has pleased Fate To
throw us together like this, $3.50
oddly" Her tone was almost plain.
tive; unquestlonably It was appealing.
Maitland was curlously moved by
the touch OF the slim, cool fingers that
lay in his palm. Not unplessantly. He
frowned in perplexity. unable TO ans'
lyze the sensation.
You're not angry7" she asked.
"No-but-but-"
"Yes?"
why do you do this. little woman'
Why do you stoop TO this-this trade
Of yo-of ours? Why sully your hands
and not only your hands--imperii
your good name, to say nothing OF your
liberty--7" rs t0
She drew her hand away quickly, N
torupting him with laugh that rang
true as a coin new from the mint, hon
est and genuine.
And this" she cried, this from
Dan Anisty! Positively. sir. you are
delightful You grow more danger
ously original every minute! Youi
scruples. your consideration. your sym
pathy-they are touching-in you!'
She wagged her head daintily in pre-
tense Of disapprobation. But shall
] tell YOU" more seriously, doubtfully
Il think / shall truly. i dc
this sort OF thing. since you must
know. because-imprimis. because |
like 1t. Indeed and ] do! like the
danger, the excitement. the exercise Of
cunning and-and / like the rewards
too. Besides
The corners OF her adorable mouth
dropped ever so slightly.
Besides"
why But this is not bust
ness, We must hurry. Will you. OF
shall -"
A crisis had been passed; Maitland
understood that he must wait until q
more favorable time to renew his
opportunities.
Il will,"' he said. dropping on hi
knees by the safe. In my lady''
service!" .....
mot at ALL" she interposed. Il In
sist. The job is now yours; your
must be the profits"
Then / wash my hands OF the whole
affair."" he stated in accents OF finality
Il refuse. / shall go. and you can d.
as you will-blunder on" scornfully
with your nitroglycerin. your rags
and drills and-and rouse the entirs
countryside. II you WILL"
"Ah, but"
"Will you accept my aid?"
ION conditions, only" she stipulated
"Halvers?"
He shook his head.
HALF shares. or not at ALL" She
was firm.
"A partnership"
This educed moue OF doubt, with
I'm not worthy the honor
"But." he promised rashly, Il car
save you--oh. heaps Of trouble in othel
-ah-lays"
She shrugged helplessly. III mus
then do accept We are partners
Dan Anisty and II"
He nodded mute satisfaction. brushe,
the tools out of his way, and bent al
attentive ear to the combination.
The girl swept across the room. ant
there followed a click simultaneou
with the total extinction of light.
Startled, Why" he demanded.
"The risk" she replied. I'VE hav
been frightfully careless and thought
less"
Helplessly Maitland twi-led the com
blration dial; without the light he wa
wholly at a loss. But breath late
skirts rustled near him; the slide o
the bull'ssye was jerked back. and |
circle of Illumination thrown upon tn,
lock. He bent his head again. pretend
ing TO listen to the fall OF che tum
blers as the dial was turned. but II
point of fact covertly watching tn,
letters and figures upon II.
The room grew very silent. save TO
the family regular respiration of thu
girl who bent near his shoulder. He
breath was fragrant upon his cheek
The consciousness OF her propinquit.
almost stifed him. One fear
that Maitland prolonged the counter
felt study of the combination unneces
sarily.
Notwithstanding this. she seeme'
amazed by the ease with which h
solved II. Wonderful" she az
plauded, whispering. as the heavy doc
swung outward without a jar.
"Hushl" he cautioned her.
In his veins that night madness wa
running riot, swaying him at its will
With never a doubt, never a though
OF hesitancy, he forged ahead. willfull'
blind to consequences. On the fac
of I; he was playing a fools part; h
anew IL; the truth is simply that h
could not have done other than as h
| H.. hal m al