Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-07-24
CHAPTER vII.-continued.

CHAPTER VII.-Continued.
He nodded, eyes to hers, fascinated,
with an odd commingling of fear and
hope and satisfied self-love. Now I
am unconnected with the affair. No
ore knows that I had any hand in it.
Besides, no one knows me-that I
steal" Her tone fell lower. "The po-
lice have never heard of me. DAM"
"I-believe-'
81 could get away" she interrupted;
"and then, if they stopped you"
You're right, by the powers!" He
struck the table smartly with his first.
You do that and we can carry this
through. Why, lacking the jewels, 1
am Maitland-I am even wearing Matt
lands clothesi" he boosted. 81 went
to his apartments this morning and
saw to that, because it suited my pur-
pose to be Maitland 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
were at the other end of the big room.
Anisty made certain that they were
not watching, then stealthily passed
the canvas bag to the girl. She bent
her head, bestowing 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 re-
mark were effaced, silenced. Who
could nlistrust her sincerity?
Then when and where may 1 see
you again. he demanded.
THE same place"
1t was a bold move; but she was
Standing; the waiter was back, an
nouncing the cab in waiting, and he
dared not protest Yet his pat riposte
commanded her admiration
No. Too risky. If they are watch
ing here, they may be there, too" He
shook his head decidedly. The flicker
OF doubt was again eXtin guished; for
undoubtedly 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 in
slant, then, fumbling in her pocket
book, extracted a typical feminine
pencil stub-its business end looking
as though it had been gnawed by
vindictive rat-and scrubbed hastily
on the back of menu card:
Mrs. McCabe, 2O5 West One Hun
dred and Eighteenth street. Top floor.
Ring three times"
81 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 it was calculated to
convey the impression that, in the
opinion CT one humble person, at least,
Mr.. Maitland was merry wag.
'Good-by DAM"
Anisty held her fingers in his hard
palm for an instant, rising from his
chair.
"Good-by, my DEAR" he said, clum-
silly.
He watched her disappear, eyes
humid. temples throbbing. by the
pcwers," he cried. But she's
worth it,''
Perhaps his meaning was vague,
even to himself He resumed his seat
mechanically and sat for a time
St0IAuS OISdUillS lHtO NdCduCys O1uAl
fingers drumming on the CLOTH
NO" he declared at length. NO;
I'm safe enough in her
hands"
Once secure from the public gaze,
the girl crowded back into a corner of
the cab, as though trying to efface her
self. Her eyes closed almost auto
natically; the curve of laughing lips
Ill Ill
peared between the arched brows;
waves of burning crimson flooded her
face and throat.
In her lap both hands lay clenched
into tiny fists-clenched so tightly that
it hurt. numbing her fngers-a phys
ical pain that. somehow. helped her to