Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1909-06-16
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r. VANCE,

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Briefly hesitant, with an impulsive
gesture she flung out generous hand.
You're right; l was unkind. For
give me. Won't you shake hands?
I do want to be a good COM
rade, since it has pleased Fate to
throw us together like this, $3.50
oddly" Her tone was almost plain
tive; unquestionably it was appealing.
Maitland was curiously moved by
the touch of the slim, cool fingers that
lay in his palm. Not unpleasantly. He
frowned in perplexity, unable to ana
lyZe the sensation
You're not angry?" 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-imperil
your good name, to say nothing of your
liberty"
She drew her hand away quickly, in.
terrupting him with laugh that rang
true as coin new from the mint, hon.
Wv ShN 6SAuAAOs
and this" she cried, "this from
Dan Anisty! Positively, sir, you are
delightful! You grow more danger
ously original every minute! Your
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.
L think shall D.. truly. I do
this sort of thing, since you must
know, because-imprimis, because I
like it. Indeed and l do! 1 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"
| ness! We must hurry. Will you, or
shall I-?"
A crisis had been passed; Maitland
! understood that he must wait until a
more favorable time to renew his
| opportunities.
Il WILL" he said, dropping on his
knees by the safe. I'm my lady's
service!"
mot at ALL" she interposed. II in.
| sist. The job is now yours; yours
must be the profits"
''Then wash my hands of the whole
affair" he stated in accents of fnality
Il refuse. / shall go, and you can do
as you will-blunder on" scornfully,
with your nitroglycerin, your rags,
and drills and-and rouse the entire
countryside, if 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, "I can
save you-oh, heaps of trouble in other
-ah-lays."'
She shrugged helplessly. eff must
then l do accept. We are partners,
Dan Anisty and T."
He nodded mute satisfaction, brushed
| the tools out of his way, and bent an
| attentive ear to the combination.
The girl swept across the room, and
there followed click simultaneous
with the total extinction of light.
Startled, why" he demanded.
1.-THE risk" she replied. I'VE have
been frightfully careless and thought
| less"
+ Helplessly Maitland twirled the com.
biration dial; without the light he was
wholly at a loss. But a breath later
skirts rustled near him; the slide of
the bulls-ey was jerked back, and a
circle of illumination thrown upon the
lock. He bent his head again, pretend
ing to listen to the fall of the tum-
blers as the dial was turned, but in
point of fact covertly watching the
letters and figures upon 1t.
| The room grew very silent, save for
the family regular respiration of the
| girl who bent near his shoulder. Her
breath was fragrant upon his cheek.
The consciousness of her propinquity
almost stifed him. s. One fears
that Maitland prolonged the counter
felt study of the combination unneces-
sarily.
| Notwithstanding this, she seemed
amazed by the ease with which he
solved it. Wonderful" she ap-
plauded, whispering, as the heavy door
! swung outward without jar.
"Hushi" he cautioned her.
In his veins that night madness was
running riot, swaying him at its will.
With never a doubt, never q thought
of hesitancy, he forged ahead, willfully
blind to consequences. On the face
of it he was playing FOOLS part; he
knew it; the truth Is simply that he
could not have done other than as he