The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-10-14

marked only by the dull methodic tick.
ing OF the clock duletcd and ~
length she mustered courage Go move
from the door. against which she had
fiattened herself. one hand ciutching
the knob. ready to pull Il open and ny
upon the first aggressive sound.
In the interval her eyes had become
accustomed 10 the darkness. The
study door showed a pale oblong on
her right; 10 her left. and a little to-
ward the rear OF the fat. the door Of
Maltland's bed chamber stood ajar.
To this she tlptoed. standing upon the
threshold and listening with every
fiber OF her being. No sounds as of
the regular respiration OF a sleeper
warning her. she at length peered
stealthhy within: simultaneously she
pressed the button Of an electric hand.
lamp. Its circumscrlbcd blaze wavered
over pillows and counterpart spotless
and undisturbed
Then for the FIRST time she breathed
freely. convinced that she had been
right In surmislng that Maitland
would not return that night
Since early evening she had watched
the house from the window OF a top.
door hall bedroom in the boarding
house opposite. shortly before seven
she had seen Maitland. stir and
incorporating In rigorous even.
ing dress. leave in cab. Since
then only once had light appeared in
HIS rooms; at about half after nine ths
ianitor had appeared In the study,
turning up the gas and going TO the
telephone Whatever the nature OF
the communication received. the girl
had taken Il TO indicate that Maitland
had decided TO spend the night else
where: for the study llght had
burned for some ten minutes. during
which the janltor could occasionally be
seen moving mysteriously about. and
something later. bearing a suitcase.
he mad left the house and shufied
rapidly eastward to Madison avenue.
so she felt convinced that she had
all the small hours before her. secure
from interruption. And this time. she
told herself, she purposed making as
surance doubly sure.
But first 10 guard against discovery
from the street.
Turning back through the hall. She
dispensed with the handlamp. enter.
ing the darkencd study. Here all win.
dows had been closed and the outer
shades drawn-O'Hagan's last act be-
fore leaving with the suitcase add
tional proof that Maitland was not ex.
pected back that night For the ten.
perature was hlgh. the air In the
closed room Sliding.
Crossing 10 the windows, the girl
drew down the dark green inner
shades and closed the folding wooden
shutters over them. And was con.
scious Of deepened sense OF security.
Next going 10 the telephone. she 70
moved the receiver from the hook and
let II hang at the full length OF the
cord. In the dead silence the small
voice Of Central was clearly artieu.
late: what number Hello. what
number."-followed by the grumbllns
OF the immature as the operator tried
fruitlessly TO ring the disconnected
bell. The girl smiled family. aware
that there would now be no Interrupt.
tion from an inopportune call.
There remained as a final precau.
tion only a grand tour OF the fat:
which she made expeditiously. passing
swiftly and noiselessly lone contem.
plating midnight raids does not attire
ones self in silks and stArehed thinss)
from room 10 room. all comfortably
empty. Satisfied at last. she found
herself again in the study. and now
boldly. mind at rest. lighted the brass
student lamp with the green shade.
which she discovered on the desk.
Standing. hands resting lightly on
hips. breath coming quickly. cheeks
flushed and eyes alight with some in.
innate and inscrutable emotion. she
surveyed the room. Out OF the dusk
that lay beyond the plash OF illumina.
tion beneath the lamp. the furniture
began TO take on familiar shapes: the
divans. the heavy leather-cushioncd
easy chairs. the tall clock with It's pal.
lid staring face. tho small tables and
tabourettes. handily disposed for the
reception OF books and magazines and
pipes and glasses. the towering. old.
fashioned mahogany book case. the
useless. ornamental. beautiful Chip
pendale escritoire. In one corner: all
somferly Swallowed and all combining
TO dinuse an impression Of quiet. easy
going comfort.
Just such a study as ne would natur
ally have. She nodded silent approba
tion OF Il as a whole. And. nodding.
sat down at the desk. planting elbows
on its polished surface. interlacing her
fingers and grading her chin upon
their backs. turned suddenly pensiye.
The mood held her but briefly. She
had no time TO waste, and much 10
accomplish. sitting back,
her fingers Lought and pressed the
clasp Of her handbag and produced