The Washington times., 1909-08-29
CHAPTER XIII.
d LIZZTE RACK

NAAk wv ~ NA1 1NANNN aHNAa -
she got away from me-went
through that door with my boy be-
fore 1 got across the width of the
station, and could reach her or see
where she went-she would be gone
again, swallowed up in the city.
She was out of sight now as I ran
toward the door, my eyes strained TO
catch a glimpse Of her as soon as 1
reached the pavement outside.
And then. as / rushed out on the
street I saw her walking down the
avenue straight before me,
The made a forlorn and sorry sight
the girl and my child Ronalq
could see, was crying and pulling back
fretfully on LizZie's hand. Both were
wet and b~edraggled
AS I looked at my child, running AFTER
him. I wished. for the first time since
] a known her. that Lizzie had stolen
something for which 1 would gladly
have been responsible-an umbrella
The next instant 1 had caught up
10 the two forlorn figures, ploddlng
along through the rain. 1 laid my
hand firmly on the girls shoulder.
She turned. and at sight Of me she
dropped Ronald's hand, shrank before
mo and screamed.
1 presume my appearance. more than
my student presence, startled her. A
epectacle I surely must have been-wet,I
wIld-eyed and fresh from the terrOrs OF
An the breakneCk automobile ride as 1 was.
Lizzie. YOU must NNHAAt WIN me Il
said. reaching out and grasping her
firmly by the shoulder. Don't truggle
I have got you now, N I mean to
Keep you
glad you've Gomez
1 wanted to take the boy in my arms
/ wanted 10 feel Of him close 10 me,
now thai 1 had him back after the fear
that / had lost him
Bat I did MT dare let go of Lizzie.
She was too tricky a customer eXpe-
ID Aa~a-h 80 Ia nln IA
chances with. And after my hard chase
20 get her back L did not intend 10 be
rid OF her In a hurry
I'VE are going right hack home, Ron
AID" I comforted the wet and weary
little chap. We viii go right back 10
mamma"
"AH the long way back in the cars?'
he asked. with sleepy fretfulness. Pa
pa. I want TO 60 to bed-I'm 50 tired
yes. YES. my sonT' I soothed him.
'Wen go to bed-just IS soon as We
get ONE
He caught my hands.
But 1 don't want TO go hack in the
cars" he sobbed. I'm sleepy, and i
want TO go 10 bed no-o-w!'
/ thought for a minute. Perhaps II
YOU be better not to put the Cnlld
10 the ordeal OF returning home that
night-he was too worn out and ne
might take sick II / kept him out any
longer in the night and the storm.
Bat his mother ought to know at once
that he was safe 1 could telephone ner.
That would reassure her-the news from
me that the boy was all right and IN
my charge would be the same, pract-
cally. as seeing him
Yet, on the other hand, there was
Lizzie. If I did not return home with
her how was I to keep her from run
ming away until the morrow?
Well, I Determined could keep watch
over her II I took them both 10 a hotel
and stopped there over night And So
linking Lizzie's arm IN mine and tax
inging Ronald by the hand on my other
side, ! set of for the hosiery across
the street from the railroad station.
On the way I stopped at an all-nlgnt
~4eIephone Office. The three OF us went
inside. and I broke the good news TO
When we came out. Lizzie found her
Tin sorry for taking Ronald. Herr
Norris" she stammered. II ola n9I
mean to do II. because II was wicked;
i was going away from you, ana 1
wanted to take the little boy with me-
7 did not answer her.
"Are-are you going to put me IN
PRISON. she asked timidly. viii YOU
will you send me 10 the electrlc
chair2'
She had remembered the threats I had
made to her Of the penalties Of crime
that would be her lot II she stole, 1
realized with almost a smile.
I walked on in silence, Ignoring her
"Piease.~ she hesitated. please. Herr
Norris. will you tell me what YOU arc
going 10 do with me? Is II TO prison
chair full Of sparks and currents OF
you will find out what IS going 70
happen 70 you, my girl" I answered
darby. when 7 am ready 10 punish
you. And not before
I could feel her trembling AT my SIDE
We walked on in Uninterrupted silence.
Poor girl. I began really 10 feel sorry
FOR herf She could not help being what
she was-a thief. She was not h
really. she was only a kleptomanlac
'There, there, Lzzie!' 7 turned 70
-yhisner 10 her as we mounted the steps
81 the hotel. "Don't be frightened
am not going 10 punish you too seveEelg
for what you have done. You are JUS
going away on a long, long Journey 1
She said nothing n we entered the
foyer Of the hotel. I kept hold OF her
arm as I stepped 10 the desk and regis
tered for our party. 1 ordered '"O
"Nor, Lizzie" 7 said turning away
from fbe desk toward the elevators, Il
am going 70 put you and Ronald lnto
a room. and I want you 70 put 1lm 10
bed and 70 yourself. UnoersIdhu'
She nodded silently
We entered a car and rode up 10 our
door. 7 ala not release my mold on the
Efrl. I was sorry for her. but was
also responsible Tor her. She should not
escape me until morning. I thought
"There Is your room" 7 threw open
qhe door Of the chamber next 20 mine
GO IN and put Ronald 10 bed at once.
You'll do that. won't your
Again she nodded without a word.
VERY WELL" 7 said. gently pushing
her in. Then 7 bent and kissed Ronald
good night. I'll see you both in the
morning" T ended. pushing the boy into
the room after her.
Then I closed the door. Carefully I
turned the key In the lock. 7 even tug
Fed vigorously At the knob 20 see that
the door was tightly shut and impos-
Eible 20 oTen.
That done. 7 turned down the hall 70
my own ROOM opened the door. and
stepped inside.
And the next moment 7 returned car
ming a chair.
placed It before the door Of Lizz.e's
room. Dropping the back against the
opposite wall 7 sat down.
In my rand 7 held the key that locked
her IN. 7 was prepared for an all
night vigil-my ewes would never leave
the door before which 7 sat until II was
time % open that door and bring my
O. captive out.
7 had had a hard time trying 20 get
rid Of Lizzie was not rid Of her vet.