Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-06-24

the knocker or else, outraged, had
smitten the noisy disturber with a
palsy
The girl seemed to know her way.
Whether guided by familiarity or by
intuition. she led on without hesita-
ton. Kirkwood laundering in her
wake between confusion of impression
and dawning dismay. conscious of but
one tangible thing, to which he chung
as to his hope of salvation-those firm,
friendly fingers that clasped his own.
1t was as If they wandered on for
an hour. Probably from start to fin
ish their fight took up three minutes
no more. Eventually the girl stop
ped, releasing his hand. He could hear
her syncopated breathing before him
and gathered that something was
wrong He took a step forward.
"What is it?''
Her full voice broke out Of the OBJ
security startlingly close in his very ear,
1.-THE door-the bolts-I can't bulge
them"
LET me-"
He pressed forward. brushing her
shoulder. She did not draw away, but
willingly yielded place to his hands at
the fastenings, and what had proved
impossible to her to his strong fingers
was a matter of comparative ease.
Yet, not entirely consciously, he was
not quick AS he tugged at the bolts
he was poignantly sensitive to the
subtle warmth of her at his side. He
could hear her soft. dry sobs of ex-
element and suspense punctuating the
quiet and was frightened absolutely
by an impulse. too strong for ridicule.
to take her in his arms and comfort
her with the assurance that. whatever
her trouble. he would stand by her
and protect her. 1t were futile to try
to laugh 1t off. He gave over the en-
deavor. Even at this critical moment
he found himself repeating over and
over to his heart the question: Can
this be love? Can this be lover
Could it be love at an hours ac-
quaintance? Absurd! But he could
not laugh nor render himself insensi-
Bile to the suggestion.
He found that he had drawn the
bolts. The girl tugged and ratified at
the knob. Reluctantly the door opened
inward. Beyond its threshold stretched
ten feet or more Of covered passage
way whose entrance framed an oblong
glimmering with light. A draft Of
fresh air smote their faces. Behind
them a door banged.
where does this open?"
ION the news" she informed him.
1.-THE mewsv' He stared In conster-
nation at the pallid oval that stood for
her face. THE news! But you. in
your evening gown. and r.
There's no other way. We must
chance 1t. Are you afraidr'
"Afraid1" He stepped aside. She
slipped by him and on. He closed the
door. carefully removing the key and
locking It on the outside. then Joined
the girl at the entrance to the news.
where they paused perforce she a.
much diconcerted as he. his primary
objection momentarily waxing In force
as they surveyed the conditions CIR
cumscribing their escape.
Quadrant news was busily engaged
In enjoying itself. Night had fallen
sultry and humid. and the walls and
doorsteps were well fringed and clus-
tered with representatives of that class
Of London's population which infests
news through habit taste or force Of
circumstance.
Over against the entrance wherein
Kirkwood and the girl lurked, con-
founded by the problem Of escaping
undetected through this vivacious
scene. stable door stood wide. expos
ing dimly illumined interior. Before
1t waited four wheeler. horse already
hitched In between the shafts, while
Its driver. q man of leisurely turn Of
mind. made lingering inspection OF
straps and buckles. and, while Kirk
kood watched him. turned attention to
the carriage lamps.
The match which be raked spiritedly
down his thigh lared ruddily. The
succeeding paler glow Of the lamp
threw into relief a heavy beefy mask
with shining bosses for cheeks and
nose and chin. Through narrow Sits
two cunning eyes glittered like dull
gems. Kirkwood appraised him with
attention as one In whose gross car
cass was embodied their only hope Of
unannoyed return to the streets and
normal surroundings Of their world.
The difficulty lay In attracting the
mans attention and engaging him
without arousing his suspicious or
bringing the population about their
ears. Though he hesitated long. no IA
vorable opportunity presented itself,
and In time the jehu approached the
box with the ostensible purpose of
mounting and driving off. In this crit
zeal situation the American, forced to
recognize that boldness must mark his
course. took the girls fate and his
own In his hands and, with a quick
word to his companion, stepped out of
hiding
The cabby had foot upon the step