Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-07

and put it in her lap The smallest Key
fitted the lock at the first attempt
The lid came up and
Perhaps 1t Is not altogether discredit-
able that one should temporarily forget
ones computations in the long derer
red moment of triumph. The girl uttereS
a little cry Of Joy.
Crash-the front door down stairs
had been slammed.
She was on her feet In breath, faint
with fear. Yet not so overcome that she
forgot her errand, her success. AS she
stood UP she dropped the dispatch ooz
back into the drawer. without sound
and opening her hand bag, stuffed some
thing into it.
No time to do more: a dull rumble of
masculine voices was distinctly, fright
fully audible in the stiffness or the
house voices of men conversing together
in the inner vestibule. One laughed, and
the laugh seemed to penetrate her bosom
like knife. Then both STROBE across the
thing and began to ascend, as was clearly
told her by footsteps sounding deadened
on the padded carpet.
Panic-stricken, she turned to the stu
dent lamp and with quick twirl and up
ward jerk Of the chimney catch extin-
guished the flame. reek Of smoke I'M
mediately began to foul the close, not
air: and she knew that 1t would betray
her, but was helpless to stop 1t. Be
sides. she was caught. trapped, damned
beyond redemption unless unless
il were not Maitland, after all. but one
of the other tenants, unexpectedly return
ed and bound for another fiat.
Futile hope Upon the landing by the
door the footsteps ceased; and Key
grated in the wards of the lock.
I2lipd xvtfb tprror sOlp thought an
instructive impulse to hide and so avert
discovery until the last possible instant,
on the bare chance of something happen
ing to save her, the girl caught up her
skirts and fed like a hunted shadow
through the alcove, through the bed
chamber. thence down the hall toward the
dining room and kitchen offices.
The outer door was being opened ere
she had reached the hiding place she had
! In mind: the trunk closet. from which,
! she remembered remarking, window
opened upon a fire escape. 1t was barely
possible, fighting chance.
She closed the door. grateful that It's
| latch slipped silently into place, and fair
| ly flung herself upon the window, painful
| " bruising her soft hands in vain endeav-
or to raise the sash. 1t stuck obstinately
| would not Yield. Too late, she remem-
| bered that she had forgotten to draw
| the catch--fatal oversight! A sob of ter
ror choked in her throat. Already
| footsteps were hurrying down the nall; a
| line of light frightened underneath the
| door; voices, excitedly keyed. banded
| question and comment, an, unmistakable
| Irish brogue mingling With clear enun-
| citation which she had but too great rea-
| son to remember. The pair had passed in
to the next room. She could hear OLA
1 hnr Gnr
Then it's the dining room, or the trunk
closet. Come along!"
One last, frantic attempt! But the Win
dow catch, rusted with long disuse,
! stuck Painting, sick with fear, the girl
! leaped away and crushed herself into a
| corner, crouching on the floor behind a
heavy box, her dark cloak drawn up to
shield her head.
| And the door opened.
flood OF radiance from the relighted
student lamp fell athwart the floor. The
girl lay close and still, holding her
| breath.
| Ten seconds. perhaps. licked on into eter-
! nifty; seconds that were in themselves
eternitles. Then: mo one here, Ola
gam"
/ The door was closed, and through its
| panels more family came: Faith, ana
the numbering divvle must We flew tn
coop afore We come in, sor."
The girl tried to rise, TO make again
for the window; but it was as though her
limbs had turned to water; there was no
strength in her; and the blaclness swan
visibly before her eyes, radiating away in
whirlng, streaky circles.
Even such resolution and strong will
as was hers could not prevail against that
mumblng, deathly exhaustion. Her eyes
closed and her head fell back against the
| wall.
1t seemed but an instant Though ii was
In point Of fact a full five minutes) ere
the sound of a voice again reused her.
She looked up. dazzled by a gush of
| warm light.
He stood IN the doorway. holding the
lamp high above his head, his face pale,
grave, and Swallowed as he peered down
at her.
Il have sent O"Iagan away" he said
gently. IF you will please to come,
| now"
Continued in Next Issue.
DTAn mTJTCI