Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-25

the train, but did not see him. Then
she dropped off at the first revolution
of the wheels She hurried to the lunch
counter and dining rooms. He was
nowhere in sight. She turned toward
the ladies' waiting room, actuated by
a vague intention of waiting for the
next train, when she perceived that
something in her manner had at
tracted the attention of a baggageman,
a policeman and others. She assumed
a careless air, and going to cigar
md, put down a nickel her hand had
come in contact with in the pocket
of the coat, indicating a cigar, She
must have been lucky in her selection,
for the one she pointed to was handed
out and the nickel was taken without
comment. She lit it with great dssur-
ance, luG it in her mouth and walked
away, ascending the steps that led
toward the city.
What should she do-where go to
find him?
Enters Hotel
AT the corner she stood irresoiute in
the shaGow of a tall magnolia, look
ing up the street which crossed the
one she had just traversed, she saw
two arms of light outstretched across
the rect. Beyond a deep cut in the
road w9s the Palace saloon.
on one side the light shone out from
the Il. +. Mems hotel. With renewed
hope she dashed forward again, trying
to keep a bold and fearless swing. She
crossed the street diagonally to the
side upon which the saloon and holel
we're situated. When fifty yards from
the building loud, harsh "11allo
thsre" and burst of coarse laughter
greeted her from the plank walk above.
ptt mise
neither turning her head nor dltl' ken
ing her step. Volley after volley of
coarse Ell ithets were hurled at her.
"Give me that gun. I'll teach that
rube to look up when he's saluted, -
said a voice.
BY this time the men had reached
the steps and came Gathering down
like horses galloping over loose boards
son a bridge The steps were exactly
opposite the hotel But one course was
open to her. Without apparently pay
ing the least attention to them she
assembled the steps of the hotel, opened
the door and walked in. The door
closed behind her, but the windows
were open and the blinds up They
could see her as she walked with UNI
faltering steps to the keyboard took a
key from a hook and passed up stairs.
Sees Husband
Reaching the shadows of the stair
way she dropped down frightened and
trembling but with a feeling of present
security She heard a door open below.
The proprietor. finding no one, closed
il again and all was silent. Her cour-
age lay in immediate action. She stole
softly down the steps and out upon the
street. She proceeded along the mar
row path at the base of the eXcaVa-
ton through the hill. The long stream
= al the street
from the windows of the Palace
soothed the fears. The place was wide
open for the night was sultry.
Unobserved she halted at an open
window and peered in. He was seated
at the bar, talking. She bowed her
head close against the side of the win
dow in a tense strained attitude, lis
tening.
well. 1 hold no grudge against you
for missing my train. There's another
about siX-thirty and I've made up my
mind to return home and see the wife
again before going out
He rose as he spoke. something IN
his look repulsed her-some indefinite
fear of him. She felt that the way
home would be Observation-Disclosures
safer-alone She turned and walked
rapidly back through the cut. As she
neared the hotel the three toughs
turned the corner i'm front of her. IN
StantlY she recognized their voices.
They were running, and she knew she,
too, must run in order to make the
hotel ahead of them. AS soon as she
emerged from the darkness into the
light they saw her. and with a shout
of triumph bounded forward.
Pursued
'Now we'll make him give an ac-
count of himself. Been up to get
drink, Ell? Well, We'll give you
chance to treat" they shouted
At the first shout she sprang for
ward, leaped over the side steps, across
the porch and ran inside like a fleeing
cat. One of them was so close upon
her heels that he made the door and
was in before it closed behind her.
The others followed but she was out of
sight. Near the top of the dark stair
wav she sat down trembling and shiv-
ering
While the men stood debating wheth-
err to follow the opening of a door in
hallway below decided the matter for
them. The hurried shutting OF feet, the
noisy bang of the front door and their
loud voices in the street assured her of
their departure. She came down still
voices receding in the direction of the
Palace and she knew she must go
forth into the night and face again
nerils in the streets of a great city.
AS she descended the stairs an old
man came lettering out of the hall
He turned his eyes toward her with
a dull look OF inquiry as she approach
ed and asked hurriedly:
do you suppose l could get some
one-or two-of your women help to
60 part the way home with me?'