Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-06-19

was passing in my car with party OF
friends Just for a joke I thought I'd
steal up to the house and see how you
were behaving yourselves. By chance
again. happened to see this light
through the library windows" And
Maitland. putting an incautious hand
upon the bullss-eye on the desk, with
drew it instantly, with an exclamation
OF annoyance and four scorched fin
gers.
He's been at the SAFE" he added
quickly, diverting attention from him
self Il was just in time
MY wor-r-rdi" said Higgins, with
emotion Then quickly: Did e get
anythin', do you think, sir?''
Maitland shook his head, scowling
over the buffers burly shoulders at the
rapidly augmenting concourse of serv-
ants in the hallway-lackeys grooms,
maids, cooks. and what-not; a back
ground of pale, scared faces to the
tableau in the library. This won't
do considered Maitland Get back,
all of you," he ordered, sternly, indi-
eating the group with a dominant and
infiexible forefinger. Those who are
Higgins, you may stay"
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. But wot an
'orrid 'appenin', sir, if you'll permit
me"
Il won't. Be quiet and listen. This
man is Anisty-Handsome Dan Anisty,
the notorious jewel thief, wanted badly
by the police of a dozen cities. You
understand? I'm going now
to motor to the village and get the
constables; 1 may" he invented. des-
perately, "be delayed-may have to get
a detective from Brooklyn. If this
scoundrel stirs, don't touch him. Let
him alone-he can't escape if you do.
Above all things, don't you dare to re-
move that gag,"
Most cert'inly, sir. I shall bear in
mind wot you says"
You'd best" grimly. Now I'm off.
No; 1 don't want any attendance
know my way. Authorization
that man-till 1 return
Very good, SIR
Maitland stepped over to the safe,
glanced within, cursorily, replaced a
bundle of papers which he did not re-
call disturbing, closed the door and
twirled the combination
Nothing gone" he announced. An
inarticulate gurgle from the PROSTATE
man drew a black scowl from Matt
land. Recovering, Good morning" he
said politely to the butler, and striding
out of the house by the front door.
was careful to slam that behind him.
ere darting into the shadows.
The moon was down, the sky a cold,
Opaque gray, overcast with light
drift of cloud. The park seemed very
dark, very dreary; a searching breeze
was sweeping inland from the sound
soughing sadly in the tree tops; a
chill humidity permeated the air, pre-
cursor of rain. The young man shiv-
cred, both with chill and reaction from
the tension of the emergency just past.
He was aware of an instantaneous
loss of heart, subsistence of the
elation which had upheld him through
out the adventure; and to escape this,
to forget or overcome it, took imme-
diately to his heels, scampering madly
for the road, oppressed with fear lest
he should find the girl gone-With the
jewels.
That she should prove untrue, faith
less, lacking even that honor which
proverbially obtains in the society OF
Criminals consideration of such a
possibility was intolerab1e, as much
so as the suspense of ignorance. He
could not, would not, believe her
capable of ingratitude so rank; and
fought fiercely, INCREASINGLY, against
the conviction that she would have fol
lowed her thievish instincts and
made off with the booty. A
judgment meet and right upon him
for his madness
Heart in mouth, he reached the
gates, passing through without dis
covering her, and was struck dumb
and witless with relief when she
stepped quietly from the shadows OF
a low branching tree, offering him a
guiding hand.
Come" she said, quietly. This
way"
Without being exactly conscious OF
what he was about he caught the
hand in both his own. Then" he ex
ulted almost Observation-Disclosures you
didn't"
His voice choked in his throat. Her
face, momentarily upturned to his
cleaned pale and weary in the dreary
light; the face of tired child
troubled, saddened; yet with eyes in
expressibly sweet. She turned away
tugging at her hand
ITO RE CONTTNT-ED