Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-24
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

you doubted me, after ALL" she
commented, a trife bitterly.
'I-no! You misunderstood me.
Believe me, l."
"Ah, don't protest. What does it
make or mar, whether or mo- you
trusted me? Z. You have" she
added, quietly, "the jewels safe
enough, l suppose?"
He stopped short, aghast. 81! The
jewels!"
Il slipped them in your coat pocket
before"
Instantly her hand was free, Matt
land ramming both his own into the
side pockets of his top pat They're
safe!"
She smiled uncertainty.
I'VE have no time" said she. Can
you drive-?"
They were standing by the side of
her car, which had been cunningly hid
den in the gloom beneath a spreading
tree on the further side of the road.
Maitland, crestfallen, offered his hand;
the tips of her fingers touched, his
| pam lShll dS IL Jull1pCu ~. I1C uCo-
itated at the step.
you wish me to?"
She laughed lightly. Most assured
ly. You may assure yourself that /
shan't try to elude you again"
81 would / might be sure of that"
he said, ~steadying his voice and seek
ing her eyes.
Representation won't make it any
more assured"
He stepped up and settled himself
in the drivers seat, grasping throttle
and steering wheel; the great machine
thrilled to his touch like a live thing,
then began slowly to back out into
the road. For an instant it seemed to
hang palpitant on dead center, then
SHOT out like a hound unleashed. ven-
tre-a-terre-Brooklyn miles away owe
the hood.
1t seemed but a minute ere they
were laundering over the Myannis
bridge. A little further on Maitland
slowed down and, jumping out, lighted
the lamps. In the seat again-no
words had passed-he threw in the
high-speed clutch, and the world flung
behind them, roaring. Thereafter,
breathless, stunned by the frenzy of
speed, perforce silent, they bored on
through the night, crashing along de-
serted highways.
In the east a band Of pallid light
lifted up out of the night, and the
horizon took shape against it, stark
and black. Slowly, stealthily, the
formless dawn dusk spread over the
sleeping world; to the zenith the light
smitten stars reeled and died, and
houses, fields, and thoroughfares lay
car tore h%eadlong through the grim,
u%nlovely, silent hinterland of Long
Island City.
The gates of the f~erry-house were in
eXorably shut against them when at
last Maitland brought the big machine
to a tremulous and painting halt, like
that of an %overdriven thoroughbred.
And though they perforce endured a
wait of fully 10 minutes, neither found
aught worth saying; or else the words
wherewith fitly to clothe theiI thoughts
were denied them. The girl seemed very
weary, and sat with head dropping and
hands clasped idly in her lap. To
Maitland's hesitant query as to her
comfort she return a monosyllabic re-
assurance. He did not again venture
to disturb her; en- his own part he was
conscious of a clogging sense of ex-
haustion, of a drawn and haggard feel
ing about the eyes and temples; and
knew that he was keeping awake
automatically, his being already a
dcZe.
The fresh wind off the sullen river
served in some measure to revive
them, once the gates were opened and
the car had taken a place on the fer
ry-boat's forward extreme. Day vas
now full upon the world; above a hori-
zon belted with bright magenta, the
~cloudless sky was soft turquoise and
sapphire; and abruptly, while the big
unwieldy boat surged across the mar
row ribbon of green water, the u
shot up with a shout and turned to
an ~evanescent dream of fairy-land the
gaunt, rock-ribbed profile of Manhat-
tan island, bulking above them in tier
upon tier of monstrous buildings.
On the Manhattan side, in Difference
to the girls ~low-spoken wish Maitland
san the machine up to Second avenue,
turned north, and brought it to a stop
by the curb, a little north of Thirty
fifth street.
And now whither?" he inquired,
hands somewhat impatiently ready
upon the driving and steering gear.
The girl smiled family through her
veil. You have been most kind" she
told him in a tired voice. Thank you
-frCm my heart. Mr.. Anisty," and
made a move as If to relieve him of
his charge.
as that all?" he demanded. blankly.
Can | say more?" :.
II ! am to go no further
with your" Sick with disappointment.
he rose and dropped to the sidewalk
anticipating her affirmative answer.
IF you would please me-" said the
girl. you won't insist"
Il don't" he returned, ruefully.
'Rut are yor quit. aIrs that you're az
right newt