The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1909-09-03

THE dOOf--the bolts-l cant Duoss
them"
let me-"
He pressed forward. brushing her
shoulder. She did not draw away. but
willingly yielded place 70 his hands at
the fastenlngs, and what had proved
impossible 20 her 20 his strong 6ngeFs
was a matter Of comparative ease.
Yet, not entirely consciously, be was
not quick. As be tugged at the bolts
be was poignantly sensitive TO the
subtle warmth Of her az bis side. he
could hear her soft dry sobs Of eK-
element and suspense punctuating the
quiet and was frightened absolutely
By an impulse, too strong for ridicule'
10 take her 70 his arms and comfort
her with the assurance that, whatever
Der trouble, he would stand By her
and protect her. II were futile 10 try
10 laugh Il of. lie gave over the en-.
deavOF Even at this critical moment
be found himself repeating over and
over 70 his heart the question: "Can
this be lover Can this be lover
Could II be love at an hours &C.
quaintancef Absurd But be could
not laugh nor render himself insensi-
bic 10 the suggestion.
He found that he had drawn the
bolts. The girl tugged and ratified at
the knob. Reluctantly the door opened
inward. Beyond It's threshold stretched
ten feet or more Of covered passage
way whose entrance framed an oblong
Rlimmering with light A draft Of
fresh air Bmote their faces Behind
them a door banged.
where does this open3"
ION the news" she Informed him.
"The mewaF Tie stared IN conster.
nation at the pallid oval that stood for
her face THE mewsl But you, in
your evening gown. and -
There's no other way. We must
chance II. Are you afraidT
"Afraid1" He stepped aside. She
slipped by him and on. lie closed the
door. carefully removing the key and
locking II on the outside. then Joined
tho girl at the entrance 20 the news
where they paused peFfOrce. she az
much dicOncerted as be. bis primary
objection momeutarily waxing In force
a. they surveyed the conditions CIR
eumscribing their escape.
Quadrant mows 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 Eondon's population which infests
news through habit. taste or force Of
circumstance.
over against the entrance wherein
Kirkwood and the glri lurkcd, con.
founded by the problem Of escaping
undetected through this vivacious
scene. q stable door stood wide, expos
ing a dimiy illumined interior Before
II waited a four wheeler. horse already
hitched In between the shafts, while
its driver, 4 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 he raked spiritedly
down bis thigh dared ruddily. The
succeeding palsr glow OF the lamp
threw into relief a heavy beefy mask
with shining bosses for cheeks and
nose and chin. Through narrow sllta
two cunning eyes giittered like dpll
gems. KlrkwoOd appraised him with
attention 90 one IN whose gross ear.
caHs was embodied their only hope OF
unannoyed return to the streets and
normal surroundings Of their world.
The dlficulty lay IN attracting the
mans attention and engaging him
without arousing his suspicious or
bringing the population about their
ears. Though he hesitatod long. no "a
vOrable opportunity presented itself,
and IN time the jehu approached the
box with the ostensible purpose OF
mounting and driving on. In this crit.
Zeal situation the American. forced 20
recognise that boldness must mark bis
course. took the girls fate and bis
own IN biz hands and. with a quick
word 10 his companion. stepped out Of
hiding.
The eabby had a foot upon the step
when Kirkwocd tapped bis shoulder.
my man
~Lor, hummer cried the fellow IN
amaso. Divotlng on biz heel Cupidity
and quick understanding onllvened the
syea which In two giancsa looked Kirt-
wood % and down "B'help ne"