Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-19

4cHAPTF,R v-Continuedo

" - ~ ". y y
4CHAPTER v-Continuedl
Over against the entrance wherein
Kirkwood and the girl lurl1ed, con
founded by the problem of escaping
undetected through this vivacous
scene. a stable door stood wide ex-
posing a dimly illumined interior. Be
| fore it waited a four wheeler, horse
already llitched in between the shafts.
while it's driver. man of lelsurely
turn of mind, made lingering lnspec-
ton of straps and buckles. and, while
Kirkwood watched him, turned atten-
ton TO the carriage lamps.
The match which he ral1ed spirited
~ down his thigh, fared ruddily: the
succeeding paler glow OF the lamp
threw into relief a heavy beetN mask
with shining bosses for cheeks ana
nose and chin; through narrow sllts
two cunning eyes glittered like dull
gems. Kirkwood appraised him WITH
attention. as one in whose gross car
cass was embodied their only hope OF
nnsnnoyed return TO the streets and
normal surroundings of their world,
Tho difficulty lay in attracting the
mans attention and engaging hlm
without arousing his suspicious or
bringing the population about then
cars. Though he hesitated long. no
farorable opportunity presented Itself !;
and In time the Jehu approached the
box with the ostensible purpose of
mounting and driving off In this crit
ical situation the American. forced to
recognize that holiness mush mark
his course, took the girls fate and his
own in his hands, and with quick
word TO his companion, stepped OUT OF
hiding.
The cabby had foot upon the step
when Kirkwood tapped his shoulder
MY man
Tor. ]umme,t cried The fellow in
amaze, pivoting on his heel Cupidity
and quick understanding enlivened the
ewes which in two glances looked
kirkwood UP and down, comprehend
ing at once both his badly rumpled
hat and patent-lesther shoes, "S'help
!. me, '--thickly--" whercd YOU drop
from. gunner
That's my affair" said Kirkwood
briskly. "Are you engaged?'
IF you mylies yerself my fare" re,
turned the cabby shrewdly. Il ham.
Ten shillings. then. if you get US
out of here in one minute and to =
say--Hyde Park corner in fifteen"
"Us?" demanded the follow aggres
rively.
Kirkwood motioned toward the pas
sageway. There's a lady With me
there. Quick now"
Still the man did not move. Tel
bob" he bargained; an You run
min awe with tn stuffy ol gents
fair darter? Come now, gunner, is il
GENEROUS? Myke it quid an"
"A pound then. Will you hurry"
BY way of answer the fellow scram
bled hastily up to the box and snatch
ed at the reins. ok! Gee-e hup!'
he cried generously.
BY now the news had Weakened t.
the fact of the presence of "toff'' II
It's midst. His light topped coat ant
silk hat rendered him as CONSPICUOUS
as a red Indian in war-paint woult
have been on Rotten Row. A cry o
surprise was raised, and drowned in {
volley of ribald inquiry and chaff
Fortunately the cabby was instan
to rein in skillfully before the pas
SageWdy nelOre me lOur-Wheeler STOP
ped. The girl, hugging her cloal
about her, broke cover (whereat tht
hue and cry redoubled). and sprans
into the body of the vehicle. Kirk
wood followed. shutting the door. A.
the cab lurched forward he leaned
aver and drew down the window
shade shielding the girl from half ;
hundred prying eyes. At the SAM
time they gathered momentum. bang
ing swiftly if loudly out of the news
An urchin, leaping on the step t.
spy in kirkwood's window, fell of
yelping as the drivers whip-lash cur
ed about his shanks.
The gloom of the tunnel inclose
them briefly ere the lights of the Hog
in-the- Pound flashed by and the wheel
began TO roll more easily. Kirllwoo
drew back with a sigh of relief
Thank God!'' he said softly.
The girl had no words.
Worried by her silence, solicitor
lest, the strain ended she might b
on the point Of fainting, he let UP tn
shade and lowered the window at he
side.