The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1909-07-22

marked only by the dull methodic tick.
inG Of the clock Qulcted: and at
length she mustered courage to move
from the door, against which she had
fattCnCd herself one hand clutching
the knob, ready to pull 1t open aud fly
upon the first aggressive sound.
In the interval her eyes had become
accustomed to the darkness. Tho
study door showed pale oblOng on
her right: to her left, and little to-
ward the rear Of the fiat, the door OF
Maitland's bed chamber stood ainr.
To this she tiptocd, standing upon the
threshold and listening with every
fiber of her being. No sounds as of
the regular respiration of II sleeper
warning her. she at length pcCrcd
stoalthily within; simultaneously she
pressed the button of an electric hand.
lamp. Its cirCumscribed blaze wavcrcd
over pillows and COuntCrpanC spotlcss
and undisturbCd
Then for the frat time she brcathed
freely, convinced that she had been
right In surmising that Maitland
would not return that night
Since carly evening she had watched
the house from the window of top
floor hall bedroom in the boarding
house opposite. shortly before seven
she had seen Maitland. stiff and
incorporating in rigorous even.
Ing dress, leave in II cab. Since
then only once had n light appeared in
hi. nt nhy hnI 80, L., Al,
ianitor had appeared In the study.
turning up the gas aud going To the
telephone. Whatever the nature of
the communication received, the girl
had taken 1t to indicate that Maitland
had decided to spend the night else
where: for the study light had
burned for some ten minutes, during
which the janitor could occasionally be
seen moving mysteriously about: and
something later, bearing suitcase.
he had left the house and shunlcd
rapidly eastward TO Madison avenue.
So she felt convinced that she had
all the small hours before her, secure
from Interruption And this time. she
told herself, she purposed making as.
SuldH'' uOuDlN sure.
But first to guard against discovery
from the street
Turning back through the hall. she
dispensed with the hand-amp, enter
ing the darkeued study. Here all win.
dOws had been closed and the outer
shades drawn-O'Iagan's last act be.
fore leaving with the suit-case-addi.
tional proof that Maitland was not ex.
pcct"d back that night. For the tenn
pcraiure was high. the air In the
closed room sitting.
Crossing to the windows. the girl
drew down the dark green inner
shades and closed the folding wooden
| shutters over them. And was CON
scious of deepened sense of security
Next going to the telephone. she re-
moved the receiver from the hook and
! let 1t hang at the full length of the
! cord. In the dead silence the small
voice of Central was clearly articu.
late: What number? Hello. what
umber?"-followed by the grumbling
of the armature as the operator tried
fruitleSsly to ring the disconnected
bell. The girl smiled family, aware
that there would now be no Interrupt
ton from an inopportune call.
There remained as n final precau-
ton only a grand tour of the fiat:
which she made eXpedltiously, passing
swiftly and noiselessly Zone contem.
plating midnight raids does not attire
mas Golf I'm cillyc nd To haI thinnoA
from room to room, all comfortably
empty. Satisfied at last, she found
herself again in the study, and now
boldly, mind at rest, lighted the brass
student lamp with the green shade,
which she discovered on the desk.
Standing, hands resting lightly on
hips, breath coming quickly, cheeks
flushed and eyes alight with some in
innate and inscrutable emotion, she
| surveyed the room. Out of the dusk
that lay beyond the plash of ilumina-
! ton beneath the lamp. the furniture
began TO take on familiar shapes; the
! divans, the heavy leather-cushioned
easy chairs, the tall clock with its pal
| lid staring face, the small tables and
tabourettes, handily disposed for the
reception of books and magazines and
pipes and glasses, the towering. old
fashioned mahogany book case, the
useless. ornamental, beautiful Chip
pendale escrtoire, in one corner; all
sOmberly Swallowed and all combining
to diffuse an impression of quiet, easy
going comfort.
Just such a study as he would natur-
ally have. She nodded silent approba-
| ton of ii as whole. And, nodding,
sat down at the desk, planting elbows
on It's polished surface. interlacing her
fingers and grading her chin upon
their backs, turned suddenly pensive
The mood held her but briefly. She
had no time to waste, and much to
accomplish. Sitting back
her fingers L-Lght and pressed the
clasp CT her handbag and produced
! two articles-a golden cigarette case
and slightly soiled canvas bag. The
/ Maitland Jewels were returning by