The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1909-09-16

wrath that had made his face almost
unrecognizablo suhsidcd he oven
smiled. Aud the girl trcmhled, know.
ing that he had solved her secret for
she had hoped against hope that the
only words he could have heard her
speak would have had too cryptic q
significance for his comprehension.
As, slowly and CnmpCscdly. ne re-
placed the receiver ON its hook and
returned the instrument TO the desk,
short and ro,und figure Of a man. in
rumplcd evening dress and wearing n
wiltod collar. hoped cNcitcdly into the
room, cast at the girl one terrified
glance out Of eyes that glttCrcd with
excitement like black diamonds, set
in face the hue of yeast, and
clutchcd the burglars arm.
"Oh, Anis,N Anisty!" he cried.
pitcously. What is it? What is it?
Tell me-"
It's all right" returned the burglar.
Don't you worry. little man. Pull
yourself together And laughed.
but what" stammorcd the
other.
"Only that she's given herself away"
chucklcd AniaIy; beautifully aud
completely The brass bowl says she
thinking | never saw one ON Matt.
lands desk! and OIagan. and who
the divvlo are YOU says the man on
the other cnd of the wire. when ask
who he is
And? And?" pleaded the little
man, dancing with worry.
And it means that my lady here re-
turned the Jewels to Maitland by hid.
| ing them under brass ashrcCcivor on
his dcsk--ass that was not to know!
You are cute, my LADY, with an
ironic salute to the girl, but you've
met your match in Anisty."
And demanded the other as the
burglar snatchcd mp his hat and coat,
what will you do, Anisty?"
"Do?' - Cuntcmptuously. why.
what is there to do hut 90 and get
! them? We've riskcd too much and
made New York too hot for the two
of us, my dear sir, to get out of the
! game without the profits"
but beg of you
you notwithstanding. 1T won't
! bring you in any money"
q but Maitland"
rs ont. O1Iagan answered the
phone. Don't you understand"
but he may rcturn,"
| That's his lockout. I'm sorry for
him if he does" Anisty produced the
revolver from his pocket, and twirled
the cylinder significantly. II owe Mr..
! Maitland something" he said, noddng
! to the whit"EacCd girl by the table,
and ! shouldn't be sorry to"
And what broke in the new conner.
what am ! going to do meanwhile"
Devil the bit | care! Stay here
and keep this impctuous female from
calling up police headquarters, for Il
good guess. Speaking of which, | think
We had best settle this telephone bust.
ness once and for all"
The burglar turned again TO the
desk and began TO work over the in.
strument with a small screw-driver
which he produced from his coat
pocket, talking the while.
Our best plan. my dear Banner
man, is for You TO come with me, at
least as far as the nearest corner.
You can wait there, If you're too cow
ardly to go the limit, like a man. I'll
get the loot and join you, and we can
make a swift hike for the first train
that goes farthcst out of town. A pity,
for we've done pretty well, you and |,
old boy; You with your social entree
and bump of locality TO locate the
at. 4 IN
to lift 'em, and an equitable division.
oh, don't worry about her, Banner
man, She's as deep I'm it as either
of us, only she happens to be senti.
mental, and an outsider on this deal
She won't blab. Besides, you're
ruined anyway, as far as New York S
concerned. Come along. That's fin.
ished; she won't send any important
messages over that wire tonight, |
| guess.
My dear young LADY," Rising and
throwing the overcOat over his arm,
he waved his hat at her in sardonic
courtesy. Il can't say it has been a
pleasure TO know you, but-you have
made it interesting, admit. And |
bid you n very good night. The char
woman will let you out when she
comes to clean up in the morning.
Adieu, my dear"
The little man hustled after him.
bloating and fidgeting; and the lock
clicked.
She was alOne-utterly and forlorn-
~ alone-and had lOst-lost all, all
that she had priced and hoped to win,
! oycn-evon him.
She raised tuttering, impotcnt white
hands to her temples, trying to collect
herself.
In the outer room clock was tick.
ing. Unconsciously she moved to the
doorway and stood looking for a time
at the white, eXpressionless dial. 1t
was some time--a minute or two-be-
fore she deciphered the hour.
Ten minutes past two! An, the life.
time she had lived in the past 20