The newspaper. (Paonia, Colo.) 1904-1910, 1909-03-05

hands found his throat, fingers sinking
deep into flesh as he bore the fellow
backward.
A match fiared noiselessly and the
gas blazed overhead. A cry of aston
ishment choked in his throaat as he
recognized his own features duplicated
in the face of the man whose throat he
was slowly and relentlessly construct
ing. Anisty, He had not thought OF
him or connected him with the sounds
that had thrilled and alarmed him over
the telephone wire coming out OF the
void and blackness Of night. Indeed.
he had hardly thought any coherent
thing about the matter. The ring Of
the girls MOI" had startled him. and
he had somehow thought, vaguely.
thatO'Hagan had surprised her in the
fiat. But more than that
He glanced swiftly aside at the girl
standing still beneath the chandelier.
the match in one hand burning to-
ward her finger tips. in the other An
isty's revolver. Their eyes met. and
in hers the light OF gladness leaped
and fell like living flame. then died.
to be replaced by a look OF entreaty
and prayer so moving that his heart
in its unselfish chivalry went out to
her
Who or what she was. howsoever
damning the evidence against her. he
would believe against belief. shield her
to the end at whatever hazard to him
self. whatever cost to his fortunes.
Love is unreasoning and unreasonable
even when unrecognized.
His senses seemed to vibrate with
redoubled activity, to become abnor-
mally acute. For the first time he was
conscious OF the imperative clamor of
the electric bell in o'Hagan's quarters.
as well as OF the janitor's rich brogue
voicing his indignation as he opened
the basement door and prepared to as
cend. Instantly the cause of the dis
turbance flashed upon him
His strange hold on Anisty relaxed.
he released the man. and. brows
knitted with the concentration OF his
thoughts. he stepped back and over to
the girl. lifting her hand and gently
taking the revolver from her fingers.
Below. o'Hagan was parleyins
through the closed door with the late
callers. Maitland could have blessed
his hot-headed Irish stupidity for the
delay he was causing.
Already Anisty was on his feet
again. blind with rage and crouching
as IL ready TO spring. only restrained
by the sight OF his own revolver.
steady and threatening in Maitland's
hand.
For the least part Of a second the
young man hesitated. choosing he
way. Then. resolved. In accents of
determination: Stand up. you hound"
he cried. Back TO the wall there,-
and thrust the weapon under the burg
lars nose.
The move gained instant obedience.
Mr.. Anisty could not reasonably hest
tate In the face OF such odds.
And you" Maitland continued over
his shoulder to the girl without rcmov
ing his attention from the burglar. into
the alcove there a once And not n
word. not a whisper. not a sound until
| call you"
She gave him one frightened and
piteous glance. then. unquestioning.
slipped quietly behind the portieres.
To Anisty. again: Turn your peck
cts OUT" commanded Maitland.
Quick. you fool The police are be
low: your freedom depends ON your
haste"
Anistys hands few TO his pockets,
emptying their contents on the Soor
Maitland's eyes sought In vain the
shape of the canvas bag. But time