The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-11-25

had OWNED so clearly the motive that
had permitted Anisty's escape In or
der that she might be saved. not alone
from Anisty, not alone from the shame
% imprisonment but from herself as
well--from herself as Maitland knew
her. The burglar out OF the way, by
ruse, evasion. or subterfuge she would
be secreted from the prying OF the po-
lice, smuggled out Of the house aud
taken TO a place OF safety. given a
new chance 10 redeem herself. to clean
her hands OF the miro ~ theft. TO be-
come worthy OF the womanhood that
was hers.
But now---she thrust finger-nalls
cruelty into her soft palms. striving
TO contain herself and keep her tongue
from crying aloud 20 those three
brutal. blind men the truth; that she
was guilty OF the robbery. she with
Anisty; that Maitland was Maitland:
word synonymous With man Of
| honor"
In the beginning. indeed. all that re
strained her from doing so was her
knowledge that Maitland would be
more panied by her sacrifice than glad
dened or relieved. He was so sure OF
clearing himself. II was In
conceivable to her that there could be
men so stupid aud crassly unobscrv-
ant as to be able to confuse the iden-
tity OF the two men for a single In.
slant. What though they did resemble
each other in form and featureg The
likeness went no deeper: below the
surface. and rising through Il with
every word and look and gesture, lay
n worldwide gulf OF difference In
every shade OF thought. feeiiag. and
instinct.
She herself could never again be de-
ceived-no. never, Not for a second
could she mistake the one for the
other. What we're they saylng 1,
The turmoil OF her indignation sub
sided as she listened. breathlessly. to
Maitlands story OF his adventures;
and the joy that leaped In her for bis
frank mendacity in supprcssing every
incident that involved her. was all but
oyerpowering She could have wept
for sheer happiness. and at later
time she would: but not now. when
everything depended on her maintain
ing the very silence Of death.
How dared they doubt him. The
insolents, The crude british insol.
cnce OF theml Her anger RACED high
again and as swiftly was
| Quenched. extinguishod in n twinkling
| BY terror born OF her excitement and
a bare suggestion thrown out B.,
| Hickey.
| ." explalnin' how n crook Ike
Anlsty made three tries in one day
TO steal some Jewels and didn't get
'em. Where were they. all this time'"
Maitland's cool rctort was lost upon
her. What natter7 II they dlsbc
lieved him. persisted in calling him
Anisty. In natural course they would
undertake TO search the Dat. And u
she were found. Oh. she must
spare him that She had given him
cause for suffering enough. She must
get away. and that instantly. before
From a distance. tomorrow
|
she could communicate with him.
Al this juncture orHagan entered
with his parcel The rustic OF the
paper as he brushed against The door
lamb was in itself a hint 10 mind
keyed 20 the highest pitch Of excite
ment and seeking a way OF escape
from a position conceived TO be peril
Gus. In a trice the girl had turned
and sped. llghtfooted. TO the door open
ing on the private hall.
Here, hating for a brief reconnais
sance. she determined that her plan
was feasible, II hazardous. She rar
the risk OF encountering some one
ascending the stairs from the ground
floor: but II she were cautious and
quick she could turn back In time. Or
the other hand, the men whom she
most feared were thoroughly occupied
with their differences. dead to all save
that which was happening within the
rooms four walls. A curtain huns
perhaps a third OF the way across the
study door, tempering the light in the
hall; and the broad shoulders OF the
cabby INSTRUCTED the remainder Of the
opening
II was a chance. She poised herself
on tlptoe, half undecided. and-th'
rustling OF paper as o'Hagan opened
the parcel afforded her an opportunit,
to escape. by drowning the noise o.
her movements.
For two eternal seconds she wal
edging stealthily down toward thu
outer door; then. in no time at all
found herself on the landing and
confronted by fresh complication
one unforeseen how 10 leave th'
house without being observed
stopped, and perhaps detained unit
too late! There would be men at th'
door, beyond doubt: possibly police
stationed there to arrest all person.
attempting to leave.
No time for weighing chances. TIT
choice OF two alternatives lay befor'