The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-27
}y Louis Joseph Vance
pyrieht. 1908. BY the Bobbs-r -r1errill Co.

not quick. AS he tugged at the bolt
he was poignantly sensitive to th'
subtle warmth Of her at his side. Fl,
could hear her soft. dry sobs Of ex
citement and suspense punctuating thu
quiet and was frightened absolutel,
by an impulse. too strong for ridicuie
to take her In his arms and comfor
her with the assurance that. whatever
her trouble. he would stand by hel
and protect her. II were futile to try
to laugh 1t of. He gave over the en-
deavor. Even at this critical moment
he found himself repeating over and
over to his heart the question: Gar
this be love? Can this be loveT"
Could II be love at an hours ac
quaintauce? Absurd. But be could
not laugh nor render himself insensi
BILE TO the suggestion.
He found that he had drawn the
bolts. The girl tuggcd and ratified al
the knob. Reluctantly the door opened
inward Beyond its threshold stretched
ten feet or more Of covered passage
way whose entrance framed an oblon,
glimmering with light A draft Of
fresh air smote their faces. Behind
them door banged
Where does this openY'
"0n the news" she informed him.
The mewsw He stared In conster
nation at the pallid oval that stood fol
her face. The news. But you. ir
your evening gown. and r.
There's no other way. We mus
chance It. Are you afraidr
"Afraidr He stepped aside. She
slipped by him and on. He closed the
door. carefully removing the key and
locking II on the outside. then Joined
the girl At the entrance TO the news
where they paused perforce. she a:
much diconcerted as he. his primary
objection momentarily waxing In force
as they surveyed the conditions cir
cumscrfbing their escape.
Quadrant news was busfIy engaget
In enjoying itself. Night had faller
sultry and humid. and the walls and
doorsteps were wen fringed and clus
cred with representatives Of that class
Of London's population which infests
news through habit. taste or force OF
circumstance.
Over against the entrance wherein
Kirkwood and the girl iurked. con
founded by tho problem Of escaping
undetected through this vivacious
scene. stable door stood wide. expos
Ing dimly fliumined interior. Before
IL waited four wheeler. horse ALREADY
hitched In between the shafts. while
Its driver. man Of leisurely turn OF
mind. made lingering inspection OF
straps and buckles. and. while Kirk
kocd watched him. turned attention to
the carriage lamps.
The match which be raked spiritedly
down his thigh Jared ruddily. The
succeeding paler glow Of the lamp
threw into relief heavy beefy mask
with shining bosses for cheeks and
nose and chin. Through narrow slifs
two cunning eyes glittered like dull
gems. Kirkwood appraised him will
attention as one In whose gross car
cass was embodied their only hope Of
unannoyed return to the streets and
normal surroundings OF their world
The difficulty lay In attracting the
mans attention and engaging him
without arousing bis suspicious OF
bringing the population about theii
ears. Though he hesitated long. no IA.
vorable opportunity presented itself
and in time the jehu approached the
box with the ostensible purpose of
mounting and driving of. In this crit
ical situation the American. forced to
recognize that boldness must mark his
course. took the girls fate and his
own In his hands and. with n quick
word to bis companion. stepped out Of
hiding
The cabby had foot upon the step
when Kirkwocd tappsd his shoulder
-My man.
Luz iunufuet Cfieu tne feitoW 10
amaze. pivotlng on his heel Cupidity
and quick understanding enlivened the
eyes which In two glances looked Kirk.
wood up and down ..S'help me-"
thickly, "where'd you drop from. guv.
ner?"
That's my affair."" said Kirkwood
briskiy. "Arc you engaged?~
IF you mykcs yerself my fare" re.
turned the cabby shrcwdly. II ham,"
Ten shillings. then. II you get us
out Of here In one minute and to-say-
Hyde Park Corner In fifteen"
"Usr demanded the fellow aggres.
sively.
Kirkwood motioned toward the pas
sagcway. There's a lady with me-
there. Quick noww
Still the man did not move. "Ten
bob" he bargained, "an' you runnin'
awe with tn stury oil gents fair
darter7 Come now. gunner. is II gen.
'rous7 Myke Il q quid an'"-
"a pound then. VIII you hurryr
BY way Of answer the fellow scram.
blcd hastily up to the box and snatch.