The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1909-07-08


the expense, Maitland pays" OF
which fact the weight in his pocket
was assurance
Maitland. Anisty's thoughts
vergcd off upon an interesting tan
gent What was Maitlaud's motive in
arranging this meeting? 1t was self
evident that the twain were of one
word--the girl and the man of fash.
len. But whatever her right Of her.
itagC. she had renowned 1t. dcClassing
herself by yielding to thiCvish in.
stincts, voluntarily placing herself on
tie level of Anisty. Where she must
remain. for ever
There was comfort in that reflection.
He glanced up to find her eyes bent in
gravity upon him. She. too, II ap-
pearcd, had fallen prey to revcric.
Upon what subject? IN absorbing
one. doubtless, since 1t held her alb
stractcd despite her companions di.
rect. uncquiyocally admlring stare.
The odd light was pickering again In
the CraCksman's glacc. She was then
more beautiful than aught that ever
he had dreamed Of. Such hair as was
hers, woven seemingly Of dull flames,
lambert. witching, And cycs-bcauti-
FIJI always, but mover more SO than at
this moment. when filled with swcetly
pCnsivo contemplation Was
she reviewing the last 81 hours, dream
ing of what had passed between her
and that silly fool, Maitland? If only
AuiSty could surmisc what they had
said to each other. how long they had
| been acquainted; If only she would
give him hint. "A leading word!
! If he could have read her mind, have
| seen behind the film Of thought that
| cloudcd her eyes, one fears Mr.. Anisty
/ might have lost appetite for an excel
| lent luncheon.
| For she was studying his hands her
! memory barking back To the moment
when she had stood beside the safe,
| holding the bull's.oye.
In the blacknoss of that hour q disk
! OF light shone ont luridly against the
| tapestry of memory. Within its radius
! appeared two hands, long, supple,
| strong. Immediately white, graceful
! ard doXterOus, as delicate of contour
as wUman's, yet lacking nothing of
masculine vigOr and modelling; hands
! that wavCrCd against the blackncSs.
fumbling with the shining nickeled
disk of a combination lock.
The impression had been and re-
manned one extraordinarily vivid
Could her eyes have deceived her so?
"Thoughtful?"
She nodded alcrtly. instantaneously
mistress of self; and let her gaze
serious yet half smiling, lingcr upon
his the exact fractional shade of an in
slant longer than had been, perhaps
discreet. Then lashes dropped long
upon her cheeks, and her color deep
ened all but imperceptibly.
The mans breath halted, then came
a trace more rapidly than before. He
bent forward impulsiyely. The
girl sighed, ever so gently.
Il was thoughtful. It's al
so strange. you know"
His attitude was an eager question
Il mean our mccting-that way, las
night" She held his gaze again, mo
mentarily, and
Damn the waiter!" quoth savagoly
Mr.. Anisty to his inner man, sitting
back to facilitate the service of theil
neal.
The girl plaCatcd him with an insig
n!ticant remark which led both into &
maze of meaningless but infinitely Iii
v"rtin% inCOnscqupuCcs; diycrting, al
least, To Anisty. who held up his head
giving her back look for look. jest ful
jest, plalitudc for plaItudc (when the
waiter was within hearing distance)
very creditaby.
AS for the girl, in the course of tho
next half or throc-quarters Of an hOul
she demonstrated herself conclusively
person of amazing resource. de
vaIoping with admirable ingenuity {
campaign planned on the spur Of {
chance observation. The gentle man
ncred and selfsulIicient crook was
taken captive before he realized It
however willing he may have been
Enmeshcd in a hundred uncompre
hended subtleties, he basked, purring
the while she insinuated herself be
meath his guard and stripped him o
his entire armament of cunning, vigi
lance, invention, suspicion, and dis
trust.
He relnquished them without t;
sigh barely conscious of the spolia
ton. After ALL she was of his trade
herself mred with guilt; she woult
never dare betray him, the conse
quences to herself would be so dire.
Besides, observation-disclosures too mucl
so-she admired him. He was he
hero. Had she not more than hinteC
that such was the case, that his ex
ample. his exploits, had fired her t
emulation-howeve weakly feminine
He saw her before him, dainty
alluring, yielding, yet leading him on
altogether desirable. And so long haI
he, Anisty, starved for affection!
Il am sure you must be dying for ;
smoke"
beg pardon" He awOke abruptly