The San Francisco call., 1909-01-10

IAdCc udI cast a SpCl1 OF Silence Ol
the knOcker, or else. outraged. had
smitten the noisy disturber with a
palsy.
The girl seemed TO know her way
whether guided by familiarity or in
tuition. she led on without hesitation.
skirkwood blundering in her wake. be-
tween confusion of impression and
dawning dismay conscious OF but one
tangible thing. to which he clung as
to his hope OF salvation: those firm.
friendly fingers that clasped his own.
1t was as II they wandered on for
an hour; probably from start to finish
their flight took up three minutes, no
more. Eventually the girl stopped. re-
leasing his hand He could hear her
syncopated breathing before him. and
gathered that something was wrong.
He took step forward.
What is it?''
Her full force broke out of the OBJ
scurity startlingIy close. in his very
ear
The dOor-the bOlts-I can't bulge
them
Let me =.
He pressed forward. brushing her
shoulder. She did not draw away. but
willingly yielded place TO his hands at
the fastenings, and what had proved
impossible TO her TO his strong fingers
was a matter OF comparative ease. Yet.
not entirely consciously. he was not
quick. AS he tugged at the bolts he
was poignantly sensitive TO the subtle
warmth of her at his side: he could
hear her soft dry sobs of excitement
and suspense. punetuating the quietS
and was frightened. absolutely. by an
Impulse. too strong for ridicule. to take
her in his arms and comfort her with
the assurance that. whatever her
trouble. he would stand by her and
~ 20
laugh it on; he gave over the en-
deavor. Even at this critical moment
he found himself repeating over and
over to his heart the question. can
this be love? Can this be love?
Could il be love at an hours ae-
quaintance? Absurd, But he could not
laugh-nOr render himself insensiDle TO
the suggestion.
He found that he had drawn the
bolts. The girl tugged and ratified
at the knob Reluctantly the door
opened inward Beyond its threshold
stretched 70 feet or more of covered
passa geway. whose entrance framed an
oblong giimmering with light a
draught of fresh air smote their faces
Behind them door banged
Where does this OPEN
ION the news" she informed him.
The news He stared in cOnsterna-
ton at the pallid oval that stood for
your evening gown. and T.
There's no other way We must
chance it. Are you afraid?
Afraid? He stepped aside.
She slipped by him and on He closed
the door. carefully removing the Key
and locking IL on the outside then
joined the girl at the entrance 70 the
news. where they paused perIorce'
she as much disconnected as ne.
his primary objection momentarliN
waxing in force as they surveyed the
conditions circumscribing their escape.
Quadrant News was busily engaged
in enjoying itself Night had 1alien
sultry and humid. and the wal.s anu
doorsteps were we'll fringed and clus-
tered with representatives OF that class
of London's population which infests
news through habit, taste, or force OF
circumstance
On the stOOps men sprawled at easy
length discussing short. foul cuttles
loaded with that rank and odoriferous
compound which. under the name ana
in the fame of tobacco, IS widely re-
tailed at tuppence the ounce. Their
women folk were more commonly
suuatted on the thresholds. cheerfully
squabbling; from opposing second
story windows two leaned perliOusly
forth. slanging one another across the
square briskly in the pureSt billings
from below by an audience whose ap-
probation seemed family tinged with
envy. Squawking and yelling children
swarmed over the flags and rude COB
blestOnes that paved the ways. Like
incense. heavy and pungent the rich
efiuvia of stable yards swirled in air
made visible by its faint burden OF
mist
over against the entrance wherein
Kfrkwood and the girl lurlSed. con-
founded BY the problem of escaping
undetected through this vivaeious
scene a stable door stood wide, expos
ing a dimly inumined interior Be-
fore il waited a fOur-wheeler. horse
already hitched in between the shafts.
while its driver. a man of leisurely
turn of mind. made lingering inspec-
ton of straps and buckles. and. while
Kirkwood watched him. turned atten-
tion to the carriage lamps
The match which he raked spiritedly
down his thigh fiared ruddily; the sue
ceeding paler glow of the lamp threw
into relief a heavy beefy mask. with
shining bosses for cheeks and nose
and chin: through narrow Sits two
cunning eyes glittered like dull gems.
Kirlzwood appraised him with atten-
ton. as one in whose gross carcass was
embodied their only hope Of unannOyed
return to the streets and normal sur
roundings Of their world The DIM
Guilty lay in attracting the mans atten-
tion and engaging him without arous-
ing his suspicious or bringing the popu-
lation about their ears Though he
hesitated long. no favorable oppor-
tunity presented itself; and in time the
Jehu approached the box with the os-
tensible purpose of mounting and driv-
ing on In this critical situation the
American, forced to recognize that
boldness must mark his course. took
the girls fate and his own in his hands.
and with a quick word to his COM
panion, stepped out OF hiding.
The cabby had a foot upon the step
when Kirkwood tapped his shoulder.
My man"
~Lor, lummew cried the fellow IN
amaze. pivoting on his heel. Cupidity
and quick understanding enlivened the
eyes which In two glances looked Kirk
wood up and down. comprehending at
once both his badly rumpled hat ard
patent-leather shoes '.S'help me-
thickly,-'-whered you drop from.
guvner2~
THAT'S my affair" said Kirkwood
briskly. Are you engaged?'
IF you mykes yerself my fare" re-
turned the cabby shreWdly Il ham,