Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-06-26
CHAPTER V.-continued.


CHAPTER W.-Continued.
you doubted me, after ALL" she
commented, a trif1e bitterly.
'I-no, You misunderstood me.
Believe me, l.
"Ah, don't protest. What does it
make or mar, whether or not you
trusted me? You have" she
added, quietly, "the jewels safe
enough, suppose?"
He stopped short, aghast. "Ii The
1ewels,'
Il slipped them in your coat pocket
before"
Instantly her hand was free, Matt
land ramming both his own into the
side pockets of his top coat. They're
safe."
She smiled uncertainty.
I'VE have no time said she. Can
you drive"
They were standing by the side of
her car, which had been cunningly hid
den in the gloom beneath a spreading
tree on the further side of the road.
Maitland crestfal1en, offered his hand;
the tips of her fingers touched his
palm lightly as she jumped in. He hes
itated at the step.
You wish me to?"
She laughed lightly. Most assured
IL. You may assure yourself that
shan't try to elude you again"
81 would 1 might be sure of that"
he said steadying his voice and seek
ing her eyes.
Demonstration won't make it any
more assured"
He stepped up and settled himself
in the drivers seat, grasping throttle
and steering wheel; the great machine
thrilled to his touch like live thing,
then began slowly to back out into
the road. For an instant it seemed to
hang palpitant on dead center, then
shot out like hound unleashed, ven
extraordinarily miles away over
the hood.
1t seemed but a minute ere they
were laundering over the Myannis
bridge. A little further on Maitland
slowed down and, jumping out, lighted
the lamps. In the seat again-no
words had passed-he threw in the
high-speed clutch, and the world flung
behind them, roaring. Thereafter,
breathless, stunned by the frenzy of
speed, perforce silent, they bored on
through the night, crashing along de-
serted highways.
In the east band of pallid light
| lifted up out of the night, and the
| horizon took shape against it, stark
| and black. Slowly, stealthily, the
| formless dawn dusk spread over the
sleeping world; to the zenith the light
| sInitten stars reeled and died, and
| houses, fields, and thoroughfares lay
! a-glimmer with ghostly twilight as the
car tore headlong through the grim,
| unlovely, silent hinterland Of Long
Island City.
The gates of the ferry-house were in
| exorably shut against them when at
| last Maitland brought the big machine
to a tremulous and painting halt, like
that of an overdriven thoroughbred.
And though they perforce endured a
wait of fully Is minutes, neither found
aught worth saying; or else the words
wherewith fifty to clothe their thoughts
were denied them. The girl seemed very
| weary, and sat with head dropping and
hands clasped idly in her lap. To
Maitland's hesitant query as to her
comfort she return a monosyllabic re-
assurance. He did not again venture
to disturb her; on his own part he was
conscious of clogging sense of ex-
haustion, of a drawn and haggard feel
| ing about the eyes and temples; and
knew that he was keeping awake
automatically, his being already a.
doze.
The fresh wind of the sullen river
| served in some measure to revive
them, once the gates were opened and
the car had taken a place on the fer
ry-boat's forward extreme. Day was
now full upon the world; above a hori-
zon belted with bright magenta, the
cloudless sky was soft turquoise and
| sapphire; and abruptly, while the big
unwieldy boat surged across the mar
row ribbon of green water. the sun
shot up with shout and turned to
an evanescent dream of fairy-land the
gaunt. rock-ribbed profile of Manhat-
| tan island. bulking above them in tier
upon tier of monstrous buildings.
| On the Manhattan side, in Difference
| to the girls low-spoken wish Maitland
ran the machine up to Second avenue,
turned north, and brought it to a stop
by the curb. little north of Thirty
fifth street
And now whither7" he inquired,
hands somewhat irhpatiently ready
upon the driving and steering gear.