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

What beautiful case"
In an instant It was in her hands.
Beautiful" she it,mtcd. inspecting
the delicate uaccry OF the monogram
enEravcr's art--hcad brndcd forward,
face shaded by the broad .brimmcd hat.
You like It? You would care to
own it," Anisty demanded, unsteadlly.
"I?' The infection of doubtful sur
prise was a delight to the ear. "Oh!
| couldn't think of accepting
Besides, have no use for IT,"
"Of course you aiur-are not that
sort" An hour back he could have
kicked himself for the grammatical
b'undcr; now he was wholly illudcd:
besides. she didn't seem to notice.
But as little token between us"
She drew back, pushing the case
across the cloth. II couldn't dream"
but If insist"
III you insist? why, | sup.
pose it's awfully good ot
YOU" She flashed him a maddcning
glance
You do mo pro-honor," he amend
ed hastily. Then, darngly: 81 don't
ask much in exchange. only"
"A cigarette She suggested
hastily.
He laughed, pleased and diverted
"Thatll be enough now you'll light
IL for me.
She glanced obviously round the now
almost deserted room; and II waiter
started forward as If animated by
spring. Anisty motiOncd him import.
ously back. eco on he CuaNcd; mo
one can see" Nnd watched battered.
the slim white fingers that extracted
match from the stand and drew 1t
swiftly down the prepared surface of
the box. holding the pickering flame
to the end of white tube whose tip
lay between lips curved, scarlet and
pouting.
"Therc," \ pale wrath of smoke
iloatod away ON the fdn.Churncd air,
| and Anisty was vaguely conscious Of
receiving the glowing cigarette from
a hand whose sheer perfection was but
| enhanced by the ripe curves of "A
rounded forearm He inhaled
deeply, with satisfaction.
Undecided 10y him, the girl swiftly
| passed furtiyc handkerchief across
| her lips. When he looked again she
was smiling and the golden case had
| disappeared
She shook her head at him in mock
reproval Bold mani" she called him;
but the crudity of it was lost upon him,
: as she had believed it would be. The
moment had come for vigorous meas.
ures. she felt, guile having paved the
way.
"Why do you call me that?"
"To appear so openly running the
gauntlet of the detectives"
"Eh ?"-startled.
"Of course you saw" she insisted.
Saw? No. Saw WHAT"
why. perhaps | am mis-.
taken, but | thought you knew and
tnsted to your likeness to Mr.. Matt
land"
Anisty frowned collecting himself
bewildered. What are you driving at
anyhow" he demanded, roughly.
Didn't you see the detectives?
should have thought your man would
have warned you. ! noticed four lott.
ing round the entrance, as ] came in.
and feared"
why didn't you tell me, them"
Il have just told you the reason.
supposed you were in your disguise
That's So" The alarmed express.
sion gradually faded, although he re.
NAMED troubled. Il sure am Maitland
u the life" he continued with salts
faction. Even the headwaiter-"
And of course" she insinuatcd, deli.
cltely, you have disposed of the
Loot"
He shook his head gloomily. "No
time, as yet"
Her dismay was evident. you don't
mean to say"
I'm my pocket"
"Oh!" She glanced stealthily
ound. "In your pocket" she whis
pered. "And-and If they stopped
you-"
Il am Maitland"
but if they insisted on searching
you. - She was rOund.eyed will
apprehension.
That's SOL" Her perturbation was
infectious. His jaw dropped.
They would find the jewels-knowr
to be stolen"
by Cod" he cried, savagely.
DAN"
"I-I beg your pardon. But
what am | to do? You are sure"
"McCmsky himself is on the nearest
corner!"
"Phew!" he whistled and stared a
her. searchingly, through a lengthen
ing pause.
Dan :" said she at length.
"Yes?"
There is way"
go on"
Last night, Dan"-she raised hel
glorious eyes to his-"last night,
! trusted you"
His face hardened ever so slightly
yet when he took thought the tense