Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1910-12-10
CHAPTER IV.-continued.

your name," she again demanded
1 told her the first one that came to
my npsI do not remember what.
did not deceive her for a moment.
"Of course that is not your name"
she said; because it does not fit you
You have me still at disadvantage"
And me, madam? You are taking
me miles out of my way. How can
help you? Do you perhaps wish to
hunt mushrooms in the Georgetown
woods when morning comes? l wish
that 1 might join you, but 1 fear
You mock me-" she retorted. very
good. Let me tell you it was not your
personal charm which attracted me
when | saw you on the pavement!
Twas because you were the only man
in sight
l bowed my thanks. For a moment
nothing was heard save the steady
patter of hoofs on the ragged pave
ment. At length she went on.
81 am alone. 1 have been followed.
1 was followed when 1 called to you
by another carriage. I asked help of the
first gentleman 1 saw, having heard
that Americans are all gentlemen"
True" said L; 81 do not blame you.
Neither do 1 blame the occupant of
the other carriage for following you"
81 pray you. leave aside such clat-
teri" she exclaimed.
Very we'll, then, madam. Perhaps
the best way is for us to be more
straightforward If l cannot be OF
service 1 beg you to let me descend.
for 1 have business which 1 must ex-
ecute tonight
She dismissed this with an impa-
tiRnt gesture and continued
See, am alone" she said Come
with me. Show me my way-I will
pay will pay anything in reason"
Actually 1 saw her tumble at her
purse, and the hot blood flew to my
| forehead.
What you ask of me, madam, is
impossible" said l, with what cour-
tesy 1 could summon. You oblige
me now to tell my real name. 1 have
! told you that 1 am an American gen
tleman-Mr. Nicholas Trist. We of
this country do not offer our services
to ladies for the sake of pay. But
| do not be troubled over any mistake
| it is nothing. Now, you have per-
haps had some little adventure in
which you do not wish to be discover
ed. In any case, you ask me to shake
off that carriage which follows US. If
that is all, madam, 1t very easily can
| be arranged"
| Hasten, then" she said 'I leave
it to you. 1 was sure you knew the
city"
1 turned and gazed back through
the rear window of the carriage. True,
| there was another vehicle following
US. We were by this time nearly at
the end of Washington's limited pave
r. he 81 MI hof
l leaned out and gave our driver some
brief orders. We led our chase across
the valley creeks on up the George
town hills, and soon as possible
abandoned the last of the pavement
and took to the turf. where the sound
| of our wheels was dulled. Rapidly as
we could we passed on up the hill, our
going, which was all of earth or soft
turf, now well wetted by the rain.
| When at last we reached a point near
the summit of the hill 1 stopped to
listen. Hearing nothing, 1 told the
driver to pull down the hill by the
side street. and to drive slowly. When
we finally came into our main street
again at the foot OF the Georgetown
hills, not far from the little creek
which divided that settlement from
the main city. I could hear nowhere
any SOUND OF our purSuer.
Madam" said. turning to her, 81
think we may safely say we are alone
What, now. is your wish?"
"Home!" she said
And where Is homer
She looked at me keenly for a time
as though to read some thought which
perhaps she saw suggested either in
, the tone of my voice or in some
glimpse she might have caught of my
features as light afforded For the
moment she made no answer.
rs it here?" suddenly 1 asked her
presenting to her inspection the sealed
missive which 1 bore
Il cannot see; it is quite dark" she
said hurriedly.
Pardon me, then" 1 fumbled fol-
my case of lucifers. and made a faint
light by which she might read. She
pursed her lips and shook her head.
Il do not recognize the address,
said she. smiling. as she turned to
ward me.
rs it at this door on NJ street, a.
you go beyond this other street,"
asked her. "Come-thinki'