The San Francisco call., 1910-02-27

with hands at the side of the ladder dropping with
palms the second floor landing He caught hs
next ladder just revolver barked above and he
heard the sharp spat bullet on the railing
beside him. He went down the second ladder with
small regard for hands or clothing Swinging to
the last thankful even in that tense moment for his
foresight in placing it. he glanced upward secone
while he slid to the ground Two figures filed the
open window and he looked alternate splashes Of
red fame shot at him, Al the he threw
himself against the cellar door he felt sharp twinee
of pain in his shoulder
Through the dark toward the front he staggered.
falling twice. Out the basement steps he stayed
a moment to see that the still safe. then
dashed westward Faint shoutings sounded from
the rear. A light flashed the first floor. AT the
far side of Lexington avenue he turned to catch
glimpse of numbering figure running from Third
avenue. He hurried on, turned north and slowed
to a walk when beyond all danger of pursuit
His own rooms were far away and he let
himself in with fingers so scored and lacerated that
they could scarcely hold the key. He found that
the bullet had glanced lightly along his shoulder
blade. inficting nothing but scratch Then he took
out the black poeketbooI 1t contained several
folded papers and envelopes. One of these, well
from much handling, addressed in a grace
fu hand to Jerry Coskar. The nclosure signed
Marion Keith"
The next afternoon he was once more the road
to the little Keith cottage, riding OF Champneys
bays this time, and more he telling himself
that it that the girl could not stir him, but
that he would let himself be stirred. The calm
hight of reason, that very valuable assured him
that he had acted precpitately and without due
siderton of the consequences, but promised him that
he might be forgiven if he stopped right where he
with the affair He yielded the point reason,
and meanwhile spurred his horse.
TRIcKED
b;r, Io,o he1Ore reacbed +be crate of
the short drive and was there him, cool and
satisfying in a simple white dress. The something
that would not be the slave 10 reason within him
thrilled to warmth at the sight of her. He swept
off his cap, smiling and without word of explana-
tion held the letter out to her She caught it with
startled cry, staring from the paper to his face in
wonder.
'Mr. Carteret, how did you do it?" she breathed
Perhaps needn't go into that" he answered.
lightly. by the way" he went on, coming for want
of better material question that had puzzled him
all the way out on the train, why it that-they-
should have taken just this time put their plan
execution And there's another queer thing Miss
Keith. Why should they have thought that you
would, or could, pay them? confess l don't quite
see it"
She drew back from him little with trouble in her
eyes Then. you have not heard? thought you
knew"
Heard? what9"
That to be engaged"
Good Lord To whom?
ITO Mr. Osterman"
He gared a moment then brought clenched fist
down the pommel of his saddle This, then, was
what he had his risk for, to clear away the
obstacle that had threatened her marriage He saw
all clearly. Osterman of the wealthiest
in New York, twice widower thrice the girls age
1t was her mother who had engineered the affair of
course. Mrs Keith would have difficulty in recog-
nzing the desirablity of upholsering ancient and
threadbare with generous son in law. She
had chosen Osterman probably because she could
drive hard bargain with him and because he was
old.
The girl had tricked him, played with himl The
letter would have been fatal and he weakened by
that warmth in his heart, had been the dupe At
the thought he thrust a hand His fingers closed
the letter She gave him mechanically con-
fused by the look his face Ready and insistent
there leaped into his brain the possibilities that lay
in this little note. He could it, first of ALL to
smash the arrangement with Osterman 1t gave him.
moreover, hold on Marion Keith if he used it
clever1y.
But he had forgotten the strange sympathy that
lay between himself and this woman while wild
thoughts were forming behind his frown-thoughts
that went hand in hand with the upspringng flames
in his breast. She bridged the gap at a step.
Il glad you have it," she said, with direct
glance. Nov you know why was not sure yester-
day that wanted to send them any at ALL
"You mean
Before it was they who we're going to prevent it,
and it is you who will"
Dismay swept upon him like sheet of icy spray.
While she spoke he saw again what had warned him
before, awakening, fash in her eyes, the signal
Ambition flooded back and the cold light of reason.
Marion Keith had no money nor the prospect of any.
He was still far from that unquestioned social emf
nence toward which his slow, careful efforts had
steadily pushed him. Union with the honored name
of Keith would not aid him. He would be nothing
but beggary adventurer in the eyes of the world he
lived for All his calm power of judgment all his
intuitive power OF analysis awoke, alert keen to aid
him out of the position his fol1v had led him into