The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-02-17
90.
ln WhIeh oppertunItr 60.


ding swiftly as ] realized what the
message Of this card plainly meant.
and contemplated the social gulf
yawEing between myself and this
woman OF the English a~ristocracy. A
cat may look az a king. and o South
American udveuturer might venture to
gaze admiringiy upon this beautiful
gentlvwomuu, yet yaulting ambition
should have a care lest Il o'erleau
itself. on. well. 81 was not much ! had
20 overcome-merely an impression. a
fugitive admiration which would early
perish. Tor g. was hardly probable we
should ever meet again. in spite OF his
!ordshirs sur Invitation. and her ex-
ceedins warm Elarce secretly sec
ending e.
] smiled grizzly az thought Of so in.
sane a dream of love az such a time
and place Here was J. alone. unable
90 change my environment every
movement briuging new danger. al.
most certain Of early detection, the
result imprisonment or death. yet
turning aside 90 quarrel with one only
too glad 90 deuouuCe me should be dis
cover tho truth. and totally forgetting
every caution In sudden admiration for
"a girl never seen before. probably
never 10 be seen again. But a smile
can leave q deeper wound thar a
sword. and my mind would recuT. In
spite Of other Intervening thoughts,
20 the pleasant mystery behind her
gracious words and action. ! was thus
lingering oycr the nuts and vine,
dreaming r. fools dream. and idly woD
deHng 81 The cause Of that endless
racket 10 the streets below. with the
chorus Of yivas arising from tho
crowded plazN when the open win
Cow facing my table became suddenly
darkCncd by o burly figure. Before
Irould push back my chair. the unwel-
come intruder on MY privacy was 20
Itsly bowling before ne. one hand
pressed upon his heart
Pardon. senior. my 90 abrupt ap.
pearance-and / cared c%uriously into
"a round. bron1ed face. guarded by
closely clipped sidc-vhiskcu and o.
lumincd by steady black eycs-"but
the waiter said ! should certainly ind
you alone here, and my need vas most
urgent address the senior Vest
n was the name I had assumed. and
with closely pressed lips ! bowed Ia
silent acknowledgment % my identity.
feeling little doubt about the mans
mission. Tho round. rather oompla.
sent face broke into a genial smile OF
rrllfe.
Must fortunate ! am thus 90 dis
coves goa with such facility be con.
iinucd nuentiy. using both hands In
gtsuculatiou "senor. 20 ~ now a
greet favor I would ask Could you
yield me the honor o. a private iator
view 10 my own room pointing up
var imrrossiVcly II 10 upon tho
floor above"
n yogf mission IS In regard 70 the
sanchez aGair. scnor, returned
somewhat coldiy. privacy is hardly
necessary Tho preliminary details
can all be arranged here
lie gaEcl ai nae Ga surprise, rub
bling hla hands together swiftly
The sanchos amairl know q as
10 that. senior. The matter on which
! como il most delicate. most secret;
q o. not for other ears "ris because
OF what I would communicate that /
seek private audience.
remained motioulcss. looking
straight az him. my teeth clvnchnd on
nay cigar. my mind busy With cxpcdi
onts II his call had nothing whatever
10 DO with my quarrel with Sanchez Il
must be- an arrest Yet why was the
fellow so mysteriopa2 what dld he
require OF me IN private a~udlencc2 All
a bride. probably De toslred Go learn
FIRST what amount I would give Tor
an opportunity Go escape, I o Co
my feot. the whole anair settled with.
In my own mind. and cool enough 10
take advantage OF every opcniug thus
presented
"vcy wen, sonor: lead the way
and I viii follow,
"nueno'" lie laid one hand upon
my shoulder his eyes darkoning With
delight "You have the courage, senior.
the audacity OF tho brave soul ris
In the face. the eye. and gives me
hope OF my missioR already. We viii
go by the outside stairway, 80 as 20 be
unohserved by those within"
I followed him silently up the steep
iron steps n along the narrow, dim.
" lighted hall Ho paused finally, an.
iockiug a door, and stood politely
aside while I ontered A moment he
fingered outside. poeTinE suspioiousb
an and down tho deserted hallway,