The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-07-30
Half a !.
Chance
By FREDERIC S. ISHAM.
Author Of 1.-THE Shollers.' - ''Un.
der the Rose" 1.-THE Lady
Of the Mount" Etc.
Copyright, 1909, by tho Bobbs-
Merrill Company.
CONTINUED
CHAPTER XII.

moved toward the tnreSnOlQ.
~YesY All the color had left her
face. "What-what is it?"
"Don't mean to alarm you. my dear.
but Mr. Gillett thinks the convict
might be concealing himself some
where in the house; indeed. that it Is
quite likely. So we are making little
tour Of inspection"
H." she seemed to catch her breath
ut Is really quite unnecessary. have
been through them myself"
Might have known that!' with an
attempt at jocoseness. But thought
we would make sure. Good night,
then" They went.
The man in the room stood motion
less now, his face like that Of statue
save for the light and life Of his eyes.
1.-The other way would have been
preferable" he said.
what we're you'-she hesitated.
emphasized oversharply the word
transported for?"
What does it matter2"
True! What did it matter to her?
He had been in prisons before, by his
own words.
Your name. Of course, is not John
Steele? What was it,
He looked at her-beyond. to
storm tossed ship, golden haired
child, her curls in disorder, moving
with difficulty, yet clinging so stead
tasty to a small cage! His name?
1t may be he heard again the loud
pounding and knocking; held her once
more to his breast, felt the condding,
soft arms.
"What does it matterT' he repeated.
She spoke mechanically. when
you found yourself recognized. why
did you come hereto Strathorn
iHouse-incur the danger?"
"Why?" He still continued to look
straight before him. Because you
were here!'
'I?' she trembled.
"Oh. you need not fear! quickly.
''sYouw bitter smile crossed his face.
"And nowy' his voice sounded harsh,
tense, and he stepped toward the bal
cony.
His words. the abrupt action. what
1t portended, aroused her.
"No, nor The exclamation broke
from her 1nvoluntarily. '"There-there
may be a safer way! Wait!' Bright
spots of color now tinted her cheeks.
She went quickly toward the door she
had left. She listened, turned the key,
then, opening the door, stepped hastily
out into the hall.
Whatever her purpose, only the de-
sire to act quickly. to have done with
an intolerable situation, moved him.
Once more he looked toward the win
dow through which he had entered.
First, however, before going, he be-
thought himself of something-an an
,swer to one of her questions. She
should find the answer after he was
gone. His fingers thrust themselves
into breast pocket. He took out a
small object wrapped in velvet. An
instant his eyes rested upon it; then,
STOPPING, he picked up the bit of lace
handkerchief from the floor and, lay
ing the dark velvet against it, placed
the two on the table.
Would she understandable debt he
had felt he owed her long before to-
night, that sense of obligation to the
child who had reached out her hand
in a different life. different world
No. She had of course forgotten. Still,
he would leave it, that talisman so
precious, which he had cherished al
most supershtiously.
When a few minutes later the girl
hastily re-entered the room she carried
on her arm a mans coat and hat. Her
appearance was feverish, her eyes
wide and shining.
"Your clothes are torn-would at.
tract attention! These were on the
rack. l don't know whose, but stole
them-stole themr'
She spoke quickly, with a little,
hard note Of self mockery. Her voice
broke suddenly. She looked about her
The coat and hat slipped from her
arm. She looked at the window. The
curtain still moved as II a hand had
but recently touched it. She stared at
It incredulously. He had gone. he
would have none of her assistance
then; preferred She listened, but
caught only the rustiing Of the heavy
silk.
She became aware Of a throbbing In
her head, dull pain, and, mechanical
ly seating herself near one Of the ia.
bles, she put up her hand and started
to draw the pins from her hair, but
soon desisted- Again she began to
think, more clearly this time, more
Il potgnantly, of all she had experienced
listened to, that night. r'
She, a Wray, sprung from long line
Of proud, nlustrious folk! And he;
4 The breath Of the roses outside was
waited upward. Her eyes, deep, sell
scoft1ng, rested without seeing on q
small dark object on a handkerchief
on the table. What was it to her II
they took him-what, indeed? Her fin
gers played with the object, closed
y hard on it. Why should she care Il
q be paid the penalty-he. self con