Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-12

authorities will catch him and lock him
up again before that time. They are prob
ably hot on his trail / felt quite certain
that l should not close my eyes all night
the night was full of dreams. and my
new acquaintance figured in all Of them
in some strange fashion.
Edith" Early was saying to me when
] opened my eyes. i've been thinking
about that dreadful affair last night, and
i believe we ought to telegraph to Clara
that he has escaped, and was here. I'm
sure she would want to know about it;
there is no telling what may happen.
l hadn't thought of it before, but could
see that Early was right.
I'm go downtown right after break
fast l said, land buy myself belt, and
send the telegram. And do keep the
house locked, and try. to take care OF
yourself until I get back"
1 had discovered that We were only two
blocks from the street car line. and l
judged that il / took car I would
eventually get downtown. l had no
trouble at all in finding my way about.
In twenty minutes 1 had found a store
and made my purchase. Then 1 stepped
into an Office to send the telegram.
1 expended a good deal of care upon
its wording. for l did not want to alarm
Clara unnecessarily. Then l reached into
my handbag after my purse, but it WASH t
there. l remembered, then, woman had
stood very close to my elbow at the
counter where 1 paid for my belt. and
jostled my arm little as l opened my
shopping bag: and / felt certain that she
must have taken it. 1t was no great loss,
but I couldn't pay for sending the tele-
gram. OF course. / could have sent 1t
collect, but l didn't like to do that. So L
concluded to make the best of it, and let
the telegram go till afternoon. Then L
commenced to debate how to get home
again.
l didn't even have 5 cents to pay my
car fare. and it seemed out of the ques-
tior to walk SO far. especially as l knew
I should get lost. Il guess there's moth
ing for it, / said except another cab.
Then I can pay for it when 1 get to the
house..
Some of the cabmen in sight looked
good natured, and they all looked as
though they probably abused their horses:
so, after comparing their villainous ply
siognomies, l picked out the worst look
ing one of the lot.
'314 Mellison.' I said. as 1 climbed
in.
Then what did he do but lean down
and commence saying: "Mellison
street? 314 MelliSon street?-Or Melli
son avenue?'
My jaw dropped. and for a long time
I stared at him as if l had been turned
to stone: it seemed to me an hour. An
inspiration ana a mighty resolve ldSneu
upon me.
"MellisOn avenue" l said.
Off we went, not at all in the same
direction as yesterday, and not nearly
SO far. only eight or ten blocks. He
drew up in a quiet little street before
a pretty cottage.
The shades were drawn. the house
looked empty, the door mat lay large
and square upon the porch.
(Which is northeast?' l demanded Of
the cabman as l got out. He told me,
with a look of amaZement.
II want you to walt here few min.
utes." I said and ran up the steps.
I rang the bell. No one answered;
did not expect any one to. l lifted the
corner of the door mat: there lay the
key. I fitted it into the lock and en-
tered the vestibule. Dainty, simple,
modest in its appointments; this was
what I had expected 1 put my head
into the parlor and my own picture
gazed mockingly at me from the man
telpiece. With hysterical laugh. I
fed through the house to the kitchen
tempting odors assailed my nostrils;
the shelves were full Of dainties. 1
rushed out, locked the door, and re-
placed the key.
Now" said to the cabman. who re-
garded me with suspicion. not unmixed
with apprehension, take me to 314
MellisOn street,
1 was completely stunned, and before
I recovered myself we were at that
awful house.
II want you to wait again." 1 said,
tumbling out of the cab, for about
fifteen minutes. Then l want you to