The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-12-14
CHAPTER xxW.-continued.

house Is ransaca-d by t..e police.
CHAPTER xxVl.-continued.
He drew chair near the lamp and
lighted a cigarette. and for time We
Were silent l was in the shadow. and
l sat back and watched him. II was
not surprising. l thought. that she
cared Tor him: women had always
loved him. perhaps because he al
ways loved them. There was NO dis
loyalty In the thought: it WAS the
lads nature TO give and crave affec
ton. Only was different. l had
never really cared about girl be-
fcrs. and my life had been singularly
ioveless. had fought 4 lonely bat
Il. always. Once before. in college
We had both laid ourselves and our
callOw devutionS at the feet Of the
SAME girl. Her name was Dorothy
| had forgotten the rest-but I re-
membered the sequel. In spirit OF
quiXOt;c youth had relinquished my
claim in favor OF Richey and had
gone chperfu!ly on my way. elevated
by my heroic sacrifice TO sOmber
white-hot martyrdom. As Is often the
case. Meningitis first words showed
our parallel lines oil thought
Il say. LOliie." he asked. do you re
member Dorothy Browne? B-r-O-w-n-e'
That was it,"
Dorothy Browne" repeated. "Oh
why yes. l recall her now. Why"
Nothing" he said. Il was think.
ing about her. That's all You re.
member you We're crazy about her.
and dropped back because she pre-
fer-ed me-"
Il got out" said with dignity. be.
cause you declared you would shoot
yourself If she didn't so with you to
something or other
oh. why yes. recall now" he
mimicked. lie tossed his cigarette
in the general direction of the hearth
ard go; up. We were both u little
conscious. and he stood with his back
to me. lingering i Japanese vase On
the mantel
Il was thinking" he began. turning
the vase around. that. il you feel
pretty well again. and-and ready to
take hold. that l should like to 60
away for 4 week or 50. Things are
fairly we'll cleaned up at the Office
DO you mean--yOu are going to
Richmond" l asked. after 4 scarcely
perceptibl- pause He turned and
faced me. with his hands thrust in
his pockets.
No. That's of. LOllie. The
Sciber.s are going FOR 4 weeks cruise
along the coast. the hot weather
has played bob with RE and the cruise
means seven days breeze and bridge"
lighted cigarette and offered
him the box. but he refused. lie was
looking haggard and suddenly tired
| could not think OF anything to say.
ard neither could he evidently. The
matter between US lay too deep for
speech.
"HOw's Candida" he asked.
Martin says a month. and She will
BE- ell right" returned. in the same
tone. lie picked up his hat. but, he
had something more to say. He
blurted it out. finally. half way to the
door.
The Seiberts are not going for a
couple oil days." he said. land II you
want a day Or SO OF 10 go down to
Richmond yourself
Perhaps l SHALL" returned. as in
differently as could. Not going yet.
are you?"
Yes. 1t is late" He drew in his
breath as II he had something more
to say. but the impulse passed. Well.
good night" he said from the door
way.
Good Night. old man"
The next moment the outer door
slammed ard heard the engine oil
the Cannorball throbbing in the
street. Then the quiet settled down
around me again. and there in the
lamplight | dreamed dreams. | was
going to see her.
Suddenly the idea of being shut
away. even temporarily. from 50 great
and wonderful a world became intOl-
cradle. The possibility Of arrest be-
fore could get to Richmond was
hideous. the night without end.
made my escape the next morn
ing through the stable back OF the
house. and then. by devious dark and
winding ways. to the Office. There.
after a conference with Blobs, whose
features fairly jerked with excite
ment. l double-locked the door of my
private Office and finished on some
imperative work. BY ten o'clock i
was free. and for the twentieth time
I consulted my train schedule. At
i've minutes after ten. with Mcknight
not yet In sight. BlObs knocked at the
door. the double rap We had agreed
upon. and on being admitted slipped
In and quietly closed the door behind
him. His eyes were glistening with
excitement. and a purple dab Of type
writer ink gave him a peculiarly viii
famous and stealthy expression.
ssThov'ea horo ho oaid stro ~