The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-03-05

Exempted from her VI rit of dispos-
session. She famed herself
quite vigorously; and then, as II
Istill oppressed by the heat. she
stepped to the mirror, unpinned
the brooch at her throat-and
began reaching back for the but
tons of her dress. Providential
instinct, and memory of his own
days of roundabouts and shirt
waists, admonished Theodore that
| it was time for action.
"Psyche!" he stammered.
With little scream she darted
toward the door; recognized him
as he emerged from the closet;
noted his paleness; turned back,
her hand on her breast, and al
quick paipitation in the ''V' of her
gown, like the heart of a shared
robin. Yet she was the least ex-
cited of the twain. Her alarm
ceased with her recognition of
him; for this DO" had shown
himself one to be trusted. The
sense of escape and secrecy which
she had associated with him from
their first curious meeting at the
robbers cabin in the dunes
returned.
my robber," said she, in a half
Whisper. 80, I'm so glad"
| Psyche" said he, when you
lsay you are glad"
He pulled up short with a lump
in his throat. unable to pass the
Rubicon between strangers.
| "Oh. I'm so glad you aren't
dashed to pieces!" she cried. 1--WE
lseen you falling, falling, falling,
in my dreams, and never alight-
ing! But evidently you did"
| YES" said he, quite safe, But
how came you here?"
| "Oh, l live here" said she.
But how did you know? Or did
you just happen? Shall l hide
you? IL never betray you, never!
no matter what they say you've
!done!"
i 'You---belong-here?" repeat
led Theodore wonderingly. Here?
You-you live hcre?''
YES" said she hurriedly.
with my uncle. / couldn't en-
ldure the Shaynes and Silberhergs
any longer. Why, the way they
did just drives people to crime!
And if you did anything, it was
in open war with the officers. and
not by stealth as the Shaynes and
Silberbergs do. / told them so to
their teeth-only you ought to
: reform and all that, you know.
And l couldn't bear Aunt Marie
any more" here the voice trem-
bled. though everybody will say
I'm ungrateful, and all that. And
J General Carson's family are all
| my relatives in the world, except
the Shaynes. And this is their
; plantation-my uncle that / never
/ saw lives here and I came to
J him. l hope he won't hate me!
I'd rather not have to ask him to
shelter a robber the very first
thing; and so l hope you aren't
pursued. But If you are, I'll hide
you before I'll sea you caush
lThere!"
Mr.. Carson reeled back against
the wall, drew his hands across his
leyes. and looked again. She SEEM
ed to be there still, rather nearer
than before, hands clasped in anor-
able anxiety, divinest pity in her
!. leyes.
II am in no danger" said he.
Pardon me for intruding here.
1t was by mistake. Permit me to
|, ASK the honor of an interview at a
more convenient time and place.
Il Mr.. Carson of Carson's Landing,
the last of the Carsons, now spoke
l|-with some approach to manner
} and form as by tradition re-
, Iquired.
d "Oh, I'm so glad you are-are
lsafe," she cried. 81 want you to
, lstay to luncheon. can't give you
any quail broth. nor strong reme-
dies, but"
THANK you" he returned. 81
shall esteem it an honor"
This was nearer to the conven-
, tionai than anything yet. She
!, gathered her gown about her
throat, looked about at the room
and blushed. Luncheon with
this girl-faced boy with the jetty
mustache-compliInents-they did
not harmonic with the trunks
splitting lingerie, the white coun-
terpaned bed.
RI Perhaps" she went on, eff you
really aren't afraid of being
caught-you might go away, now
Ito the parlor, l mean"
Carson turned scarlet, bowed
grandly. and walked toward the
|, ldoor.
Il And" said she. blushing still
more rosily, "if you are quite sure
, you don't mind-please leave me
my corset"
i Continued Monday