Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-08-12

only captain forsythe and-Mr.
steele"
Did he notice the slightest hesitation
on her part before speaking the last
name: My lords eyes fell an odd
expression appeared ON his face.
As the door closed behind her young
mistress a maid CAME quickly forward.
did you learn anything more. Miss
Jocelyn, If may be so bold as to ask.
from tie police agent? Who the GRIM
inal was or
1.-THE police agent only said he was
an escaped convict, no ordinary one,
who had escaped from London and
was making for the sea. They got
word he was at the village and fol-
lowed him there. but he managed to
elude them. and they traced him to
Strathorn House park. where he had
taken refuge. The police did not &C.
quaint Sir Charles, Lord Ronsdale or
any one with their purpose. thinking
not to alarm us needlessly beforehand.
And l believe that is ALL
A moment the woman waited. a.
Shall u
The girl looked before her. Tiny
flames from the crate heightened the
sheen ON her gown. They threw pass
ing lights on the somewhat tired. proud
face. Il shall not need you. Dobson."
she said. You may CO. A moment"
The woman. who had half turned.
waited. Jocelyp's glance had lowered
to the fire. In its reflection her slim.
delicate fingers were rosy. She un-
clasped them and smoothed the bro
cade absently with one hand. Zone or
two are leaving early tomorrow. You
will see-you will give instructions
that everything is provided for their
comfort"
The maid responded and left the
room. A faint shout from somewhere
in the gardens. far OF. aroused Joce-
lyn. The girl looked around. but i'm
mediately silence again reigned. She
| got up
Again the sound. This time she
placed 1.-THE creaking of the giant
branch of ivy that ran up and around
her own balcony. The girl paused IT.
resolutely. her hand on the heavy. an.
cient hanging. Leaning forward. she
waited. but the noise stopped. She
heard nothing more. told herself 1t
was nothing and was about to move
out again when her gaze was suddenly
held by something that passed like a
shadOw-a mans arm-On the other
side Of the nearest window. between
the modern French curtains. not quite
drawn together. The window opened
wider. noiselessly. but quickly. Then
a hand. strong. shapely. pushed the
curtains aside. The intruder acted as
one certain Of his ground. now draw.
ing the window draperies quickly to-
| gether behind him as II seeking to
escape observation from any one BE-
low. He stepped out into the room.
Did the intruder hear sound, a
quick breath: His gaze swerved to
the opposite end of the room. where II
saw IL living presence. For moment
they looked at each other The mans
face turned very pale: his hand touch
ed the back Of n chair: BE- stendied him.
self.
Il thought-tO enter armory hail.
Did not know your rooms were here"
lie managed to say In a low tone, lat
this corner Ut StrathOrn House
She did not answer. so they stood
silently. absurdly. The man had to
speak first. He pulled himself togeth-
er. The bad fortune that had logged
him SO long. that he had fought against
SO hard. now found its elimination. 1t
had cast him of all places at her feet
So be 1t. Well destiny now could
harm him little more.
II had hoped you would never know.
but the gods. 1t seems"-he could even
laugh-"have ordained otherwise. 'Fata
DISTANT"
He stopped. A suggestion of pain
crept into her expression. But the
laugh returned to his lips, the luster to
his eyes.
"A good many people have their
pasts. Can you imagine what mine
may have been"
She seemed to stand In a hateful
dream. Looking at him-the torn even.
ing clothes. his face. pale. different
Listening to him-to what?
"A convictr' said the man. "Yes.
that's what was. Had been 10 jails-
jails! And was sent out OF the coun.
try years ago-transported. But time
went by, and the convict thought be
might safely come back boldly. with
impunity. The years and circum-
stances had altered him, wrought great
changes. He felt compelled to return
why is of no moment-believed him
self secure In 50 doing and was until
chance led him out Of his accustomed
way-to new walks, new faces. where
lay the danger, the ambush, into which
he who thought himself strong like
weak fool walked or was led blindly."
The blue eyes bent like stars now on
this man in her room standing before
her with bold, hooking face a. II bis
dark eyes read. understood every
thought that passed through her brain.
You! Then 1t was you-John Steele
that they
1.-THE convict they tried to arrest?
Yes"
you? DON'T Her voice was
almost childlike.
Il will help you to-understand!"
An ashen shade came over his face.
The man paused. There was q
strange CLEAN in the dark eyes that
fingered on her. Its light was sue
ceeded by another. a fercer express
sion. For the first time she moved.
shrank back slightly. I'm afraid I
used a few of them roughly" he said
with look derisory. There was no
time for soft talk. It was cut and
run-give leg ball. as the thieves
say" Did he purposely relapse into
coarser words to clincE home TIE
whole damning. detestable truth?
But 1t was a close call out there IN
the garden. They were before the
convict in the woods. He must needs