The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-05-03
Virgins Of the
Air Lanes ,, ,. ? s;'; ;:! & Quick
Author of
Double Trouble"

ed. The sense of escape and sec
recy which she had associated with
him from their first curious meet
ing at the robbers cabin in the
dunes, returned.
"My robber," said she, in hall
whisper. 20, I'm SO glad"
Psyche" said he, when you
say 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 dash.
ed to pieces!" she cried. Eve
seen you falling, falling, falling. in
my dreams, and never alighting!
But evidently you did"
eyes," said he, quite safe! But
how came you here?"
ooh, / live here" said she. "But
how did you know? Or did you
just happen? Shall l hide you!
I'll never betray you, never! nc
matter what they say you've
done."
"You-belong-here?" repeated
Theodore wonderingly. Here
You-you live here?"
"Yes," said she hurriedly. with
my uncle. I couldn't endure the
Shaynes and Silberbergs any long
er. Why, they way they did just
drives people to crime! And il
you did anything, it was in open
war with the officers, and not by
stealth as the Shaynes and SLIDER
bergs do. l told them so to their
teeth-only you ought to reform
and all that, you know. And
couldn't bear Aunt Marie any
MORE" here the voice trembled
though everybody will say I'm un
grateful, and all that. And General
Carson's family are all my rela
tives in the world, except the
Shaynes. And this is their planta
tion--my uncle that I never saw
lives here-and l came to him.
hope he won't hate me! I'd rather
not have to ask him to shelter 8
robber the very first thing; and sc
you aren't pursued. But If you are
I'll hide you before I'll see you
caught. THERE"
Mr.. Carson reeled back against
the wall, drew his hands across his
eyes, and looked again. She seem
ed to be there still, rather nearer
than before, hands clasped in ador
able anxiety, divinest pity in hel
eyes.
81 am in no danger" said he
Pardon me for intruding here. II
was by mistake. Permit me to ASK
the honor of an interview at q
more convenient time and place"
Mr.. Carson of CarsOn's Landing
the last of the Carsons, now spoke
with some approach to manner
and form as by tradition required
"Oh, Pm so glad you are-are
safe" she cried. 81 want you to
stay to luncheon. I can't give you
any quail broth, nor strong rene
dies, but
THANK you," he returned. 81
shall esteem it an honor"
This was nearer to the conven
tional than anything yet. She gath
cred her gown about her throat
looked about at the room--and
blushed. Luncheon with this girl
faced boy with the jetty mustache
|-compliments-they did not har
monize with the trunks spilline
lingerie, the white cOunterpaned
bed.
perhaps" she went on, 'if you
really aren't afraid of being caught
you might go away, now-to the
parlor, I mean."
Carson turned scarlet. bowed
grandly, and walked toward the
door.
And" said she, blushing still
more rosily, "if you are quite sure
you don't mind-please leave me-
my corset"
Mr. Carson looked down at his
hand, saw with unspeakable horror
that he had held, during the. whole
colloquy. the Pysche mold, dropped
it hastily, and rushed incontinently
from the room in an agony of mine
quite out of proportion to the rea
damage done by his involuntary
act. He did not run and drown
himself in Fish river, but when he
tried to divine what Virginia's
theory as to his purpose in taking
possession Of the garment in the
first place must be, he felt like do
ling so rather than meeting her a.
luncheon. 1t was terrible situa
ton. ,o...,, ,o,on.ou>