The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-08-13
COPYRIGHT 1909

II 90" ne muttered. WHAT are you going
to do about itiD sa
Rawdin seemed but slightly annoyed at the
refusal. I'm sorry" he said; II didn't
think you'd be 50 foolish, Really, Mr. Car
ter, you drive me to extreme measures. | am
very sorry-not for you, but for the lady"
"You wouldn't shoot me-" Carter said.
,"You wouldn't dare.o q
Rawdin looked him fairly IN the eyes.
nNo,r he said; 81 wouldn't kill you, II
that's what you mean. but I'd certainly wing
you" 49, ....
into his bedroom. Don't try to move
either Of you" he commanded. "I'l be back
in no time" With the revolver still pointing
at Carter, Rawdin opened the door, and
leaving it opened disappeared in the bed
room.
"Quickl" Carter said TO Miss Forsythe,
"Let's t,ke a chance" But the girl, with
her pret,. face gone very pale. sat motionless
staring at the open door. Carter an to her
side, but before he could arouse her Rawdin
had returned.
:" was cutting the telephone wire," he said
pleasantly. "Now I'm going away from
here for little time, but hope to return very
soon. Pm sorry to force such an unfortunate
position on girl, especially one once called
friend, but you have both made it necessary.
! am going to lock you in my apartment,
There is drop Of some thirty feet from the
bedroom windows, and the neighboring build
ings are usually unoccuped at this hour.
You will note by the clock on the desk that it
is already past midnight most
imprudent hour for young lady to be diseov-
cred in a bachelor apartment with young
man. If you should call for help it win
surely raise row, and the people who come TO
strange story than are the people who live In
the apartment hotel across the street should
you opeL these windows ard raise cry. |
am taking the key Of this door which leads to
the hallway, as well as that Of the stree; door,
with me; so far as can see, there is no posi-
bic way ior you to escape without breaking
your young necks or creating most distressing
scandal. Don't worry about me, as shall
ask Charles the chauffeur to let me share your
automobile with him When you have de-
cided to sign that paper, you might pull back
the curtains OF one OF the windows OF this
room and raise the shade Then when see
the light | will understand that you are willing
to accept my terms"
Rawdin had been gradually backing to-
ward the door leading into the hallway, and
as he finished speaking he quickly let himself
out and the door shut with sharp click
behind him.
For few moments there was silence, while
the two young people stared into each others
eyes. Then Carter slowly took of his over
coat, threw it across chair and leisurely
crossed the room to buffet that stood in the
corner.
I'm very sorry" he stammered. "You
see, Miss Forsythe, have known you for SO
short time" She drew her pretty red lips
into straight line and shook her head
Whatever may have been her birth or her
early training, she appeared just then to Car
ter as the highest type OF the high h-bred, most
carefully nurtured American girl The mel
low glow from the fireplace fell on the soft
masses OF brown hair, worn high over the
clear broad forehead, on the pink and white
cheeks, the slightly retrousse nose, the delicate
nostrils, the ivory throat and neck, and the
bare shoulders.
Miss Forsythe pressed her lips into a
straight line and slightly shrugged heI
shoulders. Carter suddenly Strengthened
himself, and, leaning over the table, lookel
the girl fairly in the eyes.
81 have an idea" he said. 1T may not be
very brilliant thought, but | think it would
help matters little Let's be engaged-iIl
up story with Rawdin that we came here lol
little unconventional supper to celebrate tn,
event II anyone ever does learn OF our being
here, il will not look so badly can call on
your father tomorrow morning and oficisll,
ask for your hand, saving that you have Goa
sented You can make the engagement! jus
as public as you wish, and then, whenever 20.
desire it, you can throw me over"
Again Miss Forsythe shrugged her shoul
ders-this time, as ii by wa c consent.
"Under the circumstances, Carter said
"Ithink we might now call your friend Raw
din"
Miss Forsythe inclined her head, and Car
ter pulled back the curtains and ran up tht
shade to the full heigh. of the window. A
favy moments later Rawdin LET himself in thf
door and stood smiling at his enforced guests
In few words Carter told him Of the engage
ment they had made and asked him il, hs
would uphold them in the story Of the supper
party.
"Of course will" Rawdin consented
that is il you sign the paper about the rob
berry. Besides, in way, you did come her'
to supper, although meager one, and no
vary e.,eeassful | fear fralu anvnne,s xfa nj