Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-06-23

to the cabman, her fright Of that un.
speakable and incorporeal menace
hooded her Consciousness like a great
wave, sweeping her-metaphorically-
Oh her feet And indeed, for the time.
she felt as if drowning, overwhelmed
IN vast waters. sinking. sinking into
the black abyss of syncope.
Then. as a drowning person-we're
told-clutches at straws, she grasped
again at the vibrations of his voice.
What was he saying?
You will wait outside, please, until
| come out or send somebody, whom
you will take wherever directed. ;"
-SpeakiHg to the cabman, think
ing OF her, providing for her escape!
Considerate and foresighted as al
ways! How she could have thanked
him! The warmth of gratitude that
enveloped her almost unnerved her;
she was put to it to restrain her i'm.
pulse to rush down the stairs and
But no; she must not risk the
chance of rebuff. How could she fore.
tell what was in his mind and heart,
how probe the depths of his feeling
toward her? Perhaps he would re-
ceive her protestations in skeptic spir.
It, Heaven knew he had cause to!
Dared she =. To be repulsed! :.
But no. He had provided this means
for flight; she would advantage her
self of 1t and and thank him
by letter. Best so; for he must ever
think the worst of her; she could
never undeceive him-pride restrain
ing and upholding her.
Better so; she would go. go quickly
before he discovered her absence from
the fiat. -.
And incontincntly she swung about
and flew down the stairs, silently
treading as lightly on the heavily
padded steps as though she had been
thistledown whirled adrift by the
wind, altogether needless of the
creeping terror she had sensed on the
upper flight, careless of all save hei
immediate need to reach that cab De
fore Maitland should discover that she
had escaped.
The door was inst closing behint
the cabby as she reached the bottom
step; and she paused considering tha
it were best to wait a moment, a
least, lest he should be surprised a
the quickness with which his employ
er found work for him; paused and OF
some mysterious impulse half turned
glancing back up the stairs.
Not thought too soon; another In
stant's hesitation and she had beer
caught, Some one-a man-was de
scending; and rapidly. Maitland
Even in her brief glance she saw tn,
white shield of shirt bosom CLEAN
dull against the shadows. Maitlan,
was in evening dress. Could it b.
possible =?
No time now for conjecture, tim
now only for action. She sprang 70
the door, had it open in trice, ant
before the cabby was really en-
throned upon his lofty box, the gir
was on the step, fair troubled fac,
upturned to him in wild entreaty.
Hurry" she cried, distracted
Drive off, at once! Please-oh
pleased"
Seizing reins and whip, he jerket
the startled animal between the shafts
out of its abstraction and
81 say, cabby. One moment"
The cabman turned; the figure OIL
the stoop of the house was undoubted
| ly Maitland s-Maitland as he had jus
seen him, with the addition of hat
AS he looked the man was at th'
wheel, clambering in.
Changed my mind-Tm cominI
along. cabby," he said cheerfully
Drive us to the st. Luke building
please and-hurry!
| "Yessir!"
ITO RE CONTINIrED