The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-03-03
CHAPTER lV.-Continued.

on The same mission. Maitland overcame
him.
CHAPTER iV.-Continued.
"You doubted me, after ALL" she
commented, trife bitterly.
"T-no! You misunderstood me
Believe me, I"
"Ah, don't protest. What does IT
make or mar, whether or not you
trusted me? You have" she
added, quietly, "the jewels safe
enough, suppose?"
He stopped short, aghast. II! The
jewels!"
81 slipped them in your coat pocket
before
Instantly her hand was free, Matt
land ramming both his own into the
side pockets of his top coat. They're
safe!"
She smiled uncertainty.
I'VE have no time," said she. "Can
you drive"
They were standing by the side of
her car, which had been cunningly hid
den in the gloom beneath a spreading
tree on the further side of the road.
Maitland, crestfallen, offered his hand /;
the tips of her fingers touched his
palm lightly as she jumped in. He hes.
ttated at the step.
you wish me to-"
She laughed lightly. Most assured
1y. You may assure yourself that
shan't try to elude you again"
Il would l might be sure of that,
he said, steadying his voice and seek
ing her eyes.
"Procrastination won't make it any
more assured"
He stepped up and settled himself
and steering wheel; the great machine
thrilled to his touch like live thing
then began slowly to back out into
the road. For an instant it seemed to
hang palpitant on dead center, then
shot out like a hound unleashed, ven
tre-a-terre-Brooklyn miles away over
the hood.
1t seemed but a minute ere they
were laundering over the Myannis
bridge A little further on Maitland
slowed down and, jumping out, lighted
the lamps. In the seat again-nC
words had passed-he threw in the
high-speed clutch, and the world flung
behind them, roaring. Thereafter
breathless, stunned by the frenzy OF
speed, perforce silent. they bored on
through the night, crashing along de-
serted highways.
In the east band of pallid light
lifted up out of the night, and the
horizon took shape against it, stark
and black. Slowly, stealthily, the
formless dawn dusk spread over the
sleeping world; to the zenith the light
smitten stars reeled and died, and
houses. fields, and thoroughfares lay
a-glimmer with ghostly twilight as the
car tore headlong through the grim
unlovely, silent hinterland of Long
Island City.
The gates of the ferry-house were in
exorably shut against them when al
last Maitland brought the big machine
to tremulous and painting halt, like
that of an overdriven thoroughbred
And though they perforce endured 9
wait Of fully Is minutes, neither found
aught worth saying; or else the words
wherewith fifty to clothe their thoughts
were denied them. The girl seemed very
weary, and sat with head dropping an6
hands clasped idly in her lap. Tt
Maitland's hesitant query as to hel
comfort she return monosyllabic re
assurance. He did not again venture
to disturb her; on his own part he was
conscious OF clOgging sense of ex
haustion, OF drawn and haggard feel
Ing about the eyes and temples; anC
knew that he was keeping awake
automatically. his being already a
doze.
The fresh wind off the sullen rivel
served in some measure to revive
them, once the gates were opened ant
the car had taken a place on the fer
ry-boats forward extreme. Day wa,
now full upon the world above a. hori
zon belted with bright magenta. tn,
cloudless sky was soft turquoise ant
sapphire; and abruptly, while the bi,
unwieldy boat surged across the mar
row ribbon of green water, the SUI
shot up with shout and turned I,
an evanescent dream of fairy-land tn,
gaunt, rock-ribbed profile of Manhat
tan island, bulking above them in tie
upon tier Of monstrous buildings.
On the Manhattan side, in deferenc,
to the girls low-spoken wish Nathan,
ran the machine up to Second avenue
turned north. and brought it to a sto,
by the curb, q little north of Thirty
NTH street.
And now whither?" he INQUIRED
hands somewhat impatiently read,
UDon the driving and steerine eaa-