Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-06-16

Z,
find me. And. O'Hagan!" The janitor
fell back. Keep them at least an
hour" Maitland told him guardedly.
And say nothing"
The Irishman pledged his discretion
by a silent look. Maitland turned back
to the cabby.
you did me a good turn, just now,"
he began.
Don't mention 1t, sir; I've carried
you hoften before this evenin', and--ex-
cuse my sayin' SOL never 'ad fare
as tipped 'andsomer. It's a real pleas
ure, sir, to be of service"
Thank YOU" returned Maitland,
eying him in speculative wise. 81
wonder"
The man was rough, burly English
man of one of the most intelligent, If
not intellectual, kind; the British cab
)y, as type, has few superiors for
sheer quickneSs of wit and under
standing. This man had been sharp
ened and tempered by his contact
with American, conditions. His eyes
were shrewd, his face honest if wealth
er-beaten, his attitude respectful.
I've another use for you tonight"
Maitland decided, IF you are at lib
erty and-discreet?" The final word
was a question, flung over his shoul-
der as he turned toward the escritoire
"Yes, sir" said the man thought
fully. 81 allus can drive, sir, even
when I'm drinkin' 'ardest and can't
see nothink."
Yes? You've been drinking to-
night?" Maitland smiled quietly, stand
ing at the small writing-desk and ex-
tracing a roll OF bills from a con
cealed drawer.
I'm fair blind, sir"
Every we'll" Maitland turned and
extended his hand, and despite his
professed afliction, the cabbys eyes
bulged as he appreciated the size of
the bill.
my worrd!" he gasped, slowing it
away in the cavernous depths of a
trousers pocket.
You will wait outside" said Matt
laQd, until l come out or-or send
somebody for you to take wherever
directed. Oh, that's all right-not an
other world"
The door closed behind the over
whelmed nighthawk, and the latch
clicked loudly. For a space Maitland
stood in the hallway, troubled, appre-
hensive. heart strangely oppressed,
vision clouded by the memory of the
girl as he had seen her only a few
minutes since; as she had stood be-
meath the chandelier, after acting
upon her primary clear-headed impulse
to give her rescuer the aid of the
light.
He seemed to recall very clearly her
slight figure, swaying, a-quiver with
fright and solicitude-care for him!-
her face, sensitive and sweet beneath
its ruddy crown of hair, that of a
child waking from evil dreams, her
eyes seeking his with their dumb mes.
sage of appeal and of He
dared not name what else
Forlorn, pitiful. little figure! Odd il
seemed that he should fear to face her
again, alone, that he should linger re
luctant to cross the threshold of his
study, mistrustful and afraid alike OF
himself and of her-a thief.
For what should he say to her
other than the words that voiced the
hunger of his heart? Yet If he
spoke words such as those
TOTO thief what would be
the end of it all?
What did it matter? Surely he
who knew the world wherein he lived
and moved and had his being. knew
bitter well the worth of its verdcts
The world might go hang, for all he
cared. At least his life was his own
whether to make or to mar, and he
had not to answer for it to any power
this side of the gates of darkness
And If by any act of his the world
should be given man ~ad a woman in
exchange for thief v~A an idler, per
haps in the final reckoning his life
might not be accounted altogether
wasted.
He set back his shoulders and in.
spired deeply, eyes tightening; and
stepped into the study, resolved.
Miss" he called huskily; and
stopped, reminded that not yet did he
even know her name
1T is safe now," he amended, more
clearly and steadily, ito come out, If
you will"
He heard no response. The long
cleaning folds of the portieres hung
motionless. Still, a sharp and staccato
clatter of hoofs that had risen in the
street, might have drowned her voice.
IF you please-?" he said again,
loudly.
The silence sang sibilant In his
ears; and he grew conscious of a
sense of anxiety and fear sitting in
its intensity.
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