Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-07-07

wooden frames. There were three
heavily upholstered leather arm-chairs
and one revolving desk-chair; a roll
top desk, against the partition wall.
waste-paper basket, and fiat-topped
desk, or table. And that was all.
Or not quite all, else the Office equip
ment had not been complete. There
was the telephone.
But he would hear! Or was the par
tition sound-proof?
AS If in contradiction of the sugges.
tion, there came to her ears very clear
ly the sound of the hall door creaking
on it's hinges, and then a mans voice,
shrill with anger and anxiety.
you fool! Do you want to ruin
us both? What do you mean"
The door crashed to, interrupting
the protest and drowning Anisty's
reply.
81 was passing" the new voice took
up its plaintive remonstrance, "and
the watchman called me in and said
that you were telephoning for me-"
Damn the interfering fool" inter-
rupted Anisty.
But what's this insanity Anisty?
What's this about woman? What"
The newcomers tones ascended high
scale of fright and rage.
Lower your voice, you asst" the
burglar responded, sternly. And"
He took his own advice; and for a
little time the conference was con.
Quoted in guarded tones that did not
penetrate the dividing wall save as
deep rumbling alternating with an i'm
passioned squeak
But long ere this had come to pass
the girl was risking all at the tele-
phone. Receiver to ear she was i'm.
ploring central to connect her with
Ninety -eight-nine Madison. If only she
might get Maitland, tell him where the
jewels were hidden, warn him to re-
move them-then she could escape
further suffering by open confession.
What NUMBER came centrals Ian
guild query, after a space. Did you
say nine-ought-nine-eight?"
mo, no, central. Nine-o-eight-nine
Madison, please, and hurry-hurry!"
"Ah, I'm ringin' 'em. They amt
answered yet. Gimme time. There
they are. Go ahead"
Hello, hello!"
"Pwhat is ut?"
Her heart sank; O'Hagan's voice
meant that Maitland was out.
"O'Hagan-is that you? Tell Mr..
Maitland"
Hes GAVIN out for the noight an"
Tell him, please
But he's out. Ring up in the
marnin'."
But can't you take this message
for him? Please"
The door was suddenly jerked open
and Anisty leaped into the room, face
white with passion. Terrified, the
girl sprang from the desk, carrying the
instrument with her. placing the re.
volving chair between her and her
enemy.
"The brass bowl, please-tell him
that" she cried clearly into the re.
ceiver.
And Anisty was upon her, striking
the telephone from her grasp with
one swift blow and seizing her savage.
ly by the wrist. AS the instrument
clattered and pounded on the floor she
was sent reeling and staggering half
way across the room.
AS she brought up against the fiat
topped desk, catching its edge and
saving herself a fall, the burglar
caught up the telephone.
"Who is that" he shouted, impera.
lively, into the transmitter.
Whatever the reply, it seemed to
please him. His brows cleared the
wrath that had made his face almost
unrecognizable subsidized; he even
smiled. And the girl trembed, know.
ing that he had solved her secret; for
she had hoped against hope that the
only words he could have heard her
speak would have had too cryptic a
significance for his comprehension.
AS, slowly and composedly, he re-
placed the receiver on its hook and
returned the instrument to the desk,
a short and rotund figure of man, in
rumpled evening dress and wearing a
wilted collar, hoped excitedly into the
room, cast at the girl one terrified
glance out of eyes that glittered with
excitement like black diamonds, set
in a face the hue of yeast, and
clutched the burglars arm.
"Oh, Anisty, Anisty!" he cried,
piteously. What is it? What is it?
Tell mel"
IT'S all right" returned the burglar.
Don't you worry, little man. Pull
yourself together" And laughed
But what-what-" stammered the
other.
"Only that she's given herself away"
chuckled Anisty; beautifully and
completely. The brass bowl says she
biply 7 Mot