Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-02-10
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" insisted that she say nothing more
about the subject and calm herself
So far as outward manifestations
were concerned, the girl followed TINS
advice fairly we'll but her heart
bounded uncontrolledly. her pulse
throbbed correspondingly, ana wave
of deepest pity surged over her as she
realized the horrible lot to which had
been condemned the hero OF the one
great adventure of her life. the gall
lant Prince Charming Of the only real
romance in which she had ever played
part.
The lieutenant governor addressed
the prisoner:
How do you do, sir?'
Valentine swung around and raced
the speaker. He realized that he
could no longer conceal his features
from the spectator. He pressed his
hands nervously together and looked
his questioner squarely In the eyes.
How do you do. sir?" he said in
low voice.
Handler was watching the exchange
Of greetings with keen interest.
Met before, governor, have your
he asked ingenuously.
NO" responded Fay. But I'm glad
TO see you have some types here diff
ferent than Dick the Rat and
YES" broke In the warden. Here,
Jimmy, there's something gone wrong
with the office safe. Open it for me.
will your
Fay fastened pentrating gaze on
Valentine.
The prisoner turned his face away
and toward the warden.
I'll do so very gladly If can
What is the combinations"
"Combinationw exploded the ward
en-, staring at the prisoner.
Valentine was as cool and as Insist
ent as though he were an employer
talking with one Of his clerks.
Yes. the combination. How can
you expect me to open the safe with
out il? Why. Mr.. Warden, you must
be joking with me-"
Rose Lane smiled complacently into
the lieutenant governors face.
Handlers face became red-a deep
red that threatened any moment to
merge into rich grape purple hue.
You go at that safe and open 1t
just like you need the coin" he
shouted.
Valentine made q deprecatory ges-
ture.
You tatter me-" he answered, and
he smiled q most aggravating smile
that caused the now thoroughly arous-
ed prison master to pound his desk
and hoarsely cry:
"Flattery be ID You do as say
or I'll give you the
Handler caught himself just in time.
He suddenly remembered that the
lieutenant governor was present.
Say, Valentine" he substitutes for
his Intended threat of the straitjacket,
you're fourflushing because there's Il
gallery present. eh?"
No. 1889 turned and surveyed the
visitors present. His gaze passed
from the lieutenant governor to the
two members Of the Gate Of Hope So
ciety. Then in the background, half
crouched into one of the uncomforta-
BILE wooden chairs that adorned the
warden's office, he saw q girlish fig
ure. He leaned forward inyoluntarily,
for he saw face and pair Of large
brown eyes fixed steadfastly upon
him. He recognized the girl as the
one he had saved from the remorse-
less clutches Of Billy Cotton-Cotton,
whom he had thrown to his death
through the window Of q transconti-
mental fier. But only for q moment
did Jimmy Valentine falter. With
masterful control he wheeled to face
the warden. You are wrong again"
he said evenly to Handler. you
know am not what you would have
these people think l am"
Now the grape purple began to show
in the warden's face The thick veins
In his neck began to thicken still
more and to crowd his low collar for
space.
you better do us | ask. Valentine"
he warned.
81 know that every one here knows
that butt
You're doing ten for opening bank
safe and you can't open an old safe
like mine" The warden was sheer
ing.
II never opened that bank safe
You know that"
You're going to pose, eh? Well,
listen, you go and cop that gopher or
I'll give you solitaire for month"
Handler was now at his worst. 4
month Of "solitairew A month, thir-
ty days, thirty nights, alone, save for
the rats and the river tides that seep-
ed between the stones!
1T is an impossibility for any one
to open safe without the combina-
ton. l regret l cannot do as you
ask"
Handler forgot the presence Of the
lieutenant governor and Of the ladies.
"Get out of here, you
Mrs. Webster stepped forward pro-
testingly.
Fay determined to take hand.
you're losing your temper, ward
en-" he began when he saw the pris-
oner step to the door through which
he had come Just moment" Fay
said commandingly to the convict. Il
forgot your name"