The Paonia progressive and the Paonia newspaper., 1911-09-14

understand, then he knew that tho
woman had pinned a paper to the
lapel of his coat. Finally she straight
ened up. and took two steps away
from him, after which came pause.
His keenly attuned ears caught her
faint breathing, then the rustic OF her
skirts as she turned back. She was
leaning over him again-her lips
touched his forehead. barely; again
there was a quick rustling of skirts.
the door creaked. and-silence. deep.
oppressive, overwhelming silence.
Isabel. Was he dreaming? And
then he ceased wondering and fell to
remembering her kiss-iight as air
and the softly spoken Thank God!"
She did care, them She had under
stood, that day!
The kiss of a woman beloved is
splendid heart tonic. Mr.. Grimm
straightened up suddenly on the
couch, himself again. He touched the
slip Of paper which she had pinned to
dream, after which he recalled the
fact that while he had heard the door
creak before she went out he had not
heard Il creak afterward-. Therefore.
the door was open. She had left 1t
open. Purposely? That was beside
the question at the moment.
And why-how-was she In Wash
ington? Pondering that question, Mr.
Grimm's excellent teeth clicked sharp
ly together and he rose. He knew the
answer. The compact was to be
signed-the alliance which would ar
ray the civilized world in arms. He
had failed to block that. as he thought
II Miss Thorne had returned. then
Prince Benedetto d'Abruzzi. who held
absolute power to sign the compact
for Italy. France and Spain. had also
returned.
Stealthily feeling his way as he
went. Mr.. Grimm moved toward the
door leading to freedom. guided by
the fresh draft Of air. He reached
the door-it was standing open-and
moment later stepped out into the
star-lit night II was open country
here. with a thread OF white road Just
ahead. and farther along a fringe OF
shrubbery. Mr.. Grimm reached the
road. Far down It. a pin point In the
night. n light nickered through inter
lacing branches. The tail lamp OF an
automobile. OF course'
Mr.. Grimm left the road and skirt
the light After a moment he heard
the engine OF an automobile. and saw
woman-barely discernible-step
into the car. As II started forward
he staked everything on one bold
move. and won. his reward being a
narrow sitting space In the rear OF
the car. hidden from its occupants by
the tonneau- One mile. two miles.
three miles they charged through the
night. and still he chung on. At last
there came relief.
That's the place. where the Iights
are-1ust ahead"
There was no mistaking that voice
raised above the clamor OF the engine.
The car siackened speed. and Mr.
Grimm dropped on and darted behind
some convenient bushes. And the first
thing he did there was to light n
match. and read what was written on
the slip OF paper pinned to his coat
It was. simply;
My Dear Mr.. Grimm:
by the time you read this the com
pact will have been signed. and your
efforts to prevent II. splendid as they
were. futile. II Is tribute TO you
that It was unanimously agreed that
you must be accounted for at the time
Of the signing. hence the drugging In
the restaurant: It was only an act OF
kindness that I should come here to
see that all was well with you. and
leave the door open behind me.
Believe me when I say that you
are one-man In whom I have never
been disappointed. Accept this as my
farewell for now I assume again tho
name End position rightfully mine.
And know. too. that shall always
cherish the belief that you will re-
| member me as
Your friend.
ISABEL THORNE.
"P 8. The prince and | left tho
steamer at Montauk Point. on a tug
boat
Mr.. Grimm kissed the note twice.
| them burned IL