The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-02-24

!, was nassing in my car with party OF
friends. Just for a joke thought Ia
steal up to the house and see how you
were behaving yourselves. By chance
-again-I happened to see this light
through the library windows" And
Maitland. putting an incautious nand
| mon the bull's-eye on the desk. with
drew it instantly, with an exclamation
Of annoyance and four scorched nm
gers.
Hes been at the SAFE" he added
onickly, diverting attention from him
self. Il was just in time
my wor-r-rd!" said Higgins. with
emotion. Then quickly: Did e get
anythin', do you think. sir?''
Maitland shook his head, scowling
over the buffers burly shoulders at the
rapidly augmenting concourse OF serv-
ants in the hallway-lackeys, grooms,
maids, cooks, and what-not; back
ground of pale, scared faces to the
tableau in the library. This won't
do" considered Maitland. Get back,
all of you!" he ordered, sternly, ind1-
eating the group with dominant and
inflexible forefinger Those who are
wanted will be sent for. Now go!
Higgins, you may stay"
Eyes, sir. Yes, sir. But wot an
'orrid 'appenin', sir, if you'll permit
me-"
81 won't. Be quiet and listen. This
man is Anisty-Handsome Dan Anlsty,
the notorious jewel thief wanted badly
by the police of dozen cities. You
understand? I'm going now
to motor to the village and get the
constables; l may" he invented, des-
perately, "be delayed-may have to get
a detective from Brooklyn. If this
scoundrel stirs, don't touch him. Let
him alone-he can't escape if you do.
Above all things, don't you dare to re-
move that gag!'
"Most cert'inly, sir shall bear in
mind wot you says"
You'd best" grimly. Now I'm on.
No: | don't want any attendance
know my way. And-dcn't-touch--
that man-till / return"
Every good, SIR
Maitland stepped over to the safe,
glanced within, cursoriiy, replaced
bundle of papers which he did not re-
call disturbing, closed the door and
twirled the combination.
Nothing gone" he announced. An
inarticulate gurgle from the PROSTATE
man drew a black scOwl from Matt
land Recovering, Good morning" he
Said politely to the butler, and striding
out of the house by the front door,
was careful to slam that behind him,
ere darting into the shadows.
The moon was down, the sky cold,
Opaque gray, overcast with light
drift of cloud. The park seemed very
dark, very dreary; a searching breeze
was sweeping inland from the sound,
soughing sadly in the tree tops; a
chill humidity permeated the air, pre-
cursor of rain. The young man shiv-
cred, both with chill and reaction from
the tension of the emergency just past.
He was aware of an instantaneous
loss of heart, subsistence of the
elation which had upheld him through
out the adventure; and to escape this,
to forget or overcome it, took imme-
diately to his heels, scampering madly
for the road, oppressed with fear lest
he should find the girl gone-with the
jewels.
That she should prove untrue, faith
less, lacking even that honor which
pIoverbially obtains in the society of
Criminals consideration of such a
possibility was intolerable, as much,
so as the suspense of ignorance. He
could not, would not, believe her
capable of ingratitude SO rank; and
fought fiercely, unreasoningly, against
the conviction that she would have fol-
lowed her thievish instincts and
made of with the booty. A
Judgment meet and right upon him
for his madness!
Heart in mouth, he reached the
gates, passing through without dis
covering her, and was struck dumb
aid witless with relief when she
stepped quietly from the shadows of
a low branching tree, offering him a
guiding hand.
Come" she said, quietly. 'This
way"
Without being exactly conscious of
what he was about he caught the
hand in both his own. Then" he ex-
ulted almost passionately-"t then you
didn't"
~I~ T. 1t
face, momentarily upturned to his,
cleaned pale and weary in the dreary
light; the face of tired child,
troubled, saddened; yet with eyes in
expressibly sweet She turned away,
tuggfng at her hand.
(TO BE CONTINJEDl