The Washington times., 1911-02-02
CHAPTER XVII (Continued) .
AVID quickly shifted the cor

| cess seemed certainty.
Rogers turned his large bright eyes
from one to the other. There's only
one danger of failure can see"
And that?" said David.
IF they find out I'm Red Thorpe"
How'll they learn you're Red
| Thorpe?" the Mayor dismissed the mat
| ter with wave of great hand. mo
| danger at ALL"
Il suppose not. But Nv been fearing
| this for ten years, and now that my
| work is coming to its climax l can't
healp fearing it more than ever
| Two more weeks and you'll be on
your way to Colorado" the Mayor as
| sured him. "By the bye, have you had
an answer yet from that sanitarium out
| there?'
Yes. This morning. 1 want to show
| it to you; it's in the other ROOM
| Rogers walked over the strip of car
pet through the open door into the liv-
| ing room. The next instant David and
the Mayor beard his strained voice de-
mand: 'What're you doing here"
They both hurried to the door, On
Rogers couch lay Jimmie Morgan. The
helf-swept floor, the broom leaning
| against a chair, and the breath of the
| bottle, combined to tell the story of
Morgans presence.
| "What're you doing here?" Rogers
demanded, his thin fingers clutching the
| old mans shoulder.
Morgan rose, blinking, to his elbows,
then slipped to his feet.
"Sweepin'," he said with a grin.
| why weren't you doing II, them"
'I must "a had failure O. the heart,
and just keeled over" explained Nor
gan. still grinning amiably
The Mayor shifted the air. Yes,
smells exactly like heart failure"
Yes, 1t was my heart" said Jim
mie, more firmly, and he began to
sweep with unsteady energy.
Rogers, rigidly erect, watched him in
fearing suspicion for space, then said;
through the other door of the room into
the hall. When the door had closed on
old Jimmies back Rogers leaned weakly
| against 1t.
"Dyou think he heard what we said
about Red Thorpe?'
Him" said the mayor. Didn't you
bump your nose agin his breath? Hear
nothin'! He was dead to the world!'
He didn't hear me come up" re-
turned Rogers with tense quiet. When
l saw him first his eyes were open"
Are you sure?" asked David.
when he saw me-"
They looked at each other in appre-
hension, which the Mayor was hrst to
throw off. He probably. didn't hear
understand. And if he did understand,
what's he likely to do? Nothin'. You've
been a friend to him and his girl, and
he amt goin' to do you any dirt. Any
how, in a week or two it'll be over and
YOU You will be pointed toward Colorado"
They heard Kate enter the office, and
they broke off. The Mayor, remarking
that he had to go, drew David out into
the hall
the Mayor whispered. 'I asked her to
fix the weddin'-day' last night. She:
been leading up to 1t so much couldnt
nut off askin' any longer. And, O. course
1 had to ask 1t to be soon-oh, I've go
to NAV the part, you know! Did she pu
it away off in the comfortable distance
Not her! She said she could get ready
in a month. Now what d'you think
that? Who ever heard of a woman get
tin ready in a month! She said since
seemed so anxious, shed make II lou
weeks from yesterday.
Only tYenty-seven more days!
"And say, you remember all then
lies 1 told her about myself when wa
irving to scare her off. Well, she's al
ready begun for throw my past in m!
facet Rogers there, he dreams o; trou
bles-but, oh! Lord, wouldn't like t.
trader
With a doIorous sigh the Mayor de-
parted and David went into the office
AS he sat down at his desk Kate Nor
gan looked sharp questions at him
questions about Lillian Drew. She DID
not speak her questions that afternoon
but InoY VAIN iOl liz
evening, and they were hardly In TIT
street when the questions began t
come. David was instantly aware tina
the Kate Morgan beside him was tn
} Kate Morgan of a year ago, whose i'm
pulses were instantly actions and who's
emotions were instantly words.
'Who was that woman this morn
linE?' she demanded.
Tier name is Lillian Drew"
He offered her his arm, but sht
roughly refused 1t.
who is she?' E.
/ know little of her; have spoker
!, to her but once before" he answered
evasively.
But in thinking he could parry hel
with evasion, he had forgotten her ole
| persistent directness. 'I know better
YOU know a great deal about heri And
she has something to do with you. Dr.
YOU suppose I didn't see that in a sec
! ond this morning."
, David looked with dismay down OF
:, the tense face which the light from
shon windows revealed to him. He saw
that she had to be answered with fact.
or blank refusals, and he studied for 9
moment how much of the first he could
"Except for one glimpse Of her in tn,
street, I haven't seen her for five
wears" he was beginning guardedly
when she broke in with, That was JUS
before you were sent away"
u Yes"
Jjlre a fash came her next question