Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-19

table near the wall. The windows were
heavily curtained. Not ray of light could
have found it's way to the outer darkness OF
the land.
Two figures cast great shadows on the
floor, one the woman's, the other mans.
The latter bore some steaming dishes in his
hands and on his arm, with a walters uni
versal skill. 1t was he they called Pelevin,
an accomplished being with mind, he al
ways said, above the roles for which the
world had cast him.
At the slight sound made by Thurley IN
propping herself on an arm the woman
turned. @Get up!" she commanded. u am
hungry. We dine"
Thurley was staring at Pelevin, whose
face, she was sure, betokened better things
than a questionable association with this
woman. He did not turn, however, till he
placed all the dishes on the table; then, as
he went, he cast look on the captive girl
that seemed she fancied, friendly, if not in
deed compassionate While Lagorsky S
back was turned.
@Will YOU drink tea or coffee?" asked the
woman, arranging the dishes on the table
"You see, l am generous, good prov1der.
Coffee, if you please" said Thurley, who
trusted it might be as good as the bare sug-
gestion promised. She was painfully hungry.
She rose from the bed, discovering her
chain to be fully ten feet in length, even as
the woman strobe to the door and bawled to
Pelevin to bring two cups of coffee. Then
presently, with Zagorsky seated close at her
side, Thurley assuaged her appetite on NUT
ton stew, with bread and butter. The fare,
tbonph exceedingly limited as to variety,
was nevertheless acceptable, being well
cooked and comfortingly hot. The coffee, in
two large heavy cups, was brought few
minutes later; and once more Pelevln dlsap-
peared. It seemed to Thurley utterly in
congruous to sit there, calmly eating with
such being, under such conditions; but she
was healthy, hungry young woman, and to
starve would be the greatest folly.
Zagorsky was not communicative or
loauacious person. Thurley felt that queries,
entreaties, or demands would be alike wasted
on the creature, and therefore, both being
greatly in need of bodily sustenance, there
was nothing said during the progress of the
meal. The same inherent shrinking from
the adventures was constantly present IN
Thurleys subconscious thoughts and move
ments; vet sheer determination that she
would not needlessly grleve, or otherwise
waste her strength, possessed her absolutely
and supplied her with courage, hope, and a
wisdom rare and helpful.
When at length she pushed her empty cup
away there was new resolve and a steady,
renewing resentment III HeI DelllS. DIG loOh
one look at Madam Zagorsky, almost as if
with the thought in mind of bouncing upon
her, fighting it out, and then perhaps leaping
from the window; but the wild idea faded
instantly, leaving her sober sense athrone,
and aware of the heavy odds against her.
CHE rose from the table, and her angry
~ glance, which was also girlishly wistful
sped along the twisted links of the chain that
bound her to the bed. She almost started at
sight of link supplied by strands of wire.
The chain had either been broken, or two
short pieces had once been spliced together,
the wire being passed at least four times be-
tween the iron links, then twisted hard and
nipped off close and bent down level with
the strands.
Thurley's breath came faster, merely with
the thought of things perhaps made possible,
could she once only tamper with the link.
Then Zagorsky faced about, and Thurley
sank on the edge of the bed with her eyes
ayerted from the woman's.
Despite all the sleep she had taken that
day, she presently felt herself heavy again.
She made an effort, at first rather slight,
then more determined, to cast the feeling off.
A few minutes later she was exerting the ut
most will power and mental goading of
which she was capable to divest her brain
of lethargy creeping upon it.