The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-09-21

erackie Of paper ~ FIRST he didn1
understand. then he knew that the
woman had pinned q 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 a. she turned back. She was
leaning over him again-her lips
touched his forehead, barely; again
there was quick rustling Of skirts.
the door creaked. and--silebce, deep.
oppressive. overwhelming silence.
Isabel Was he dreaming7 And
then he ceased wondering and fell to
remembering her hss-iight as air.
and the softly spoken Thank Godi"
She did care. them She had under
stood. that dayi
The kiss Of woman beloved is a
splendid heart tonic Mr.. Grimm
Strengthened up suddenly on the
couch, himself again. He touched the
slip Of paper which she had pinned to
HIS coat TO make sure II was not all a
dream. after which he recalled the
fact that while he had heard the door
creak before she went out be had not
heard II creak afterward. Therefore,
the door was open. She had left II
open. Purposely? That was beside
the question ut 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 tho
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 be thought
n Miss Thorne had returned. then
Prince Benedetto d'Abruszi who held
absolute power TO sign the compact
for Italy. France and Spain. had also
returned.
stealthily feeling his way ss 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
a moment later stepped out into the
star-lit night. II was open country
here. with thread Of white road just
ahead, and farther along a fringe Of
shrubbery. Mr.. Grimm reached the
road. Far down II. pin point in the
night. light nickered through inter.
lacing branches. The tail lamp of an
automobile. Of course,
Mr.. Grimm left the road and skirt
ed sparse hedge In the direction Of
the light. After n 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 tonnean. 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 lights
are-just ahead"
There WAS no installing that voice
raised above the elamor Of the engine.
The car siackened speed. and Mr..
Grimm dropped on and darted behind
some convenient bushes. And the nrst
thing he did there was TO light Q
match. and read what was written or
the slip Of paper pinned TO his coat
Il was. simply:
Ny 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 q 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 say that you
are one man in whom ! have never
been disappointed Accept this as my
farewell, for now assume again the
name and position rightfuliy mine.
And know. too. that I shall always
cherish the belief that you viii re-
Your friend.
ISABEL THORNE.
"P. 8. The prince and left the
steamer at Montauk Point. on tug.
boat"
Mr.. Grimm kissed the note twice.