Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-05


road. striding along with the splendid
swing Of the healthy Englishwoman
who has not been trained 10 dawdle.
Her walking skirt gave free play to her
limbs. She was far past the well
known Zine in the road" before she
paused to take a full breath and to re-
capitulate. Her heart beat faster, and
the sudden glow in her cheek was not
from the exercise. Somehow, out there
alone in the world. the most amazing
feeling Of tenderness sped on ahead TO
Randolph Shaw. She tried to put 1t
from her. but IL grew and grew. Then
she blushed deep within herself, and
her eyes grew sweet with the memory
OF those stolen, reprehensible hours
along the frontier. Something within
her breast cried out for those shining,
gone by moments, something seemed
10 close down on her throat, something
flooded her eyes with a softness that
rolled up from her entire being. Their
line! Their insurmOuntable barrier!
An absurd yet ineffable longing TO fall
down and kiss that line came over her
with compelling force.
Her head grew light with the thought
OF those moments when their horses
stood with muzzles together as II kiss
ing by proxy-the flush grew deeper,
though her blood went cold and she
trembled.
A pitiful confusion seized her. an
inexpEcable timidity crept into her
heart, replacing the bold assurance
that had been recklessly carrying her
on 10 him. It was as though some
one had whispered the truth into her
ear and she was beginning TO believe.
From that moment her courage be-
gan to fail. The glow from her Ian
tern was a menace instead of a help.
A sweet timorousnesS enveloped her
and something tingled-she knew not
what
SCATTERING raindrops whiZzed in her
face, ominOus forerunners from the
iuky sky. The wind was whistling
with shrill glee in the treetops and
the treetops tried to fee before it, A
mile and half lay between her and
the big cottage on the hillside-the
most arduous part of the journey by
far. She walked and ran as though
pursued. scudding over the road with
q swiftness that would have amazed
another, but which seemed the essence
Of slowness TO her. Thoughts Of rob-
bers, tramps and wild beasts assailed
her with intermittent terrors, but all
served TO diminish the feeling Of shy
ness that had been interfering with
her determination.
Past Renwood's cottage she sped,
shuddering as she recognized the stone
steps and path that ran up the hillside
to the haunted house Ghosts. witches
and hobgoblins fell into the procession
/ of pursuers, cheered on by the shrek
ing wind that grew more noisome as
her feet carried her higher up the
mountain. Now she was on new
ground. She had never before explor-
! ed so far as this. The hill was steep
and the road had black abysses out
beyond its eedgs.
She was breathless, half dead from
fatigue and terror. when at last her
feet stumbled up the broad steps lead.
ing TO his porch. Trembling, she sank
into the rustic bench that stood against
the wall. The lantern clattered to her
feet. and the bag with her jewels, heI
letter of credit and her curling irons
slid to the floor behind the bench. Here
was his home! What cared she for the
storm?
Even as she lay there gasping fol
breath. her eyes on the shadowy moor
that was breaking its way through the
clouds, three men raced from the sta
bles at Bazelhurst villa. bent on find
ing the mad young person who had fec
the place. Scarcely knowing what di
rection he took. Lord Bazelhurst LED
the way, followed by the duke and the
count, all OF them supplied with car
rage lamps, which at any other time
would have been slckening in theil
obtrusiveness. Except for Lady Eve
Ign the rest of the house slept the sleeI
Of ease
Gradually Penelope recovered from
the effects OF the mad race up the hill
The sputtering fame in the Lantern
called her into action. Clutching Il
from the floor Of the porch, she softly
began a tour Of inspection. first look
ing at her watch 10 find that it wa.
the unholy hour OF 3 Had some on,
yelled Boo she would have swoou
ed, so tense was every nerve. Now
that she was here. what was she 10 do
Her heart came TO her mouth hel
hand shook. but not With fear; nerv
Gus smile tried TO wreak disaster t.
the concern in her eyes.
The house was dark and still. NJ
one was stirring. The porch was Lit
tered with rugs and cushions. while
on small table near the end stood &
} decanter. a siphon and two glasses
Two? He had said be was alone ex
cept for the housekespcr and the serv
ants. 4 visitor. then. This was MOI
what she had expected. Her hear
sank. II would be hard 10 face the
master Of the house. Out-a stranger
Cigarette stubs met her bewildered
troubled gaze-many OF them. Deduc
ton was easy out there in the lonely
/. night. II was easy 10 see that Shaw
!, and his companion sat up so late thai
the servants had some to bed
: Distractedly she looked about fol-
means Of shelter on the porch unit
daylight could abet her in the flight tc
the village beyond. Tire storm wa.