Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-11
The Gates of
Silence
Rv META SIMMlNS,
Author OF "Hushed Up"
ropAY'S INSTALLMENT.

TODAY > INO ALLME4N l.
NJ. hours passed She heard strike
-, che must have dozed herself for the
ling of 4 came to her as the clarion
~ on alarm She started up. If LeVas-
s.,,r intended to escape he should be
moving After some one IN the house
r,iqnt conceivably be astir.
She looked down at him and wondered
bov to wake him, for repugnance to
touch him filled her.
@Fdmond!' She spoke his name soft
l., and the man started up with gasp
40 sound and a look of fear in his eyes
t,7t was never to leave her, Then in an
Instant he had recovered himself and
n.ss on his feet loking at the clock,
Good gracious, is that the time? Four
.,.l,cko What the mischief did you let
me- sleep so long for?"
n did not know 1t was so late l must
have slept myself. But this is the best
+irne to make an attempt. 1t is too late
COR anyone in the household to have sat
m and to early for them to have riser"
TAvasseur stretched himself luxurious
~ shaking himself like a dog.
"The worthy Darlington, then, is
greater fool than l took him for" he
said He never came back7'
"No. There have been no sounds in the
house
INV freedom for smoke he said,
with yawn He was turning over the
things on her writing table and found
her gold cigarette case. He held 1T up
May r.
Keep 1t? Oh. yes. And the money
won't you want the money!"
Levasseur smiled, but in his smile was
q touch of shame Il am afraid l shall,
he said; but t~let me rob you.
1T is not robbing me-, she said, brief
w she went into her bed room and took
out her dressing case, feeling with trem
hing fingers for the secret compartment
where the notes that had come to her
marked hush money" we're hidden. TAX
ing them out she stuffed them into a
little leather case adding two or three
hounds in gold out of her own purse
The "Hush Money"
There Is the money that was to have
been used for your defense" she said.
"Don't ask me how I got it. Don't blame
me If it brings misfortune to you But
take It out of this house-if you only
fling it away The gold is my own. If
had more you should have it and well
come"
Lavasseur stuffed the case into his
breast pocket without looking at it's con-
tents
you're not a bad sort, Edith" he
said mot half a bad sort" He laid his
hand on her shoulder. IT'S to be adieu
this time my dear" he said And I
couldn't say why, but I'd like you to know
that I'm bit sorry for the past-that 1
recognize various rents in my moral ha
bliments But l am not a murderer"
He buttoned up his coat and Edith
stealthily and cautiously turned the key
in the door AS she opened it, 1t made
hardly sign OF sound; outside the still
ness OF sleep lay upon the house She
glanced up and down; everything was
as usual. Not a sound; not a sight of any
thing stirring, only the eQe distant light
that burned always on the staircase.
Come, she whispered. Everything
seems safe. Shall I come with you? Can
you manage the front door,"
He shook his head. Don't worry about
the door. There hasn't been door con-
trived that 1 could not open from the
inside at any rate. If any one came
myself I am equal to any questions that
might be put to me-"
The Trap.
He held out his hand to her. We'll, |
good bye" he said, For an instant Edith |
Darlington hesitated then she clasped the
hand he held outstretched. The next ntp-
ment he was gone and she stood alone
In the dimly lighted room.
Levasseur crept slowly along the corri- |
dor His football made practically no
sound on the heavy carpet On the dis
tant staircase the faint glimmer of light