Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-03-07
CHAPTER IlI.-lcontlnued.)

His journey uptown In the subway
which he accomplished without misad-
venture, shielding himself behind q
newspaper. was his first taste of I'M
restricted freedom--and by that token
a delight without alloy.
At quiet and inconspicuous hotel
In the Forties, some distance from
Broadway he registered boldly as
"Brainerd West, Philadelphia" and
paid for his room in advance, explain
ing that his luggage would come in
later. The open stare of the room
clerk irritated him but little. whose
thoughts were preoccupied with hun
dred halfformed and less than half
considered plans.
In his rooms. forgetful of his prom
lse to telephone Warburton, he threw
himself upon the bed TO ponder the
next move; and exhaustion. superin-
tuced by excitement, overcame him
almost Immediately. For the better
part of an hour he slept without stir
to the shrilling. prolonged and MOTTO
be-denied-ring of the telephone by the
head of his bed.
Still y little stupid with sleep, he re-
luired a moment or TWO to grasp the
import Of the switchboard operators
advice, 20 the effect that Mr. Cross.
representing the Evening World.
would like to see Mr.. Brainerd West.
The message was repeated in accents
Peremptory before he comprehended
that he had been run to earth.
Ask the gentleman to come up at
once" he said. and. selling his hat,
left the room as soon as he had fin
ished speaking.
Ascending a single flight OF the
stairway that wound round the ele-
rator shaft, he waited until the car
began to rise, then rang. AS he had
reseen, it paused at the floor be-
ow to discharge the newspaper man
efore coming up for him. AS he
Itepped into the cage he pressed
dollar into the operators palm.
Down" he demanded; ground
ioor And don't step for anybody"
a single minute later he was in the
street. Haste being the prime essen
iial of the situation. he lodged round
| the corner into Sixth avenue, walked
A block uptown and turned through to
Broadway.
There suddenly. as he paused at the
upper end of Longacre square, doubt
Ing which way to turn, what to do, he
| quickened TO sensibility of his soli-
tude, and knew himself more utterly
alone in that hour than ever he had
been throughout his days.
A passing handsom pulled in to his
signal. He entered. giving the address
Of katherine Thaxter's home.
There was a crimson glare of sun.
set down the street when he alighted
ia paid his fare.
Just in time said Coast; II was
10 come to tea today begged the
privilege only yesterday. :"
| He paused, silenced by a PRESENT..
ment bred of the aspect of the house.
At every window the shades were
drawn level with the stills. The flight
Of brownstone steps. Uttered with
wind-swept dust and debris. ran up TO
heavy oaken doors. tight-closed. The
seal OF a burglar-protective concern
stared at him from a corner of one
of the drawing-room windows. Only
In the old-fashioned basement were
there signs OF life; the area-gateway
stood open; gas Jet glimmered
through sash-curtains.
Heavily Coast turned into the area.
and rang the basement bell.
After some time the door was
opened to him and he entered. to have
bis hand caught and fawned upon by
the aged butler who had smugg ed
him sweets when Coast in the pride
and pomp OF his first knickerbockers
aad come to stay with Katherine I'm
ner nursery
"Oh, MIR. Garrett. Mr. Garrett" the
old voice quavered. God bless the
day, siri I've seen the papers and |
said that you'd be here, sir, as soon as
ever you got back home. knew
"twould turn out so, sir. from the
first: I've never failed to stand up for
you and say you never done 1t.
But a black shame II is justice was
so long In coming"
Soames rambled on, garrulous In
semisenile Joy. Coast leaned YEARLY
against the wall OF the gloomy base