The Pleasantville press., 1913-10-15

MI II uuiuchy Drpch, Win Win
rage and chagrin. had paced
his temporary prison in the top
story of the Tirol from IL
O'Clock till 2. bitterly cursing the fools
who were keeping him in durance
more vile than that from which they
had generously released him. He real
lied that it would he unwise to create
a disturbance in the house by clamor-
ing for freedom. because. in the first
place. there already had been scandal
enough. and. in the second place, his
distrustful bondsmen had promised
faithfully to seek out the devoted Con-
ME and apprise her of his release He
had no thought. of cohrse, that in the
meantime she might be duped into pay
ing bribe to the guard.
Not only was he direfully cursing the
trio. but also the Anticipated Medcroft
and his own Anticipated self. 1t Is to
be feared that he had harsh thoughts
of all the Medcrofts as far down as
Raggles His dream of love and hap
piness had turned into nightmare;
the comedy had become tragic snarl
of all the effects known to melodrama.
It occurred to him at 2 o'clock that
pacing the floor in the agony of sus-
pense was very useless occupation.
He would go to bed. Morning would
bring relief and surcease to his trou-
bled mind Constance was doubtless
sound asleep in her room Everything
would have been explained to her long
before this hour She would under
stand. So. with the return of his old
sophistTy, he undressed and crawled
into the strange bed Somehow he
did not like it as well as the cot in
the balcony below.
Just as he was dropping off into the
long delayed slumber. he heard light
tapping at his door. He sat up in bed
like fash. thoroughly wide awake
The rapping was repeated He called
out In cautious tones. asking who was
there, at the same time slipping from
bed to tumble in the darkness for his
clothes.
"'Sh!" came from the hallway He
rushed over and put his ear to the
door. "It is l. Are you awake?
can't stay here. It's wrong. Listen
Here's note-under the door Good
night darling. I'm heartbroken."
"Thank God, it's your he cried soft
ly. How love you. Constancer'
"'Sh. Edith is with me! Oh,
wish it were morning and could see
you. have so much to say"
Another querulous voice broke in:
For heavens sake, Connie, don't
stand here any longer. Our reputa-
lions are bad enough as 1t is Good
night Rox buryp He distinctly heard
the heartless Edith giggle. Then came
the soft. quick swish of garments and
the nocturnal visitors were gone. He
picked up the envelope and. waiting
until they were safely down the hall.
turned on the light.
Dearest" he read. sit was not my
fault and know it was not yours
But. oh, you don't know how | suffer
ed all through those hours of waiting
at the cafe. They did not find me un-
til after 2. They were drunk They
tried to explain. What do you think
the authorities will do to me If they
6nd that gave that horrid man bribe
money? Really. I'm terribly nervous
But~he won't dare say anything. will
he? He is as guilty as l, for he took
It He took 1t knowing that you were
free at the time But we will talk it
over tomorrow. I've just got back to
the hotel. | wouldn't go to bed until
Edith brought me up to hear your dear
voice. am so glad you are not dead.
It is impossible to release you tonight
Those wretches have the key How
loathe them Edith says the hotel Is
wild with gossip about everything and
everybody It's just awful BE of good
heart my beloved | will be your