New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-02
Continued from page II

confession, he decided, was the only way OUT.
Max was painting along ten feet behind.
Over her shoulder the girl noted TINS. one
turned her questioning eyes on Magee. lie
felt that his moment had come.
TDON'T know how to begin, y muttered the
novelist, whose puppet speeches had
always been 50 apt. LAST night you sent
me on a sort of-auest for the golden fleece.
| didn't know who had been fleeced, or what
the idea was. But Jared forth, as they say
The ewes of the girl glowed happily I'm
60 qladlT she said. But why-why didn't
YOU give it to me last night? 1t would have
meant so much if you had.
"That." replied Magee, us what I'm
coming to-very reluctantly. Did you note
anv spirit of caution in the fellow who set
forth on your quest, and dropped over the
balcony rail? You did not. waited on the
porch and saw Max tap the safe. saw him
and Cargan come out. | waited for them.
lust as was about to jump on them, some
bodv-the man with the seventh key,
gueSs-did it for me. There was a scutfie.
I Joined it. | emerged with the package
everybody seems 50 interested in.
YES" said the girl breathlessly. And
then"
II started to bring it to YOU went on
Magce, gancing over his shoulder at Max.
Il was all aglow with romance, and battle,
and all that sort OF thing | pictured the
thrill of handing you the thing you had
asked. ran up stairs. At the head OF the
stairs-I saw her.
The light died in her eyes. Reproach en-
tered there.
Eyes" continued Magec "your knight
errant lost his nerve. He ceased to run on
schedule She too asked me for that pack
age of money
"And you gave it to herr said the girl
scornfully.
"Oh, no, answered Magee quickly. "Not
so bad as that. | simply sat down on the
steps and thought. | got cautious. | de-
cided to wait until today. II did wait.
He paused. The girl strobe on, looking
straight ahead. Magee thought OF adding
that he had felt it might be dangerous to
place a package 50 voraciouSly desired IN
her frail hands. He decided he'd better not,
on second thought.
Il know" he said, what you think. I'm
a fine specimen Of man to send on hunt Ike
that 4 -knced molyCoddle who
passes into state Of coma at the crucial
moment But-I'm going to give you that
package yet"
The girl turned her head. Magee saw
that her eyes were misty with tears.
you're playing with me, she said bro.
kenly. Il might have known. And trusted
vou You're in the game with the others
and thought you weren't. | Staked my
whole chance Of success on you: now you re
making sport of me. You never intended
to give me that money-you don't intend
10 now,
~On my word, cried Magee, Il do intend
to give it to you, the minute we get back to
the inn. have it safe in my room"
"Give it TO her" said the girl bitterly
"Whv don't you give it to her"
Oh. the pcrversity Of women
ITS you want to give il to, replied Ma
gee warmly. Il don't know what was the
matter with me last night. was q fool
You don't believe in me, | know
Her face was cold and expreSsionleSS.:
And wanted to believe in you-So much.
she said.
why did YOU want to-" cried Magee.
She ploddcd on through the snow.
"You must believe" he pleaded. 81 dor.
know what all this is about-on my word OF
honor But | want TO give YOU that money,
and | will-thc minute We get back 20 the
inn. VIII YOU believe then, VIII YOU
Z -, 81 .t,r1rl,