United labor bulletin. (Denver, Colo.) 19??-1915, 1913-12-13

per. You don't know what you are
talking about. You haven't the slight
est idea OF the circumstances.
Now listen to mel must hurry. |
have come here to release you II
everything is all right mean. If you
can satisfy me that am warranted in
freeing you-you can 90. Otherwise
! must leave you as you are: and IL
don't want to do that"
And | don't want you to, believe
me-" breathed Tom, fervently. Are
you the girl who asked me my name
downstairs"
Yes"
Il want to hear your voice again.
But more than anything else, want to
see your face. II you're the same girl.
I'll agree to anything-even to remain
ing here. like this. to die
This rash declaration was ignored.
viii you tell me your name now?'
asked the girl.
Tom Phinney." that young gentle
| man replied simply. Il shant ask
yours-not just at present-but mean
to know II some day. ! mean to have
you to myself some time. SO that l. can
look at you to my hearts content l
know you are beautiful"
The response to this. whisper though
IL was. revealed a fash OF spirit
Much good II would do to you to
ask. II you don't remain quiet I shall
leave you at once"
II silence was what she wanted. sure
ly she could not complain of the in
tensity of that which Immediately en-
sued. IL remained SO long unbroken
that the girls fortitude failed her.
''Weii7" The tremulous whisper con-
yeyed a distinct impression to Tom
she was afraid. Are you going to
stop talking SO silly?"
But he did not speak; indeed. he was
once more holding his breath
After another pause
/ Are you asleep" the girl whispered.
Have you-have you-fainted?"
Not sound from Tom.
Presently he felt a little hand touch
his breast. as lightly as a feather, and
warm glow flowed through him that
4 effectively banished the chill OF his
damp clothing. Then the hand iut
tered TO his face and. in the darkness,
rested a moment upon his mouth
Afterwards Tom stoutly asserted
that what ht did was wholly inAdvert.
ent. citing as valid corroborative evi.
I dence the fact that he had had no time
to viii thesaot. and at the same time
he contended that because the act was
inadyertent. Il was sincere and there
fore TO be condoned.
Anyhow. he kissed the softest and
sweetest palm in all the world.
F, The. immediate result, however.
nearly spelled disaster for this mid.
night enterprise. The hand was with.
drawn as II IL had touched a live coal.
and the girl rose to her feet. utterly
disregardful of the noise she made in
doing SO.
Tom could hear her painting: in i'm.
agination he could see her standing
white and rigid with terror. and he
was promptly contrite.
you are frightened he said. alb
jectiy apologize.
.'oh. AMI am" she moaned III
you knew what this meant for me you
wouldn't be so foolish. All my life
long have been afraid OF the dark
not just shivery afraid. but frightened
clear out of my wits. And you-you
Tom caught u sob-"you make II SO
much worse. | didn't know what had
happened"
What do you think of mel" he
groaned.
~ think you are cheeky young
man. must have been insane ever to
have thought OF aiding you to es-
cape
Don't say that" he muttered in
hoarse CONSERVATION. Forgive me
please do. shan't take back anything
I've said or. done. but I'll promise to
be good-to do exactly what you say
There fell another pause. Then
VIII you promise that" whispered
the girl.
Il have promised Tom whispered
back
rOn your word of honor?"
''on my word of honr rs a gentle
man.
He heard long sigh of relief. and
the girl cautiously resumed her for.
mer position at Ms side,
Here is my plan" she said. land
YOU must be obedient In every little
detail. l shall have to blindfold you
again and lead you some distance from
the house Have you any idea where
you are7''
mot glimmer of one
And II you were out OF sight OF the
house. you couldn't and your way
back q IT."
III you told me not to shouldn't
even try to and It."
Very well. Now let me unite your
hands"
The task was not an easy one. for
the knots had been tightly tied and
were still damp. But presently his
hands were free. and the first unham'
| 80 ~ hiu arma wruug