The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-01

tective stories.
What do you wish me to do?"
repeated.
Il will tell you when the time
comes. For your own sake, be ad
vised by me and do nothing rash. You
are so impulsive"
For my own sake do nothing rash
was SO impulsive! My hand wan
dered toward the door-latch, and fell
No! l would stick it out, whatever
happened.
you are not afraid, are you?" she
asked.
Afraid OF what?"-adroitly.
IT was right in waiting for you
simply.
Maybe; that remained to be seen.
Are you wise In taking me there
tonight?" l asked. This was very
cunning Of me-
She coughed slightly and peered
from the window. Ten blocks more!
On, If only We dared go faster, faster,
and have 1t all over with"
"A policeman would delay us no
inconsiderable time" / cautioned.
"And think of its being reported in
the papers! That wouldn't help mat
tiers. They are bad enough as they
are" Doubtless they were!
She said nothing
Courage, courage!" I said; "all
will end we'll" At least / sincerely
hoped 1t would end well. I reached
over and touched her hand. She with
drew that member Of an exquisite
anatomy as suddenly as If my touch
had stung her.
Then a horrible thought scorched
me. / had more than a thousand dol
lars in my wallet. snuggled over to
my side of the carriage. The news
papers were teeming with stories Of
new bunkogames, and this might be
one of the classics Of getting-rich-
quick on other peoples money.
slyly buttoned up my coat. Anyhow.
1t was chilly.
On. on we rolled; light after light
flashed into the window, gloom fol-
lowed gloom.
More than a thousand dollars was a
large sum for an author to be carry
ing about; and II the exploit turned
out to be police affair I might be
seriously questioned as to how an
author came by so large a sum. Yet,
as / thought Of her necklace, I felt
my cheeks grow red with shame. It's
so hard to doubt beautiful young
woman! Still, the jewelry might not
be real. Had she really mistaken
me? Ha! had II. I would find out
what she was.
/ leaned over quickly and kissed
her cheek. There was not a sound.
only l felt her shudder. She wiped
with her handkerchief the spot my
lips had touched. I was a cad and a
wretch. When she did speak her
tones were even and low.
Il did not quite believe that of
you"
II could not help IT," declared,
ready to confess that I was an i'm
poster; and as I look back I know
that / told the truth when / said l
could not help It. / didn't care where
the carriage went, nor what the end
would be.
And trusted you!" The reproach
was genuine.
I had nothing to say. My edifice
of suspicious had suddenly tumbled
about my ears.
Il am sorry; I have acted like q
cad. l am one," l said finally.
Il was helpless. One after another
the men we trust fail u.s." she an
swered despondently.
Madam. I am a wretch. I am not
the gentleman you have taken me for.
/ have had the misfortune to resem-
BILE another gentleman"
Il never saw you before in all my
life. nor any person that resembles
you"
I gasped. This was what the old
dramatists called a thunderbolt from
heaven. I felt for my wallet; It was
still In my pocket. Inconsistency, /
grew angry.
Then, what the devil"
DO not add profanity to Ill man.
ners." she interposed. "Perhaps 7
have no right to complain. There is
the door, sir; you have but to press
the button. stop the driver, and get
out ! am in terribly embarrassing
position tonight, one which nv own
folly has brought me to- II was alb.
solutely necessary that a gentleman
should accompany me in this carriage
to my destination. When you came
forth from your club-the only club
the exact location of which ! am IA.
miliar with-you appeared to be a.
gentleman, one / could trust to &C.
company me. To attract your at.
tention, and at the same time arouse
your curiosity, / had to resort to
equivocal methods. II Is an adyen-
ture, sir. Will you see It to the end.
or shall press the button?" She
seemed really in earnest.
Permit me to ask a question or
two!" I was nightly confused at the
turn Of things.
Perfect confidence in me, or ri
shall open the door,"
In any other city but New York"
Yes or no!"-imperiously.
Hang II, madam!"
Her hand went toward the electric
button.
ITO the end Of the world, and no
questions asked"
Her hand dropped. Thank you,"-
gently.
Curiosity IL something we can't