The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-10-28

! burglary, calmly anu wi,,h iiatermina-
ton breaking his way into the house
dows and basement.
| In this nefarious business nothing
hindered and none opposed him. But
| for single lighted window III the up
per tier tbut not, he noted, the window
10 Roses bedchambar) and one or two
lights which! he found burning dim III
| the kitchen Offices and other servants
quarters on the lower floor lie would
| have thought the house empty The
| silence of an abandoned place in
formed it all-below the upper story.
But he was not to be satisfied Win
such negative evidence: he explored
the dwelling minutely, room by room,
story by story, passing with little in
terest through apartments by every
sign dedicated to the tendency OF his
mortal enemy, intent on one object
only--to find Rose Urine. that one
woman whom he loved, or else make
sure she was not there
He negotiated that last fight Of
steps which led to the topmost floor
with extraordinary stealth, advised
thereto 10y a sound. or rather Il series
of sustained sounds, which had there
tcfore been inaudible 70 him. Possibly
they had not till then existed: possibly
the man servant whom he found snor-
Ing in q chair inside a closed door
had not fallen asleep and begun to
Snore until the moment when Alan set
foot upon the lower step of that final
ascent.
Turning the head of the stairs.
Alan paused for little, speculatively
intent on this man who must somehow
be disposed Of before he might solve
the secret of that shut and guarded
door.
Aside from actual violence no solu-
ton offered to the puzzle-and VIC
lence was abruptly forced upon him.
No sound warned him of the COor
that opened at his back as he stood
watching the sleeping guard. a pierre
ing shrek was the first intimation he
received that his presence had been
discovered 1t served as well to move
him instantly into action: a single
glance overstouider showed him the
figure OF Il maid-serVant in cap and
gown, her mouth still! wide and full of
southland Alan fell upon the guard
like a thunderboit. The man had
barely time to jump up and recognize
the alarm: then a fist caught him on
TIE point Of his jaw. and he returned
promptly to deep unconsciousness.
No time now for qualms Of com
junction ON account Of the savage
ruthlessness of that blow; no time
even to search the fellow for key tc
the closed door: already the maid was
taking the stairs in full flight and cry.
four steps and 4 howl like q warlocks
to every jump.
Backing off. Alan took a short run,
cleared the PROSTATE body of the guard
with leap. and flung himself full
force against the door. his shoulder
striking q point nearest the lock. With
e splintering crash it broke inward
Without dignity or decorum he
spraw!ed on all tours into the presence
OF Judith Urine.
Poor Mr.. Law" she cried, with a
hooking nod, always disappointed!
I'm so sorry-truly am"
ooh, spare me your sarcasm" he
~;
enough, this whole mad business"
But I am not sarcastic" she insist
ed with such sincerity that he opened
his eyes in wonder. Believe me, |
am sorry for once it is and not Rose
whom you find locked up here! For,
you see. am locked up. By way Of
punishment-thanks to my having had
pity on You once too often-while my
father decamps mysteriously for parts
unknown"
You don't know where he's gone,
then?"
DO YOU" she asked sharply.
"In 4 general way BY special train
to the West"
Taking Rose?"
80 I'm told"
The woman choked upon her anger
but quickly mastered it.
HE shall pay for this" she assever.
ated.
Your father? wish him nothing
more nor less than your enmity." Alan
assured her civilly. ''But since it
seems that he has gone and Rose with
him. if you'll forgive me. think III
be going
"Alone?'
That one word, uttered with all the
significance that this woman knew so
well how 10 iufuse into her tone,
checked him suspiciously on the
threshold.
'Nhy-yes.'
you wouldn't care for companion
du voyage?" she suggested.
"Oh-really!" he protested.
She held up an arresting hand Lis
tent she begged.
From the street below C tme the un-
mistalable rattle of a policeman's To-
Gust en- the sidewalk.
That damned maid Alan OWNED
thoughtfully
The same Judith agreed with