Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-06

after that send up the gentleman who brought that
note, by the Broadway elevator"
eyes, Sir" the youth mumbled adoringy to his tip
CRAVEN stood watching the figures of Lydia and the
bellboy diminish down the perspective of the long
corridor until they turned almost block dis
tant, into the wing of the building; then, stepping in
side, he shut the door, and with adroit movement
produced an automatic pistol, weapon of such small
caliber that its bulk made noticeable bulge in his
coat pocket, yet of murderous efficiency at close
quarters.
CHAPTER XIX
TIP through that wonderful pearbordered vista that
stretches northward to apparent infnity, speeding
with jar and barely sound other than the low
contented drone of its motor, the taxcab chose the
northwest of seth street the most nconvenen
spot attainable to blow shoe with report
infinitely more alarming than pistol shot; then
skdded toward the sidewalk like thing possessed by
suicidal MANIA designing to leap the curb and dash out
its brains against an inohensve residence.
But Lydia had drawn luckily in New Yorls's gigantic
lottery of chauffeurs. This knew his business.
Before the girl had recovered from the shock of the tire
explosion and the subsequent shaking up he had
brought his machine to standst, jumped down, and
communing with himself in terms of confidential
profanity concerning the ruined tire.
Then, opening the door, he announced that this
the last STOP Sorry he said 3but got spare tire
and if had I'd need half hour to make the change
Now I'll have to wait for the repair car"
A prey to vague mstrust, Lydia got out. The rain,
decorating the hghswung opaescent globes of the twin
electric with svery halos, dimmed the distances
with spectral wells of gray. Southwark the lay
black and lonely for the 1urchng lights of
calmly bus cropping gngery way the treacherous
wet asphalt; to the north the plaza like well in
the air, shot through and through with glimmering
light.
Il don't know what to do Lydia ventured in her
distress "I'm stranger in New York" With
admission
prove.
But her chauffeur prosaic soul, who had never
chartered his gang and rocked little of the ter
of New York for the overseas immigrant. 3The
clock says dollar twenty, he responded with dis
gusted jerk restoring the alag" to perpendicular.
3Oh!" said Lydia brightly, after blank moment;
and found her purse and gave the dollar and
half
3Got no change" he explained trucuently
3You may keep it,
@Thanks."
aBut please tell me the way to the nearest cab
rank"
2Cab rank" term not in this chaufeur's vocabu-
larry; but he grappled manfuly with its occult signf
canoe. 1You mean stand,' he explained not unkindy.
off you don't mind walking with couple O. blocks,
I'll take you to the Margrave. That's about the
est, and anyway I got to telephone for the repair
car"
4Thank you," said Lydia timidy-g gratitude leaping
her heart to that kind destiny which had ordered this
accident in just this spot. The Margrave!
Silencing his motor, the led the way northward
through the drzzle Before splenddy shining portals
that contributed their full to the flood of light
in the well Of the plaza he drew up, with nod ndi-
eating stone sentry box at side of the entrance.
you'll find the starter in there" he announced.
He'll get you another taxi. Goodnight
3Thank you G1odnight.'
YDIA marched resolutey into the hotel. She would
= be delayed not five minutes longer than if she
to engage another cab Immediately. Let Craven object
f he nr,lnan he had