The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-12
Written. By Charles Goddard,
tho DiSfin 0uishnd Plaxyxri0hf
Playwright


go to the steeplechase."
And you preferred the steeplechase to
my y.y party'" o., u .s,a ..,, thar. v.r.
too many lions at your parties"
But in spite Of the timely parry, the story
of the steeplechase would out and Pauline
was the victim of all the evenings jests.
Owen. who did not lack for brains and was
a master of selfcommand, was a welcome
addition to the party. Elderly Mrs. Mccall
Ian was charmed by his deferential atten-
lions to her amid the riot Of the young
people and Mr.. McCallan pronounced him
"a highly intelligent man."
But as the party, tired from long boat
ing trip in the morning, was breaking up
early to go to bed. Owen arose and moved
slowly to the open door.
"The evenings are so magical, he said
turning to Mrs. McCallan.
From her great chair she beamed her ap-
prec1ative assent.
Owen stepped out upon the veranda. He
moved lazily toward the steps.
IF you wish to smoke on the veranda.
the door is always open. Good night" It
was the kindly voice of the hostess at the
door.
Il believe will take a short stroll over
your wonderful grounds" he answered.
"You will be perfectly safe. Good night"
Good night, Mrs. McCallan."
He smiled evilly into the dark as he
stepped into the foot-path. Perfectly safe
all of us, / presume" he murmured sar.
castically.
The CLEAN of his cigar revealed his prog
ress as he moved down toward the lake.
He stood and watched for several minutes
the restless waters. bright in the moon
path, chill and uncanny under the pine
shadows OF the shore. His cigar was out
(or perhaps he had thrown 1t away when
he came back up the path, passed the bung-
allow and sauntered up the moonlit road.
He stopped and listened intently. The
sound that he had heard-a low whistle
came again. He answered 1t and moved on.
Here, Master" said the voice of Bait
hazar from a thicket at the roadside.
Owen stepped out Of the glow of the moon
and was quickly beside the Gypsy chieftain
behind the copse.
"Are you alone?' he asked in a whisper.
Eyes"
"Where are the others?"
Behind me-in the forest"
"And the mountaineers?"
There were only four that I thought you
would trust, master. They are with u.s.
Good. Have you any plan, BalthaZar?
This is pleasant country for-plans."
The gypsy chief grinned his appreciation
Of the compliment.
"Yes," he said. you wish to lose both
the lady and the gentleman. Lose her. then.
in the forest. and my men will do the rest"
"How shall we lose her in the forest?"
Balthazar leaned close to his grim com
mander and spoke in whispers.
Owen bowed assent and stepped out of
the thicket.
when shall it be. masterf" the gypsy
called softly.
when the opportunity IL yours. There
Is plenty Of time"
Pauline slept restlessly. The injured
shoulder was by no means painless, although
she would have died rather than tell Harry
about It.
She fretted till the soft morning wind of
the mountains blew in the dawn.
She arose and peered through the curtains
upon the Weakening world. The birds were
singing in the forest; the bullfrogs croaked
their matin-matings. Out on the Gained
lake a pickerel 1eaped to greet the sun. The