The log cabin Democrat., 1914-12-18

side him. Lucille clung to the man, sobbing from nervous reaction even as the. car shot through the night. t
 The whine of a bullet sounded over- head, another and yet again another She dared not look back. The papers warmed through the flesh against which they pressed, warmed through her body and to her very heart itself But Hugo Loubeque knew the method of her departure, knew what she car ried with her. And already she knew Hugo Loubeque was working to over take her.
 Low in the seat beside the driver crouched Lucille with the precious pa apers and rubies in the waiting auto mobile the butler had arranged for himself
 Suddenly she leaned forward, beat ing her little fists together, urging the Mexican chauffeur to accelerate his speed. The man smiled down at her, shaking his head to signify he did not understand the words, even as he stepped on the clutch and shot the car forward like huge arrow newly re- leased from the bow, and behind some where upon the same road there was another machine with determined man in it, man who had never yet allowed machine or man or even the elements to thwart him.
 Then came the dull crunching sound from before her. The ear swerved viciously, swung in such an abrupt circle she clung to the side of her seat to avoid being hurled out The driver lighted his machine swiftly, dexter Ously, and she started to heave a huge sigh of relief.
 But only started to, for the front wheels suddenly slipped, seemed smoothly to be gliding upon a surface of nothingness, clawing for foothold- The chauffeur reversed heavily, fought with his wheel, but vainly.
 Then the heavy car lost balance, tilt ed heavily and rolled down, down. down.
 Lucille felt no fear./ It was all too deadly for that. She was only con scious, even as her tiny hands clutched the edge of her seat, of droning sound from behind that was growing into the rhythmic hum of motorcar.
 Came long period of delicious lan- guor, of sinking, much as though she foated upon ether; harsh, crunch ing jolt and blackness-merciful uncon- sciousness that closed black shutters ho al xyic{ nF nd brought a sweet smile to the lips that had been frightened so long. Sleep
 Lucille pieced together happenings vaguely after that; then dismissed them as of no account. Nothing ap- peared to matter. She was comfort able and partially content. She recol lected for a fractional space of time being lifted and carried away by strong, friendly, pitying arms. The memory passed immediately with the coming of an impression of swift trav- el in a motorcar, which, in turn, gave way to the more sharply etched i'm preSsion of being wheeled aboard a train in an invalid's chair. Then came vision of the lean, powerful face of Loubeque close to her own, the gentle whisper of his voice close to her ear. calling her name over and over again. while. matching the suffering in his tones. were the deeply carved lines of agony upon his face. Over and over again the man called to her. and yet she knew it was not to her he call ed. but to the mother whom she re- sembled.
 She felt all her sympathy going out to this man who had proved such a bitter enemy, who had brought such catastrophe upon her and hers and who would again prove so relentless should she attempt to take advantage of his temporary weakness to appeal to- the better side of him. tr
 Undoubtedly Loubeque was again in possession of the papers. Suddenly she felt that he had conquered his emotions and moved away. She slow. ly opened her eyes and looked about. She was in her own private compart- ment on the train. She was alone.
 Tremulously. fearful yet almost posi- tive her hands would not encounter that which she sought, she touched her bosom. The feel of the necklace and papers reassured her. drove away the last mists of unreality.4 Where she was going she did not know nor care. With the precious papers she could do anything. Simultaneously with the thought came one of terror. Vague at first, it spread over her spirit like a veil that obliterated all light, all hope.