New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-07-15
CHAPTER II.
The \AEo~or
'T was then that the power OF

thought returned to me. How
ever gliby those two conspira-
tors might gild over the affair it
assR nevertheless was criminal matter to
,sfSaWhich had blindly committed myself.
However. l had no thought of with
draWal from the contract. for. while
saw the danger involved and realized
the illegaity. yet failed utterly to
perceive any real evil. l did not doubt
the truth Of all that had been told
me and was willing to assume the
risk. The $4,000 would be "easy
money"
Not a glimmer of light appeared
from within the house l had Just left.
and l drew my hat down over my
eyes and stared about, listening. The
hour could not be far from midnight.
the night dark, the air heavy with
mist.
The light fell slantingly across the
stone steps in front and revealed a
narrow opening through the brick cop
ing beyond. l crept cautiously for
ward until crouched behind the brick
coping. There was not a disturbing
sound, and l Strengthened up, essaying
the first step forth into the full CLEAN
of the light Like some confronting
IS. ghost, scarcely more real than a phan-
ksf1tom of imagination, l came face to
~ face with a woman.
W. She had turned swiftly into the mar
row gateway leading through the brick
coping, hurrying silently as if pursued,
her foot barely planted upon the step
when we met. l stopped, speeches.,
rigid, my outstretched hand gripping
the rail, but the woman drew hastily
back, her lips parted in a sudden sob
: of surprise, one hand flung out as if
2 in self protection. 1t was instantane-
Gus. Yet before either could move
s~otherwise or utter a word of explana-
ton a heavy football crunched along
, the walk, and burly police officer, his
24star cleaning ominously in the dull
Night, rounded the corner dozen feet
way.
;"Here, now, an what are ye oop too,
ele fine buck?" he questioned roughly,
swinging me about into the light.
4Give an account O. yerself moighty
Tquick 'er I'll run We in
~ The girl, still staring blankly at me,
S%must have perceived how instructive
lily shrank back, my lips moving in an
SsisSfimpotent effort at speech. Some sud
den impulse changed her fright into
sglfSympathy. She started forward just
II a step.
" Nothing in the least wrong. officer"
her voice trembling slightly, yet sound
ing clearly distinct. "He-he was
Dance"
"Whut dancer"
"Over - over there on Forty third
street."
"An' do yer live here?' the grutf
tone still vibrant with suspicion. Fer
it ye do yerre sure a new gurl,' and
he peered at her Swallowed face in the
dim light. She drew in her breath
sharply.
NO. her voice steadying, now she
, realized she must carry out the decep-
ton; my place is three blocks yet,
around the next corner"
'"Thets prutty thin story, miss.
Then whut wus the two ov yer dom
in here?'
II had my foot on the step tying my
shoe,' she explained simply. You
don't arrest people for that, do your"
It was plain enough the officer was
puzzled, yet he reluctantly released his
grip on my arm.
cts half Oh behave yer stringin me
roight now" he announced doubtfully,
"but Oil give yer Their benefit ov the
doubt. Don't let me run across yer
along this beat agin ternight. Go on.
nowr'
felt her hand touch my sleeve tim
idly and caught swift glimpse of her
eyes We must carry out the decep-
ton now and go away together. With
out venturing to speak or glance
around we walked forward into the
enveloping mist. Her fingers, for ap-
pearances' sake, barely touched the
rough cloth of my sleeve. All this had
occurred so swiftly, so suddenly, that
was yet bewildered, unable to de-
eide on course of action. The girl.
noticed, was breathing heavily from
excitement. her eyes cast down upon
the wet pavement. Once, beneath the
glow of the lamp at the first corner. l
ventured to glance slyly aside at her
in curiosity, mentally photographing
: the clear outline of her features, the
strands of light brown hair struggling
rebelliously from beneath the wide
brim of the hat There was more than
mere hint Of character about that
resolute mouth. the white contour of
cheek.
At the second street intersection she
turned east, advancing toward where
passing trolley cars promised some life