River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-10-08

TO avoid being hurled out. The driver
righted 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 surface
Of nothingness, clawing for a foothold
The chauffeur reversed heavily, fought
with his wheel. but vainly.
Then the heavy car lost balance. tilt
ed heavily ard rolled down. down.
down.
Lucille felt no fear. 1t was all too
deadly for that. She was only con
scious, even as her tiny hands clutched
the edge of her seat of a droning
sound from behind that was growing
into the rhythmic hum of motorcar
Came a long period of delicious Ian
guor. of shaking, much as though she
hoated upon ether; a harsh, crunch
ing Jolt and blackness-merciful uncOn,
seriousness that closed black shutters
across the mental vision of her and
brought a sweet smile to the lips that
had been frightened so long. Sleep
Lucille pieeed 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-
bected for a fractional space Of time
being lifted and carried away by
strong, friendly, plying arms. The
memory passed Immediately with the
coming Of an impression of swift trav-
ell in mOtoroar, which, in turn. gave
way to the more sharply etched im-
preston Of being wheeled aboard
train ia an. 4nvalid's chair Then came
, a vision Of the lean. powerful face Of
LoabeQue 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 1t was not to her he call
ed. but to the mother whom she re-
sembled.
She felt AL 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.
Undoubtedly Loubeque was again in
possession Of the papers. Suddenly
she felt that he had conquered his
emotions and moved away. She slow
" opened her eyes and looked about.
She was in her own private compart-
ment on the train. She was alone.
TREMENDOUSLY, 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 treasured her, drove away
the la@t aa&saS of unreality. Where
sak* hSses a@ she did not know nor
caxe, W2Ek Ahe precious papers she
se1sAd de anything. simultaneously
with the tbOaght came one Of terror.
Vague at first, it spread over her spirit
like veil that obliterated all light, all
hope
AS though forcing herself against her
will, she closed her eyes and drew
forth the bundle and necklace. Yes.
there could be no doubling the gen
uineness of the rubies Their scintil
liant hlster was fairly binding. But
she paid them little heed. Her fingers
hnr
snapped open. Then a little cry OF
rage and cbagrin came from her lips
The packet upon the table had evi-
IDENTIFY been nothing but blind. Hugo
Loubeque had taken no chances with
the stolen papers even while awake.
She had stolen a sheaf of worthless
waste paper. The international spy
still held the whip hand.
She clinched her pretty teeth tightly
together even as she kept repeating to
herself over and over again the Ques-
ton of why-why had he bothered to
pursue her when he knew how she had
been misled; why had he not allowed
her to go her way and leave him safe
to transact the last act in his plan Of
revenge? Why-why-why had he
taken to himself so dangerous an en-
envy?
She knew he was fond of her, fond
of her in the same way her own father
was. but what Of that? Alone, with
the ruby necklace, she had sufficient
means TO do as she pleased and be per-
fectly safe from any danger
But was she safe from any dangerI
Had she not been in danger before?
Yes, on the train. And the reason was
because Thompson knew she held the
ruby necklace. Thompson was one to
be feared and respected.
Softly she slipped down the vesti-
buIed aisle. She had reasoned out the
answer. Thompson had escaped Lou
beque and, foiled in his attempt to
gain the necklace, was still In the pur-
suit
Swiftly she stepped down the aisle,