Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-12-15
A Dangerous Connection.

power car VINO permit themselves re-
straint upon an open road. But the
machine that crept along the avenue
in this sparsely settled portion of sub
urban Los Angeles seemed almost
crippled. Everything passed it--eyen
horse-drawn vehicles.
And one horse in particular kept al.
ways on ahead. This horse was An
nette kingdoms.
There We're four people in this car
and three of them were waiting for
the inevitable to happen They crept
on and on-always two hundred yards
behind.
"Ah!" exclaimed Hernandez finally.
lit eats in"
He was quite right. Suddenly the
horse ahead swerved sharply to one
side, violently shook its head and neck
--leaped frantically into the air, and
then, with q violent burst OF speed.
tore down the road like fire.
Hernandez increased his speed to
twenty miles-to tweuty-five-but the
horse tore on before him. Annette
was riding like the wind--but she had
lost control
Joe, in the car behind, Ieaped to
his feet and tried TO force his way
from the car. Let me out" he cried,
struggling; Il got her into this, and
I'll get her out"
Hernandez turned to the Brute.
Hold him." he commanded. And the
Brute obeyed.
Inez Castro now was on her feet.
Look--look-look," she cried, "the
horse is mad-he'n kill her-look--
ah-ah-"
1t was al over. In one final burst
of frenzy the horse had leaped high
in the air, and come down on all fours.
not on the solid road, but in the ditch.
Annette was flung violently from her
steed-and struck the ground with a
thud. The horse, freed of his burden,
sped on-up the road-sped on.
Hernandez stopped his car. Joe
leaped out and ran to Annette.
She's killed" he said
Hernandez followed him. "If so, we
cannot help IT," he returned calmly.
IF she's killed, / did it, you black
guard cried Joe, remorsefully.
Inez bent over the girl. "She's not
dead, she said, she's very much
alive. She's only stunned"
Hernandez motioned to the Brute.
Carry her to the car" ne commanded.
And the Brute again obeyed.
Now. slowly" commanded Inez OF
Hernandez, until revive the girl"
They were in open country now
the community was but sparsely set
tied. Hernandez glanced warily from
side to side.
I'VE must make haste" lac mused,
taking a grass-grown road to the
right
He stopped the car before a house.
1t was an ordinary dwelling. There
was no sign of life about it. The
grass in the dooryard was foot high
Everything appeared unkempt. But
in the parlor window was a sign. To
let, furnished Hernandez stepped in
to the dooryard and peered into the
windows
Well let it furnished free-gor q
short time" he said
He forced the door and entered.
All the comforts of home" he said.
smiling, fetch in the girl
Back in the city, Neal, off duty once
again, sought Annette at her hotel
shes gone again-alone," said Mrs
Hardin. she would go. She's so rest
less she couldn't sit still"
Neal smiled. tie was not worried
He got saddle horse and started
off in the direction taken by Annette.
Back in the deserted furnished
house Hernandez stin looked about
him.
We can hide here till doomsaay,
he laughed, 'running water too. Look
here. Everything hut food-every-
thing. Look-yondes on the mantel-
even pen and ink This place was
meant for us" he bowed low. "Ah,
my charming friend Senorita ling
ton he said to Annette who had re-
covered consciousness and vas star
ing about her in establishment, you
have had long sleep-and pleasant
dreams | hope"
He drew down the shades and
switched on the light.
See" he added, you have slept
till evening-pretty sluggard. And
how is your good health. No bones
broken. That is we'll"
Annette did not answer. Suddenly
she leaped to her feet
"Joe,' she cried, Joe WeIcher-you
here?'
Yes returned Hernandez, again
bowling. Joe is here-he has always
been herewith US. Joe is our good
friend. We owe him much-mucn."
He turned sneering smile on Well
cher. Annette uttered an exclamation.
-Joe-Joe,' she cried, lis it-true?"
Joe turned away-his chest heaying.
his eyes upon the floor. Jaw, I'm no
good" he muttered
Never mind, Joe, fair one" said
Hernandez, taking from his pocket
legal document already carefully pre-
pared, I'VE have business at hand.
This document-you should really
know what it contains. It is in proper
shape. assure you A bit soiled per-
haps, from long disuse in my breast
pocket-but well worded. Look-it is
complete. It is even acknowledged
before q United States consul in Cen
trail America acknowledged by you.
fof~