The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-28

stopped at his apartments. To Celia,
it had been but a short ride, in which
familiar scene had brought her pleas
ure. for she recognized that she was
not in strange Chicago. but in Wash
ington. a city often visited. Somehow
she felt 1t was an omen of a better
future than she had feared.
'..Oh, why didn't you tell me?" she
smiled to Gordon. 1T Is Washington,
dear old Washington"
Somehow he controlled the tumult In
his heart and smiled back, saying In
a voice quite natural:
Il am so glad you like it."
She seemed to understand that they
could not talk until they reached a
quiet place somewhere, and she did not
trouble him with questions. Instead
she looked from the window, or watched
him furtively, comparing him with her
memory Of George Hayne, and wonder
ing in her own thoughts. She was
glad to have them to herself for just
this little bit. for now that the morn
ing had come she vas almost afraid
of revelation, what it might bring forth.
And so 1t came about that they took
the swift ride in more or less silence,
n neither thought ii strange.
AS the carriage stopped, he spoke
with tow. hurried voice, tense with ex-
element, but her own nerves were on
a strain also, and h did not notice.
1--WE get u here"
He had the fare ready for the driver,
and. stepping out, hurried Celia into the
shelter of the hallway. It happened that
an elevator had just come down, SO 1t
was but a second more before they were
up safe in the hall before his own
apartment,
Taking a latch key from his picket,
he applied 1T to the door, flung 1t open,
and ushered Celia to a large leather
chair in the middle of, the room. Then,
stepping quickly to the side Of the room,
he touched a bell, and from it went to
the telephone, with an Excuse me.
please, this is necessary" to the girl,
who sat astonished, wondering at thu
homelikeness OF the room and at the
"at-homenessY of the man. She had
expected to be taken to a hotel. This
seemed to be a private apartment with
Which he was perfectly acquainted.
Perhaps 1T belonge to some friend. But
how, after an absence of years, could
he remember just where to go, which
door n which elevator to take, and
how to fit the key with so accustomed
a hand? Then her attention was ar
rested by his voice:
Give me 254 l. please he said. /.
rs this 254 l.? Is Mr.. Osborne
in? -. You say he has not gone
TO the office yet? . May / speak
with him? . Is this Mr.. Os-
borne? l did not expect you to
KNOW my voice Yes, sir; just
arrived, and all safe so far Shall /
bring it to the house or the office?
/. The house? All right,
sir, Immediately. . BY the way,
l am sure Hale and Burke are on my
track. They saw me at the station.
|. To our house? You
will wit until ] come? All
right, sir. Yes, Immediately. . +.
sure, III take p~recaution. /. 1.
With the closing words came a tap
at the door.
Come, Henry" he answered. as the
~astonished girl turned toward the door.
Henry, you will go down, please, TO
the restaurant, M bring up q menu
card. This lady viii select what she
would like to have. and you will serve
breakfast for her in this room as soon
as possible. / shall be out for perhaps
an hour, and, meantime, you will obey
any orders she may give you"
He did not introduce her as his wife,
but she did not notice the omission.
h had suddenly become aware of q
strange, distraught haste in his man.
ner, and when he said he was going
out alarm seized her, she could not tell
why.
The man bowed d~eferentially to his
master, looked his admiration and de-
yotion to the lady, waited long enough
to say:
Use mighty glad to see you safe
back, sah-" and disappeared to obey
orders.
Celia turned toward Gordon for an
explanation, but he was already at the
telephone again:
"46! Is this the Garage?
This the the Harris apart
ments. Can you send Thomas
with a closed car to the rear door i'm
mediately? . Yes. . = No,
1 want Thomas, and a car that can
speed. Yes, the rear door
rear, and at once. . What?
What's that? = = But ]
must. . . = It's official business.
l., Well, l thought so. Hurry
them up. Goodby."
following him with growing fear in her
What is the natter" she asked
anXiously. Has something happened %
just n moment he paused, and
coming toward her, laid his hands on
hers tenderly.
Nothing the matter at ALL he said
~soothingly. AT least nothing that need
worry you. 1t Is just q matter of pres
sing business. I'm sorry to have to GO
from o for a little while, but ii is
necessary. i cannot explain to YOU un-
til | return. You will trust me? You
will not worry?"
Il will try!"
Her lips were quivering, and her eyes
were filled with tears. Again he felt
that intense longing to lay his lips upon
hers and comfort her, but he put II
from him.
There is nothing to feel sad about
he said, smiling gently. TT is nothine
tragic only there is need for haste, 70
If | wait, l may fail yet 1t is some.
thing that means a great deal to me
When come back / will explain ALL"
Co she said, putting out her hands
in a gesture of resignation, as if she
would hurry him from her. And
though she was burning TO know wha,
II all meant there was that about him
that compelled her to trust him and tc
wait.
Then his control almost went from
him. He nearly took those hands in
his and kissed them, but he did not. In.
: stead. he went with swift steps to his
bedroom door, threw open a chiffonie,
drawer. and took tperefrpm something
t small and sinister. She could see tho
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