Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-05-13

Goodnight"
staircase. while the mistress of the
salon toward the library.
At this, swinging back to the girl in
a stride, and impulsively grasping her
wrist to compel attention, Lanyard
spoke in rapid whisper, mouth close
beside her cheek.
This way" he said, imperatively
drawing her toward the window by
which he had entered. There's a bal.
cony outside-a short drop to the
ground" And unlatching the window,
he urged her through it. .Try to leave
by the back gateway-the one
showed you-avoiding Ekstrom-"
"But you are comingi" she insisted
hanging back.
Impossible. There isn't time for us
both to escape undetected. / shall keep
her interested only long enough to give
you plenty of time to get away. But
take this"-and he pressed his auto
matte into her hand. "No-take it.
I've another" he lied, land you may
need it. Don't fear for me, but go
oh, my heart-gol"
sounding ominously near by this time
and without giving the girl more time
to protest, Lanyard thrust her forcibly
through the windows, closed them
shot the latch and stole like ghost
round the farther side of the desk
pausing within few feet of the screen
and safe.
The footsteps were muff1ed by rug
in the drawing room-the woman was
walking slowly. heavily, like one
weary and thoughtful.
Where the girl had placed it, behind
the cinnabar screen, the desk-lamp was
still alight, and Lanyard knew that the
diffusion of it's reflected rays was
enough to project his figure in silhcu
cite against the glow distinctly visible
to one on the threshold.
Now everything hung upon the tenn
permanent of the householder, how she
would take that apparition-whethel
| quietly, deceived by Lanyard's mum
ming into believing she had only e
poor thievish fool to deal with, or with
bourgeoise hysteria.
In the latter event, Lanyard's hand
was ready planted, palm down, on the
top of the desk; should the other at
tempt to raise an alarm, single bounc
would carry the adventurer across it il
| full flight for the front doors.
In the doorway the mistress of the
house appeared and halted, quick
| glinting eyes shifting from the glow
on the floor to the dark figure of the
thief. Then, with quick gesture, put
| ting forth a hand, she found the chan
| delier switch and turned on a blaze
| of light.
As this happened Lanyard covered
lifting an elbow as if to guard bis facs
AS If expecting to find himself under
| the muzzle of a revolver.
The gesture had the calculated eff
| feet of focusing the attention of the
| woman directly to him, after one swift
| glance round had taken in the curtain,
that were still swaying at the window
| and shown her a room tenanted onl.
| by herself and a cringing thief. AND
Immediately it was made manifest that
| whether or not deceived, she mean
to take the situation quietly, If with
strong hand.
Her eyes narrowed and the muscles
OF her square and almost masculine
jaw stood out ominously as she looked
the intruder UP and down in silence
Eventually a flicker of contempt mod
Grated the grimness of her dark coun
tenance. She took three steps for
ward, stopping on the other side of the
desk, her back to the doorway.
Lanyard trembled visibly.
| Welli"-the word doomed like tn,
opening gun of an engagement. We'll
my man."-the shrewd eyes swerveC
to the closed door of the safe ant
| quickly back-again-"you don't seen
to have accomplished great dealt"
| Lanyard gripped the edge of thu
desk. quivering.
For Gods sake, madame" he blurt
ed in a husky, shaken voice. nothin,
Bke his own-"don't have me arrest
ed! Give me chance. 1 haven
taken anything Don't call the f1icsl
He paused, lifting an uncertain hant
toward his throat. as if his tongue hat
gone dry.
Come, comet" the woman answered
with look almost of pity Il haven
called anyone-as yet"
The fingers of one strong white han,
were drumming gently on the top o
the desk; then, with a movement 81
quick and sure that Lanyard himsel
could hardly have bettered it, the.
slipped to a handle-of drawer, jerke,
it open, closed round the butt of re
yolvcr and presented it at Lanyard
head.