Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-12-28

WHO! ana II deedS and hair could
Change so materially, why not spirits?
At least he was not the same as she
had feared and dreaded. There was so
much comfort.
And at last she lay down and slept.
CHAPTER XIV.
They were late coming into Wash
tngton, for the special had been side
tracked in the night for several express
trains. and the noisy crowd who had
Kept one another awake till after mid
Night made up by sleeping far into the
morning.
Three times did Gordon make the
Journey three AIRS front to see If his
companion OF yesterday were awake
and needed anything, but each time
found the curtains drawn and still,
and each time he went slowly back
again TO his seat in the crowded day-
coach.
1t was notSnntil the white dome of the
capital, and the tall needle OF the monu-
ment. were painted soft and vision-like
ngainst n sky, reminding one Of the
pictures of the heavenly city in the
story Of Pilgrims Progress, and family
suggesting a new and visionary world,
mat he sought her again, and found her
fully ready, standing In the aisle while
che porter put up the berth out Of the
way. Beneath the great brim of her
purple hat, where the soft fronds of her
plumes tremblcd with he motion of the
train, sha lifted sweet ayes to him, as
" h were both glad and frightened
10 see him And then that ecstasy shot
through him again, as he realized, sud-
denly what 1t would be to have her
FOR his ife-companion, to feel her looks
nI were all for him, and have
n right to take all fright away from
her.
They could only smile at each other
tor good morning, for everybody was
standing up and being brushed, and
pushing here M there for suit cases
And lost umbrellas. m everybody
talked loudly, and laughed a great
deal, and told how late the train was.
Then at last they were there, and could
get out n walk silently side by side
In the noisy procession through he
station to the sidewalk.
What little things sometimes change
y lifetime, and make for our safety or
our destruction! That very morning
three keen watchers were set to guard
b a station at Washington to hunt out
the government spy who had stolen the
stolen message, and take him, message
and all, dead or alive, back to New
York; for the man who could testify
against the Holman Combination was
not to be let live IL there was such a
thing as getting him Que of the way.
But they never thought to watch the
Special which was supposed to carry
only delegates to h great convention.
He could not possibly be on that! They
knew he was coming from Pittsburgh,
Tor they had been SO advised oy tele-
gram the evening before by one of their
company who had seen him buying. a
sleeper ticket for Washington, but they
felt safe about the Special, for they
had made inquiries n been told no
one but delegates could possibly come
on 1t: They mad done their work thor
oughly, and were on hand with every
possible plan perfected for bagging
their game, but they took the time
when thu Pittsburgh Special was ex-
F1cted to arrive for eating a hearty
breakfast in the restaurant across the
street from h station. Two of them
emerged from the restaurant In plenty
of time to meet the next Pittsburgh
train, just as Gordon, having placed the
lady m a closed carriage, was getting in
himself.
II the carriage had stood in any other
spot along, the pavement in front Of the
station. they never would nave seen
him, hut, as it was, they had q full view
OF him; and because they were Wash
ington men. and experts in their line,
they recognized him at once. and knew
their plans had failed. and that only by
extreme measures could they hope to
prevent the delivery OF the message
which would mean downfall and dis
aster to them nj their schemes.
As Gordon slammed shut the door of
two enemies pointing excitedly toward
him. and, he knew that the blood
hounds were on the scent His heart
beat wildly. His anxiety was divided
between the message n the lady.
What should he do? Drive at once to
49, 49, -" - Irl1{AA 49, laosr,>- NJ
message, or leave the girl at his rooms.
phone for a faster conveyance and
trust to getting to his chief ahead of
his purslerss
Don't let anything hinder you! Don't
let anything hinder you! Make it a
matter OF life and DEATH" rang the lit
tie ditty in his ears, and now it seemed
che message. And yet-"a matter of
life and DEATH He could not, must
not, might not. take the lady with him
Into danger. II he must be in danger
ef death he did not van to die having
exposed an innocent stranger to the
same
thought OF.
He had already told the driver to
take him TO his apartments, and to drive
~ rapidly as possible. It would not do
I o stop him nov and change the direc-
lions, for a pistOl-shot could easily
reach him yet; and. coming from a
crowd, who would be suspected? His
1nemies were standing on the threshold
~ place where there were many of
their kind To protect them, and none of
ht9Sfffends knew OF his coming. 1t
would be q ace for life from now on to
the finish.
&HsESelfA was looking out with interest
a. ~ streets, recOgnixing landmarks
lU~1fhEsN0nder. and did not notice Cor
19ns1SsWhites set face and burning eyes
- al Gfrained his vision to note how
horse Was going. Oh, IL the
1r~fvetSNould only turn on at the next
- sWatch the carriAgesso tar, but it
0Hl6fsllfkGIyy for this was. the mOsl
ScA@@Eoad and yet-yes, he had.
lfss@ 1oy!#STh street here. was 10
Hw1T tog h6d sought the mar