The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-11-16

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reception was held; even mingling with
the guests and watching until the bridal
couple left for the train. He had stood
in the ally in the shadow, the only n
of the guests who had found how the
bride was really going away and again
he had followed to the station.
He had walked close enough to the
bridegroom in the station to be almost
sure hat mustache and those heavy
eyebrows were false; and yet he could
rot make IL out. How could 1t be pos
sible that a mar who was going to be
married in a great church full OF fash
ionable people would SO dare to flirt
with chance as to accept an INVITATION
to q dinner where he might not be able
to get away for hours2 What would
have happened If he had not got there
in time? Was 1t in the least possible
that these two men could be identical?
Everything but the likeness n the
fact that he had followed the man so
closely pointed out the impossibility.
The thick-set man was accustomed
to trust his inner Impressions
thoroughly, and in this case his
inner Impression was that he u
watch this peculiar bridegroom and be
sure he was not the right man before
he forever got away from him-and
yet-and yet, he might be missing the
right man by doing it.. However, he
had come so far, had risked a good
deal already in following and in throw
ing himself on that fast moving train.
He would stay a little longer n find
out for sure. He would try and get q
seat where he could watch him n in
an hour he ought to be able to tell IL
he we're really the man who had stolen
the code writing. IL he could avoid the
conductor for a time he would simply
profess to have taken the wrong train
by mistake and maybe could get put
off somewhere near home, in case he
discovered that he was barking up the
wrong tree. He would stick to the
train for a little yet, inasmuch as there
seemed no safe way Of getting off at
present.
Having decided so much, he gave n
last glance toward the twinkling lights
Of the city hurrying past, n getting
up sauntered into the train, keeping a
weather eye out for the conductor. He
meant to burn no bridges behind him.
He was well provided with money for
any kind OF a trip and mileage books
and passes. He knew where to send
a telegram that would bring him in
slant assistance In case OF need, n
even now he knew the officer on the
motorcycle a reported to his en-
ployer that he had boarded this train.
There was really no immediate need
for him to worry. II was big game he
was after and one must take some
risks in q case Of that sort. Thus he
entered the sleeper to make good the
impression of his inner senses.
Gordon had never held anything SO
precious. so sweet n beautiful n
frail looking, in his rms. He had a
yet there was q longing to draw her
closer to himself and shield her from
| everything that could trouble her.
But she was not his-only q precious
trust to be guarded n cared for as
v~igilantly as the message he carried
hidden about his neck: h belonged to
another. somewhere. n was a sacred
trust until circumstances made 1t pos
sible for him to return her to her
rightful husband. Just what all this
might mean to himself, to the woman
in HE arms, and to h man whom she
was to LAY married, Gordon q not
as yet had time to think. 1t was as IL
he had been watching a moving pic
ture and suddenly q lot OF circum-
stances had fallen in a heap and be-
come all jumbled up together, the re-
suit of his own rash but transporting
steps, the way whole families have in
moving pictures Of falling through a
skyscraper from floor to floor. carrying
furniture and inhabitants with them as
they descend.
He had not as yet beer able to dis
entangle himself from the debris and
| find out what had been his fault and
what he ought to do about 1t.
He laid her gently on the couch of
the drawing room and opened the little
door of the private dressing room
There would be cold water in there.
He knew very little about caring for
sick people-he a always been well
and strong himself-but cold water
was what they used for people who
had tainted, he was sure. He would
not a In any n to help. unless it
was absolutely necessary. He pulled
the door Of the stateroom hut n
went after the water. AS he passed the
of himself. One false eyebrow had
come loose and was hanging over his
eye, and his goatee was crooked. Had
1t been SO all the time? He snatched
the eyebrow off, and then the other:
but the mustache and goatee were
more tightly affixed and 1t was very
painful to remove them. He glanced
back. and the white, limp look Of the
girl on the couch frightened him. What
was he about, to stop over his appear
! ance when she might be dying, and as
for pain-he tore the false hair roughly
from him. and. stuffing 1t into his
pocket, filled q glass with water and
went back to the couch. His chin and
upper lip smarted, but he did not mo-
tice It, nor know that the mark Of the
plaster was all about his face. He only
knew that she lay there apparently
lifeless before him, and he must bring
the soul back into those dear eyes. II
was strange. wonderful, how his feel
| ing had grown for the girl whom he
had never seen till three hours before.
He held the glass to her lips and
tried to make her drink. hen poured
| water on his handkerchief and awk-
wardly bathec her forehead. Some hair
pins slipped loose n a great wealth
OF golden brown hair fell across his
knees as he half knelt beside her. One
little hand dropped over the side of
the couch and touched his. He startedi
It seemed so cold and lifeless.
He blamed himself that he had no
remedies in his suit case. Why had he
never thought to carry something's
simple restorative? Other people
might need 1t though he did not. No
q ought to travel without something
for the saving OF life in an emergency.
He might have needed II himself even,
In case Of a railroad accident or some
| thing. zas Ei~~- ~ -a,
Ha 'slinned his arm tenderlv under