Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-12-27

his friends knew Of his coming. II
would be Il race for life from now on te
the finish.
Celia was looking out with interes,
at the streets. recognizing landmarks
with wonder, and did not notice Cor
don's white. set face II burning eyes
as he strained his vision to note how
fast the horse was going. Oh, if the
drive would only turn off at the next
corner into the side street they could
not watch the carriage so far, but it
was not likely. for this was the most
direct road. and yet-yes, he had
turned! JOY! The street here was So
crowded that ne had sought the mar
rover. less crowded way that he might
go the faster.
1t seemed an g to him before they
stopped at his apartments. To Celia,
it had been but a shor ride, in which
familiar scenes a brought her pleas
urc. 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 IT 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
rouble him with questions. Instead
she looked from the window, or watched
MIN 1urtlvely, comparing him with her
memory OF George Hayne, n wonder
ing In her WI thoughts. She was
glad to have them to herself for just
ing had come she was almost afraid
OF revelation. what it might bring forth.
ana so 1T came abou that they took
the swift ride in more or less silence,
n neither thought it strange.
AS the carriage stopped, he spoke
win low, hurried voice. tense with ex-
citelnent. but her own nerves were on
q strain also. and she did not notice.
w get out here"
tie mad the fare ready for the driver,
and, stepping out. hurried Celia into the
shelter OF the hallway. 1t happened that
an elevator had just come down. so it
vas but a second more before they were
up safe in the hall before his own
apartment.
Iaking a latch key from hi; picket,
lie applied 1T TO the door, flung it open.
and ushered Celia to q large leather.
CHAIR IN the middle of the room. Then.
Topping quickly to the side of the room,
we with an Excuse me.
Please, this is necessary" to the girl,
VINO sat astonished, wondering at the
nomeiikeness of the room and at the
'at-homeness" of the man. She had
expected to be taken to a hotel. This
seemed to be a private apartment with
Wnlcn ne was perfectly acquainted.
Perhaps it belonge to some friend. Rut
now, after an absence of years, could
ne remembe just where to go, which
door n which elevator to take. and
nov to fit the key with so accustomed
a nand? Then her attention was ar
rested by his voice:
Give me 254 l. please" he said.
rs this 254 L? Is Mr. sa Osborne
m? You say he has not gone
with him? Is this Mr.. Os-
polme l did not expect you to
arrlved, and all safe so far. Shall I
bring it to the house or the Office?
The house? All right
sir. Immediately. Bv the wav
! am sure Hale and Burke are on NV
track. They saw me at the station.
-, . To your house? You
WILL Will wit until come? All
Sure: ri take precaution. :.
With the closing word came q tan
at h door. p
Come. Henry" he answered. as the
astontshed girl turned toward the door.
henry, You will go down. please, to
Inc M bring up a menu
caro-; This lady will select what she
would like to have. and you will serve
breakfast for her in this room as soon
as possible. 1 shall be out for perhaps
an hour. and, meantime, you will obey
any orders she may give you.'
he liz not introduce her as his wife.
but h did not notice the omission.
She had suddenly become aware Of a
strange. dtstraught haste in his man.
ner, and he said he was going
out alarm seized her. she could not tell
why.
master. looked his admiration and de-
votion to the lady. waited long enough
to say:
"I'se mighty glad to see you safe
back, sab and disappeared to obey
orders.
Celia turned toward Gordon for an
explanation, but he vas already al the
telephone again: II
4 s : Is this the Garage?
This the the Harris apart
ments. Can you send Thomas
with q closed q to the rear door Inn
Immediately? Yes. Sc = No.
l want Thomas, and q a that can
speed. Yes. the rear door.
must. It's official business
Well. ! thought so. Hurry
them up. Goodby."
He turned nj saw her troubled gage
following him with growing fear in her
eyes.
What is the matter?" h asked
anxfOusly. "Hss something happened?"
o one m0meUt he paused, and.
coming toward her. laid his banda on
hers tenderly.
Nothing the natter at ALL" he said
Esooehtngly. a least nothing that need
N3slz ou. Il is gust z matter of pree-