The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-12-28

- ''1tl pSNii "a IL SlIoIl 1 lit, III
familiar scenes had brought her pleas
ure, for she recognized that she was
not in strange Chicago, but in Wash
inston. a city often visited. Somehow
she felt it 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:
i 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 was almost afraid
of revelation. what it might bring forth.
n so 1t came about that they took
the swift rid in more or less silence,
and neither thought it strange.
AS the carriage stopped, he spoke
with low, hurried voice, tense with ex-
element, but her own nerves were on
a strain also. and she did not notice.
w get out here"
He had the fare ready for the driver,
and, stepping out, hurried Celia into the
shelter of the hallway. 1t happened that
an levator a just come down., so it
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 it open,
and ushered Celia to q 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 the
homelikeness 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
which he was perfectly acquainted.
Perhaps it belonge to some friend. But
how, after an absence of years, could
ne remember just where to go, which
door and which elevator to take, and
how to fit the key with SO accustomed
a hand? Then her was ar
rested by his voice:
Give me 254 L please" he said. :.
is this 254 l.? Is Mr.. osborne
n You say he has not gone
to the office yet? May I speak
with him? Is this Mr. Of
know my voice Yes, sir; just
arrived, and all safe so far. Shall I
bring it to the house or the office?
l.. The house? All right.
sir. Immediately. By the way,
am sure Hale n Burke are on my
track They saw ms at the station.
/. To your house? You
will wit until / come? An
right, sir. Yes, Immediately. :.
Sure, I'll take precaution. !.
Good-by."
With the closing words came a tap
at the door.
Come, Henry he answered.. as he
astonished girl turned toward the door.
Henry, you will go down, please, to
n restaurant, n bring up a menu
card. This lady will 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 noun, 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.
She had suddenly become aware of a
strange, d%istraught haste il his man
ner, and when ne said he was going
out alarm seized her, she, could not tell
| why.
The ia bowed d~eferentially to his
master, looked his admiration and de-
votion 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:
.s46! Is this the Garage?
This the the Harris apart
ments. Can you send Thomas
with a closed a to the rear door i'm
mediately? Yes. No.
l want Thomas, and a car that can
speed. Yes. the rear door,
rear, and at once. What?
What's that? But i
must. It's official business.
Well, I thought so. Hurry
them up. Goodby."
He turned and saw her troubled gaze
following him with growing fear in her
eyes.
What is the matter?" 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 a matter OF pres
sing business. I'm sorry to have to go
from you for a little while, but 1t is
necessary. I CANNOT explain to you UNI
TIL return. You will trus. me? You
will no worry?"
Il will try!"
Her lips we're quivering, and her e
were filled with tears, Again he felt
THAT intense longing to lay his lips upon
hers and comfort her, but he put il
from him.
There is nothing to feel sad about
he said. smiling gently. 1T is nothing
tragic only there is need for haste, FOR
AZ wait, I may fail yet tits some
thing that means, a great deal to me
When | come back I will explain All"
a. she said. putting out her hands
I'm q gesture of resignation, as il she
would hurry him from her. And
Though she was burning to know what
Iit all meant there was that about rim
that compelled her to trust him and e
wait. #
Then his control almost ven from
him. He nearly took those hands n
his d kissed them. but he did not. IN
stead.ehe went with swift steps to his
bedroom door. threw open q chiffonier
drawer. and took therefrom something
small and sinister. She could see the
Eleam OF It's polished metal, and she
Esensed q strange little menace In the
lsltck as he did something to II. she
Icculd not see what because his hack was
70 her. He came out with his hand Is