River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-04-06


The light, gushing from the Opaque
hood, made the safe door a glare, and
was thrown back into her intent young
face Even SO, he would have recog-
nized the sharp silhouette cut by her
1.-the, sweet body against the glow, the
poise OF her head, the carriage Of her
shoulders, the gracious bosom round
ing her tailored coat.
She was all in black, even to her
gloved hands-no trace OF white or any
color showing on her person but the
fair curve of her cheek below the
mask and the red Of her lips. And IL
that were not enough, the intelligence
with which she attacked the combina-
ton and the confident, businesslike
precision that distinguished her every
action proved her an apt pupil in that
business.
His thoughts were all weltering in
misery and confusion. He knew what
this encounter meant, appreciated that
It explained many things he would
have thought questionable had not the
strength Of his infatuation forbade him
70 consider them at all; but in the pain
and anguish of that moment he could
entertain but one thought, which pos
sessed MIN altogether-the thought
that she must somehow be saved from
the crime she contemplated.
But while he delayed, shrinking from
the necessity OF discovering himself
to her. it was made clear that she had
become sensitive to his presence.
He had made no sound since she en-
tered, had not even stirred; but some
how she had divined that someone was
there, in the recess of the window,
watching her.
In the act of opening the safe
working the combination from that
very sheet of paper on which he had
made memoranda OF its sequence-he
saw her pause, freeze to pose of at
tention, then turn to stare directly at
the portiere behind which he was con-
cealed. And through an eternal Sec
ond he watched her kneeling there, SO
still that she seemed not even to
breathe, her gaze fixed and level, wait
ing for some sound, some tremor OF
the drapery folds to confirm her sus-
piciOn.
When at length she stirred 1t was to
rise in one swift, alert movement.
And now as she paused with her slight
shoulders squared and her head thrown
back defantly, challengingly, he knew
she Knew he was there.
AS if without will OF his own, but
drawn irresistibly by her gaze. he
stepped out from hiding.
And since he was no more the Lone
Wolf, but now simple man in agony,
with no consideration for their situa-
ton, with no thought for the fact that
they were both housebreal1ers and that
the slightest sound might raise a hue
and cry upon them, he took faltering
step toward her, stopped, flung forth a
hand with a gesture Of appeal, and
Stammered:
''Lucy-you-"
His voice broke He waited.
She didn't answer other than to re-
coil as though he had offered to strike
her, and she commenced to retreat,
wearing a look of utter grief and
Indebtedness, until presently the table
stopped her, and she leaned back
against it. as if glad of the support.
Obi" she cried, trembling-'wh why
why did you do it,"
He might have answered her in
kind, but self-justitlcation passed his
power. He couldn't say: Because to-
night you made me lose faith in life
ITSELF and / thought to forget you by
going TO the devil the quickest way
knew-this Although that was
true. He couldn't say: Because, q
thief from boyhood, habit proved too
strong for me, and couldn't withstand
temptation! for that was untrue.
He could only hang his head and
wretchedly confess: Il don't know"
AS if he hadn't spoken, as if she
hadn't heard, she cried again. ''Why-
OH why-dld you do it? was SO proud
OF you, so sure Of you-the man who
had turned straight because OF me!
It compensated. But now!"
Her voice broke in short, dry sob.
Compensated" he repeated stupid
ly.
Yes, compensated" She threw
back her head with gesture Of impa-
thence. For this-don't you under
stand?-for this that I'm doing! You
don't suppose I've come here Of my
own accord?-that / went back to Ban
non for any reason but to try to save
you from him? l knew something of
his power, and you didn't; knew, if l
went away with you he'd never rest
until he d you murdered, If he had
60 follow you round the world to do it!
And / thought If / could mislead him
by lies for a little time-long enough
e. give you opportunity to leave
TfAnce-I h0aght-perhap could