The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-01-04

me a the driver began to race like
mad through the streets. / didn't think
much of 1t at first until he had been
going some time, fully long enough to
have reached East Liberty, and the
horse was still rushing like a locomo-
tive. Then l saw that we were in a
lonely district of the city that seemed
unfamiliar. That alarmed me and /
tapped on the window and called to
the driver. He paid no attention. Then l
found he doors were fastened shut, and
the windows plugged so they wouldn't
open.
II discovered that an armed man rode
beside the driver. l managed to get n
OF the doors open after a good deal OF
work, and escaped when we stopped
for a freight train to pass; but I'm
satisfied that / was being kidnapped
and If l hadn't got away just when j did
you would V have heard of me
again or the message either. l finally
managed to reach East Liberty station
and jumped on the first train that
came in, but | caught a glimpse OF
Balder stretching his neck over the
crowd. He must have seen me and had
Hale n Burke or the watch when L
got here. They just missed me by a
half second. They went over to the
restaurant-didn't expect me on a spec
ial, but l escaped them, and I'm mighty
glad to get that little paper into your
possession M out of mine. It's rather
a long story to tell the whole, but 1
think o have the main facts"
There was a suspicious glitter in the
keen yes Of the kind old chief as he
put >out his hand and grasped Gordon's
in a hearty shake; but all he said was:
And o are all worn out-rn guar
antee o didn't sleep much last night"
We'll, no." said Gordon; II had to
sit up In a ~day-coach and share the seat
with another man. Besides, ! was some
what excited"
"Of course, of COURSE" puffed the
old chief. coughing vigorously, and
showing by his gruff attitude that he
was deeply affected. well, young la
this won't be forgotten by the depart
ment. Now, you go home m take a
good sleep. Take the whole day off IL
you wish, and then come down tenor
row morning and tell me all about it.
Isn't there anything more L need to
know at once that justice may be
done?"
II believe mot" said Gordon. with a
sigh Of relief. There's a list of the men
who were at the dinner with me. l wrote
them down from memory last night
when / couldn't sleep. / also wrote a few
scraps of conversation, which will show
you just how deep the plot had gone. If
l had not cad the message and known
it's import, l should not have understood
what they were talking about"
Hem! Yes. IL there had been more
time before you started | might have
told you all about it. Still, IL seemed
desirable that you should appear as
much at your ease as possible. |
thought his would be best accom-
plished by your knowing nothing of the
import of the writing when you first
met the people"
Il suppose 1t was as well that I did
o know any more than | did. You are
a great chief, sir! i was deeply i'm
pressed anew with that fact as l saw
how wonderfully you had planned for
every possible emergency. 1t was sim
ply great, sir
Pooh! Pooh! Get you home and to
bed" said the old chief quite brusque-
ly.
He touched a bell and a man APP
peared.
'Jessup, is the coast clear?" he asked.
"Yessah," declared the darkey. 'Dey
have just he'd a couple o. shots in de
pahke, an now dey TUX de villains off
TO de p'lice station. De officers is out
der waitin' to 'scort de gemmah."
Get home with you, Gordon, and
don't come to the office till 10 in the
morning. Then come straight to my
private room"
Gordon thanked him and left the
room, preceded by the gray haired
servant. He was surprised to find
the policemen outside, and wondered
still more that they seemed to be go
ing one in front n h other behind
him as he rode along. He was greatly
relieved that he had not been called
upon to give the whole story. His heart
was filled with anxiety now TO get back
to the girl and tell her everything, and
yet he dreaded IL more than anything
he had ever had to face in all his life.
He sat back on the cushions and. coy-
ering his face with his hands, tried to
think how he should begin. but he
could see nothing but her sweet eyes
filled with tears, think Of gathing but
the way she had looked and smiled
during the beautiful morning they had
spent together in the little town of Mil
ton. Beautiful little Milton. Should
he ever see it again?
Celia at her window grew more and
more nervous asian hour and then an
other half hour slipped slowly ava
and still he did not come. Then two
mounted policemen rode rapidly down
the street following an automobile, IN
which sat the man for whom she
waited.
She had no eyes now for the men
who had been lurking acroS the way,
and when she thought TO look for them
again she saw them running in the
opposite direction as fast as they could
go, making wild gestures for a car to
stop for them.
She stood by the window and saw
Gordon get out of the car, n disap-
pear into the h,,'Illug below, saw the
CA Vhe-2 AID cure away, and the
police take III their stand on
either corner; heard the clang of the
elevator as it started un. and the clash
of Its door as il stepped at that floor;
heard steps coming IN toward the door,
and the key in the latch. Then size
turned and looked pr him, her two
hands clasped before her, and her two
eyes yearning, glad and fearful all at
once.
"Oh, I have been so frightened about
you! / am so glad you have comet
she said. n caught her voice in a
sob as she took n little step toward
him.
He threw his hat upon the floor,
| wherever il might land, and went to
meet her. q great light glowing in his
tired eyes. his arms outstretched TO
hers.
And did you care?'' he asked in a
! voice of almost awe. Dear, did you
care what became of me2"
q ~ tAHA 50 hAr 49,,