Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-01-05
CHAPTER XIV.

Meantime. Gordon was speeding
aWaN to another part OF the city by the
fastest time an experienced chauffeur
dared 10 make. About the time they
turned the first corner into the .en,!c
two bur!v policemen sauntered casu-
ally into the pretty square in front OF
the house where lived the chief Of the
secret service. There was nothing
nDout their demeanor to show that
they had been detailed there by spe~
cial urgency, and three men who hur-
tied To the little park across the street
from tho house could not possibly know
that Their leisurely and careless stroll
was the :"sult of a hurried telephone
message from the chief of police
headquarters Immediately after his
message from Gordon.
The policemen strolled by the house,
greeted eacb other. ana walked Oh
around TIE square across the little
park. They eyed the three men sitting
tGly OF II bench, and passed leisurelv
on. They disappeared round u corner,
anG To the three men were out of the
way. The Inter did not know the hid
der places where the officers took up
their watch. and when an automobile
appeared, and the three stealthily got
up from their park bench and dis
bery near the walk, they knew not tina
their every movement was observed
With Keen attention. But they did
wonder how II happened that those two
policemen seemed to spring out of the
ground suddenly, just as the auto came
to . halt in fronto OF the chiefs house.
Gordon sprans out and up the steps
With a bound, h door opening before
him as if he were expected. The two
grim anu apparently indifferent police
tnen stood outside like we stone
images ON guard. while up the street
with rhythmic sound rode two mounted
police, also coming to a hal before the
house as il for n purpose. The three
men III the bushes hid their instru-
mefts of death. and would have SUNK
away had there been a chance: but,
Burning TO make a hasty flight, they
were met by three more policemen.
There was the crack of a revolver as
one of the three desperadoes tried q
last reckless dash for freedom-and
called. The wretch went to Justice
with his right arm hanging limp by
}lis side.
inside the house Gordon was deliv-
erins UP his message. and as he laid it
before his chief. and stood silent while
Ihe. elder man e and pondered it's
dremendeus import. 1t occurred to him
Tor the hrst time that his chief would
require some report of his journey, and
the hindrances that had made him a
*vhole day Late in getting back to
Washington. His heart stood still with
sudden panic. What was he to do?
HOW could he tell it all? What right
had no to. tell of his marriage to an
unknown woman? A marriage that
perhaps Was not a marriage. He could
40 know what the outcome would be
uhtH he had told the girl everything.
AS far as he himself was concerned he
knew that the great joy of his life had
come to him in her. Yet he could not
hope that it would he SO with her.
ana he must think of her n protect
ner gooo name in every way. If there
should be such q thing aver as that she
should consent to remain with him and
De nus wife he must never let a soul
KNOW but what the marriage had been
pianned long ago. 1t would not be
iaif to her. 1t would make life intoler-
able FOR them both either together or
apalt,.s And while he might be and
!ldlnS in his chief. and asking him to
keep silence about the matter, still he
Ielt. that ever, tlat would be q breach
OF faith with Celia. He must close his
ups upon the story until he could talk
with her and know her wishes. He
grew a sigh of WEAKNESS. 1t was a
tonS, hard way he had come. and n
was not over. The worst ordeal womb
De his confession to the bride WIN We,
not his wife. ""
The chief looked up.
Gould YOU make this out, Gordon p,
ne asked noting keenly the youne
snans weary eyes. the strained, tense
! look about his mouth.
Oh Yes sir; saw 1t at once. WA
almost AFRAID my eyes might betray
the secret before I got away with it,"
lhen YOU KNOW what you have saved
n eonntEy and what you have beer
Horth to the service" o.
ks. I'ln is Il; vVntN 1.-SA - xxx
"Ihank you. sir" he said, looking
Gown. II understood 1t was important
am glad ! was able to accomplish
The errand without failing"
i1avs you reason to suppose you
at the station in this clty?" =
Yes, sir: ] am sure there were de-
after me as IA leaving New
York. Ihey We're suspicious oil, me, ]
saw one OF the men who had been al
lne dinner with me watching me. The
threw him Oft, He wasn't sure. Then,
there was. q man.-you know him, Bald
Ar-at Piftsburgh?-'
pittsburgh"
s.Yes.syou wonder how I got to Pitts
6urEh. You see. | whs' Swallowed almos,
reached, the station. In. New York / was
sure Irecognizedsthis man who had SAT
opposite me a few minutes before. j
suppose my disguise. which you SO
th0uehtfGlly provided. bothered him,
Tor though he followed me about at o
little Aistaiacs he didnstsspea 20 me. ]
cufnstaI1ces perInittld. and perhnps the
fact that Il was : Chicago train made
him think Nj swassmistakua ..n me. Any
how / baw no more OF him after the
tain left the station. Rather unex-