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

\ dared to make. About the time they
turned the first corner into the avenue,
two burly policemen Sauntered caSu-
ally into the pretty square in front of
the house where lived the chief Of the
secret service. There was nothing
about their demeanor to show that
they had been detailed there by spe-
cial urgency, and three men who hur-
ried to the little park across the street
from the house could not possibly know
that their leisurely and careless stroll
was the result Of a hurried telephone
message from the chief of police
headquarters Immediately after his
message from Gordon.
The policemen strolled by the house,
greeted each other, and walked on
around the square across the little
park. They eyed the three men sitting
idly on q bench, n passed leisuTcly
on. They disappeared aroun a corner
and to the three men were out Of the
way. The latter did not know the hid
den places where the officers took up
their watch, and when an automobile
appeared, and the three s~tealthily got
up from their park bench and dis
tributed themselves among the shrub
berry near the walk, they knew not hat
their every movement vas observed
| with keen attention. But they did
wonder how it happened that those two
policemen seemed to spring out of the
Il bAOuitu ouddCklly, JhS dS lie dulo GdfIe
to q halt in front of the chiefs house.
Gordon sprang out and up the steps
with a bound, the door opening before
him as If he were expected. The two
grim and apparently Indifferent police
men stood outside like two stone
images on guard, while up the street
with rhythmic sound rode two mounted
police, also coming to a halt before the
house as If for a purpose. The three
men in the bushes hid their instru-
ments of death, I'M would have skunk
away had there been a chance; but,
turning to make a hasty flight, they
were met by three more policemen.
There was the crack of a revolver as
n OF the three desperadoes tried a
last reckless dash for freedom-and
failed. The wretch went to justice
with his right arm hanging limp by
his side.
Inside the house Gordon was deliv-
ering up his message, and as he laid il
before his chief, and stood silent while
the elder man e and pondered its
tremendous import, it occurred to him
for the first time that his chief would
REQUIRE some report of his journey, and
the h~indrances that had made him a
whole 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 he to tell Of his marriage to an
unknown woman? A marriage that
perhaps was not a marriage. He could
not know what the outcome would be
until 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 woul be so, with her.
And he must think of her and protect
her good name in every way. If there
should be such a thing ever as that she
should consent to remain with him and
be his wife he must never let a soul
know but what the marriage had been
planned long ago. 1t would not be
fair to her. 1t would make life intoler-
able for them both either together or
apart. And while he might be and
doubtless was perfectly safe in con-
fding in his chief, and asking him to
keep silence about the matter, still he
felt that ever that would be a breach
OF faith with Celia. He must close his
lips upon the story until he could talk
with her and know her wishes. He
drew a sigh of WEAKNESS. 1t was a
long, hard way he had come, and it
was not over. The worst ordeal would
be his confession to the bride who was
not his wife.
The chief looked up.
Gould you make this out, Gordon ?"
he asked, noting keenly the young
mans weary eyes, the strained, tense
look about his mouth.
"Oh, yes sir; | saw it at once. / was
almost afraid my eyes might betray
the secret before i got away with it,
Then you know what you have saved
the country, and what you have been
worth to the service
The r1ung man flushed with pleas
ure.
h you, SIR he said, looking
down. i understood it was important,
L md / DNn otaa mo ah1a fa
/ the errand without falling"
Have you reason to suppose you
were followed, except for what you saw
at the station in this city,"
yes, sir; am sure there were de-
tectives after me as / was leaving New
YORK. They We're suspicious of me. |
saw one Of the men who had been at
the dinner with me watching me. The
oisguiSe--and-Some circumstance
threw him off. He wasn't sure. Then,
there was a man-you know him, Bald
er-at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh"
Yes, you wonder how | got to Pitts
burgh. You see, L was Swallowed almost
from the first L suspect, for when /
reached the station in New York | was
sure L recognized this man who had sat
opposite me a few minutes before. /
suppose my disguise. which You so
thoughtfully provided, bothered him,
for though he followed me about at a
little distance he didn't speak to me. L
had to get on the first train that cir
cunStanceS uarrttted- and parha.nsN +ha
fact rnas II was a chicago train made
him think he was mistaken in me. Any
how | saw no more of him after the
train left the station. Rather uneX-
pectedly i found | could get the drawing
room compartment. and went into ius-
mediate retirement, leaving the train
at daylight where ii was delayed on a
side track, AID walked across country
till / found a conveyance that tool me
to Pittsburgh train. 1t didn't seem
feasible TO get away from the Chicago
train IN sooner as the train made no
further stops, and il was rather late at
night by the time l boarded it. l
thought / would run less risk by MAX
Ing a detour. i never dreamed they
would have watchers out for me at
Pittsburgh. and | can't think yet how
they managed TO get on my track, but
almost the first minute / landed / spied
Balder stretching his neck over the
crowds. l bolted from the SIS ton at