Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-10-01

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he went downstairs. after stufiing the
tin box deep into his pocket. Before
he slit the envelope he knew that
Sprouse was the writer. The message
was brief:
4 "After due consideration, feel that
i 1t would he a mistake for You to ADAM
don your present duties at this time.
It might be misunderstood. Stick to
the company until something better
turns up. With this thought In view !
withdraw the two days limit men
toned recently to You, and extend the
time to one week. Yours very truly,
~. b. WILSON"
"Gad, the fellow thinks of every
thing" said Barnes to himself. HE
is positively uncanny."
He read between the lines, and saw
there a distinct warning. It had not
occurred to him that his plan to leave
for New York that day with Miss Cam
eron might be attended By disastrous
results.
But the jewels1 What OF them7 he
could not go gallivanting about the
country with half million dollars
worth Of precious stones in bis posses
sion.
He spent the early part Of the fore
noon In wandering nervously about
the hotel upstairs and down. The
Jewels were locked In his pack mp
stairA He went up to his room half
4 dozen times and almost instantly
walked down again. after Satisfying
himself that the pack, had not been
Fided. y,
For the next three days and nights
rehearsals were In full swing. With
scarcely moments let-up. And %
the time crspt BY, up to the night Of
the performance. Miss Cameron 70
mained In ignorance Of the close prox-
Unity OF the Jewels, and the police Of
Crowndale remained In even denser
ignorance a. to the whereabouts Of
the man who robbed Mr.. Hasselwein
ofsall his spare cash and an excellent
gold watch.
No time was lost By the countess III
getting word to her compatriots in
New York. Barnes posted =, dozen let
tefs for her: each eOntAined the i'd
inss of her safety ana the assurance
that she would soon follow In person.
Those three days and nights were
full Of Joy and enchantment for
Barnes. He actually debased himself
~ wishing that the Rushcroft com
pany might mad It imperative to 90 on
rehearsing for weeks In that dim. en-.
chanted temple.
He sat for hours in one Of tho most
uncomfortable seats he had ever
known. devouring with hungry eyes
the shadowy, interested face. 80 close
to his own-and never tired.
On the afternoon Of the dress re-
hearsal he led her, after an hour OF
almost insupportable repression, to
the rear Of the auditorium. Dropping
into the seat beside her he blurted
out, almost In anguish:
II can't stand It any lnger. I can
not be near you with0ut-why, IL
well, 1t u more than ! can struggle
against, that's all. You've either got
TO send me away altogether or-0r-
let me love you without restraint. !
tell you can't 60 on as ! am now.
You know love you. don't your You
know worship you. Don't be fright
ened. I Just had to tell you today.
I should have gone mad II / had tried
to keep 1t up any longer" He waited
breathlessly for her to speak. She sat
silent and rigid. looking straight be-
fore her. SIS 1t hopelessy he went
on at last, huskily. 'Must I ask your
forgiveness for my presumption and
and go away from your
She turned to him and laid her hand
upon his arm.
"Am not like other women! Why
should / forgive you for loving me!
Doesn't every woman want to be
loved1 No. no. my friend! Wait!
A moment ago was SO weak and
trembly that thought Lob. was
afraid for myself. Now l am quite
calm and sensible. See how well I
have myself In hand! do not
tremble. am strong. We may now
discuss ourselves calmly, senstbly.
Oh! What are you dolngr
II too am strong" he whispered. Il
am sure Of my ground now, and l am
not afraid"
He had clasped the hand that rest
ed on his sleeve and, rs he pressed It
to his heart, his other arm stole over
her shoulders and drew her close to
his triumphant body. For an instant
she resisted, and then relaxed into
complete submission. Her head sank
upon his shoulder.
ooh" she sighed. and there was
wonder, joy--even perplexity. In the
tremulous sigh Of capitulation. "Oh.
came softly from her parted lips again
at the end of the nrst long passionate
kiss
CHAPTER XXI.