The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-11-06
CHAPTER xx--continued.

stairway, and then went swiftly down |
the hall to No. 80. Mr.. Prosser was
sleeping just as soundly and as re-
soundingly as at midnight
"By gnd" he muttered, half-aloud. |
Everything was as clear as day to him |,
now Boiling into his own room, he
closed the door and stood stockstill |
for many minutes, trying to picture
the scene in the cottage.
He found letter in his box when |
he went downstairs. after stufling the
sin box deep into his pocket. Before
he slit the envelope he knew that
Sprouse was the writer. The message
was brief:
"After due consideration, feel that
II would be mistake for you to aban-
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,
~. II. WILSON"
"Gad, the fellow thinks of every
thing" said Barnes to himself. HE
is positively uncanny."
He read between the lines. and saw
there distinct warping. 1t had not
occurred to him that hts plan to leave
for New York that day with Miss Cam
eron might be attended by disastrous
results.
But the Jewels? What of them? He
could not go gallivanting about the
country with half million dollars
worth of precious stones in his 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 up
stairs. He went up to his room half
a dozen times and almost instantly
walked down again, after satisfying
himself that the pack had not been
rified.
For the next three days and nights
rehearssls were In full swing, with
scarcely "A moments Iet-up. And SO
the time crept by, mp to the night Of
the performance. Miss Cameron re-
mained In ignorance of the close prox-
unity Of the jewels, and the police of
Crowndale remained In even denser
ignorance as to the whereabouts of
the man who robbed Mr.. Hasseiwein
of all his spare cash and an excellent
gold watch.
No time was lost by the countess in
getting word to her compatriots In
New York. Barnes posted dozen let
ters for her; each contained the It'd
ings Of her safety and the assurance
Those three days and nights were
full Of Joy and enchantment for
Barnes. He actually debased himself
by wishing that the Rushcroft COM
pany might find II imperative to 60 on
rehearsing for weeks in that dim. en-
chanted temple.
He sat for hours In one OF the most
uncomfortable seats he had ever
known. devouring with hungry eyes
the shadowy. interested face so 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 1t any lnger. l can.
not be near you wlthout--why. IL
To 4 IL
against. that's all. You've either goi
10 send me away altogether or--or-
.iet me love you without restraint.
tell you l can't go on us / am now
You know love you. don't you? You
know worship you. Don't be fright
ened. just had to tell you today
should have gone mad II l had tried
to keep It up any longer" He waited
breathlessly for her to speak. She sal
silent and rigid. looking straight be
fore her. els 1t hopeless?" he went
on at last. huskily. Must 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 bt
loved7 No, no, my friend! Walt
A moment ago 1 was so weak ant
trembly that thought I-oh, was
afraid for myself. Now I am quite
calm and sensible. See how well
have myself in hand? I do MOI
tremble, am. strong. We may nov
discuss ourselves calmly. sensibly
Oil What are you doing?"
II too am strong" he whispered. Z"
am sure of my ground now. and / an
n0t afraid"
He had clasped the hand that rest
ed on his sleeve and. as he pressed 4
20 his heart. his ether arm stole ovel
hm shoulders and drew her close 4
~ b1snrhxns body Fer an tnstan