Grand Forks herald., 1919-07-26

It seemed an age to him before they
stopped at his apartments. To Celia,
it had been but q short ride, in which
familiar scenes had brought her
pleasure, for she recognized that she
was not in strange Chicago, but in
WASHINGTON. q city often visited:
Somehow she felt 1t was an omen of
a better future than she had feared.
"Oh, why didn't you tell me?' she
smiled to Gordon. ut is Washington.
dear, old Washington"
Some how he controlled the tumult
IN his heart and smiled back, saying
in a voice quite natural:
II am SO glad you like it."
She seemed to understand that they
could not talk until they reached q
quiet place somewhere, and she did
stead-she looked from the window.
or watched him furtively. comparing
him with her memory of George
Hayne, and wondering in her own
thoughts. She was glad to have them
to herself for just this little bit, for
now that the morning had come she
was almost afraid of revelation, what
1t might bring forth. And SO 1t came
about that they took the swift ride in
more or less silence, and neither
thought it strange.
AS the carriage stopped, he spoke
with low, hurried voice, tense with
on strain also, and she did not no
tice.
we get out here"
er. and, stepping out, hurried celia
into the shelter Of the hallway. 1t
happened that an elevator had just
come down, so it was but a second
more before they were up safe in the
hall before his own apartment.
Taking latch-key from his pocket,
he applied It to the door, flung 1t open,
and ushered Celia to a large leather
chair in the middle Of the room. Then,
stepping quickly to the side Of the
room, he touched bell, and from it
cuse me, please, this is necessary" to
the girl who sat astonished, wonder
ing at the homelikeness Of the room
and at the "at-homeness' Of the man.
She had expected to be taken to a
hotel. This seemed to be a private
apartment with which he was perfect
ly acquainted. Perhaps 1t belonged
to some friend. But now, after an
absence Of years, could he remember
just where to 80. which door and
which elevator to take, and how to
III IAC nCy Will 60 ACCuSIOIaSO u
hand? Then her attention was az
rested by his voice:
: "Give me 254 L please" he said.
"ls this 254 l.? Is Mr..
not gone to the ONCE " yets ~ ne aas
May I speak with him? -. Is
this Mr.. Osborne? =. did not
expect you to know my voice. :.
Yes. sir; just arrived, and all safe
50 50 tar: Shall bring it to the house
OF 'he All 1mce rirbt. .ir the Tered3stsiy nGuss
" BY the way, am sure
Hale 15, and Burke are on my track.
They saw me at the station. :.
To your house? You will
wait until I come? All right,
sir. Yes, Immediately Sure.
I'll take precaution. -. Good
by"
With the closing words came a tap
at the door.
Come Henry" he answered., as
the astonished girl turned toward the
door. Henry. you will go down,
please. to the restaurant. and bring up
a menu card. This lady will select
what she would like to have, and you
room as soon as possible. shall be
out for perhaps an hour. and. mean
time. you will obey any orders she
may give you"
He did not introduce her as his
wife, but she did not notice the omis-
sion. She had suddenly become
aware of strange, distraught haste
in his manner. and when he said he
was going out alarm seized her, she
could not tell why.
The man bowed deferentially to his
q ut lAALAA III
votton to the lady, waited long enough
to say:
Use mighty glad to see you safe
back, sah-" and disappeared to obey
orders.
Celia turned toward Gordon for an
explanation, but he was already at the
again:
This, is The Harris Apart.
With closed Can " yo1 -, sens rho
No' s%ne1iaat'Y %ant Thomas, and Yes; e., that can
rear, and at once. what?
must. It's omcial business.
f. Well, thought so. Hurry
them up. Good.by."
He turned and saw her troubled
gaze following him with growing fear
in her eyes.
what is the matter?" she asked
Has something happen
ed?"
Just one moment he paused, and.
coming toward her. laid his hands on
hers tenderly.
Nothing the matter at ALL" he
said soothingly. "At least nothing
that need worry you. 1t Is just mat