Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1919-08-01
CHAPTER xx-contInued.

heard the wnlter gathering down the
stairway, and then went swiftly down
the hall TO No. 80. Mr.. Prosser was
sleeping just as soundly and as re-
soundlngly ms at midnight
by gad !" he muttered. half-aloud.
Everything was ms clear ms 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.
lie found n letter In his box when
ne went downstairs. after stuflng the
Vim box deep into his pocket. Before
he slit the envelope he knew that
Sprouse was the writer. The message
was brief:
"After due consideration, I feel that
u would be n mistake for you 10 aban-
don your present duties at this time.
II 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
IL positively uncanny."
He read between the lines, and saw
there n distinct warning. II had not
occurred to him that his plan to leave
Tor New York that day with Miss Cam
eron might be attended by dlsnstrous
results.
But tho Jewels7 what OF themi He
could not 20 gal~llvantlng about the
country with II half million dollars
worth OF precious stones In his posses
sion.
lie spent the early mart OF the fore
noon In wandering n~ervOusly about
the hotel-upstalrs and down. The
jewels were locked In his pack up-
stairs. He went up to his room half
n dozen times and almost instantly
walked down again. after satisfying
himself that the pack had not been
rlned.
For the next three days and nights
rehenrsnls were In fill swing. with
scarcely n moments let-up. And so
tho time crept by, up to the night OF
the performance. Miss Cameron re-
mnlned In Ignorance OF the close prox.
Unity OF the Jewels, and the police OF
Crowndale remained In ever denser
Ignorance MS to the whereabouts OF
the man who robbed Mr.. Hasselweln
OF all his spare cash and an excellent
gold witch.
No time was lost by the countess In
getting word 10 her cOmpntrlots I'm
New York. Barnes posted n dozen let.
tiers for her each contained the It'd
ingS OF her snfety and the assurance
TINT she would SOC follow I'm person.
Those three days ana nights were
full OF joy and enchantment for
Barnes. lie actually debased himself
by wishing that the Rushcroft com.
pnny might find It Imperative TO go on
rehenrslng for weeks Ia that dim, en-.
chnnted temple.
lie sat for hours In n OF the most
uncomfortable seats he had ever
known, %deyourlng with hungry eyes
the slndowy, Interested face so close
10 his own-nnd never tired.
on the afternoon of the dress re.
honrsnl he led her, after IN hour Of
ulllNNA NlnNllNfiNNif ffIIfNfHfNi 10
the rear of the auditorium. Dropping
into the seat beside her ne bhlrted
out, almost IN anguish;
~ can't stand Il amy niger. I can
not be near you wlthout-why. II
well. @ Is more than | can struggle
against that's all, You've either got
30 send me away altogether or-or-
let me love you without restraint. |
tell you / cnu't go on M | am now.
You know / love you, don't your You
know / worship you. Don't be fright
cned. | Just had TO tell you today.
] should have gone mad n ! had tried
20 Keep It up amy longer" He waited
brcnthlessly FOR her 10 speak. She sat
silent and rigid, looking strplght be
fore her. is II hopelessT" he went
on nj last. huskily. "Must | ask our
forgiveness for my presun ption and
and 20 away from your"
She turned 20 him and laid her hand
upon his arm.
"Am | not like other women7 Why
should / forgive you for loving met
Doesn't every mi wan to be
lovedf No. no, my friend Wait |
A moment ago I was so weak and
trembly thst | thought lob. l was
afraid COR myself. Now l am quite