Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-12-09

SASo iiioIo BIO lcit LILO Hsuo BIOp-
ingly upon her. 1t came from the
back side of her bed. reaching ap-
parently from the very walk And
then she heard voice Whispering
BE still do not hurt you. BE
still"
1t was woman's voice, soft, sibi-
Lent, hushed, and the frozen grip OF
fear was broken. She was trembling
now uncontrollably.
who is there?'
SSH" came the warning re-
Spouse, and then. her eyes staring
into the shadowy recess. she saw the
curtains at the back side OF the bed
were parting as a figure appeared
between them.
Give me a box. book-something
to put here In this lock-" command
ed the voice peremptorily and in a
daze Arlee found herself extending q
| magazine across the bed toward the
half-seen figure. who turned and
busted herself about tho curtains a
moment. then came straight across
| the bed into the room beside Arlee.
Nov you see who am" said the
astonishing intruder calmly.
Mutely Arlee shook her head, SEQ
| ing only a figure about her own
height clad In q dark negligee. Dunn
| founded, she stood watching while
her visitor deliberately lighted a can
die.
"So-that Ii better" she observed
and In the light Of the tiny taper be-
tween them tho two stood facing
each other.
Arlee saw girl some years older
than herself, small. plump. rounded
creature, with a Haunting and in
souciant prettiness. Her eyes were
dark and bright, her babyish lips
! were full and scarlet. her nose was
whimsically uptilted. Dark hair curl
ed closely to the vivid face and fell
| in ringlets over the white neck.
you don't know me?" she said in
| establishment ut Arlee's eyes of Won
der. HE has not told your" Incre-
dulity. impertinent and hooking,
darted- out Of the dark eyes. What
you think then-you what got my
room?"
your room?" Arlee echoed faint
| ly. She flung a quivering hand to-
ward the bed. "How did you get in
here? I locked the door"
You see how camel came by
the panel" She waited a moment
watching the wide blue eyes before
her, the parted lips, the white cheeks
in which the blood WIS slowly steal
ing back. and incredulity gave way
to astonished acceptance. You don't
know that, either? That 10 worry
funny"
did you lock it?" was Arlee's next
breathless question. What was that
you said about putting In a maya
zine? Did you leave It open?'
The other girl reached quickly and
caught her arm. as Arlee turned to-
ward the bed. mo. no. II it goes shut
we cannot open it inside" she warn
ed. 'It does not open this side un-
less you have the key. It opens from
without. But he will not come in
now--he is at the Khedive's palace.
We are all right"
"But I want to get away" cried
Arlee. She turned upon this other
girl great eyes Of pitiful entreaty.
eyes where the dark shadows about
them lay like cruel bruises on the
white flesh. II must get away at
once. Won't you help me?"
"Help you? would help myself, II
could. But there is no way out
It is no USE" The unknown girl spoke
with bitterness that brought con-
viction. Piteously the flare of hope
and spirit wilted.
You are sureT' she questioned
family "There is no way out?'
mo way, no way!" The other
shook her head impatiently. do !
not know? Let US talk Of that again.
Now l came to see you, to see what
pretty face had sent me packing!"
She laughed, but there was ugliness
in the laughter, and catching up the
candle she held u before Arlee, he,
face impudently close, her eyes black
darts of curiosity.
We'll you are pretty enough" she
said coolly. "Hamdi has always the
good taste. But do you think you viii
keep my room from mt.-h'm?"
II do not want your room," said
Arlee with passionate intensity. 81
do not yaht to stay here. want only
to go away. Oh, there must be a
way. Please help me please" She
choked and broke down. the tears
hot in her eyes.
The other girl abruptly drew her
| down on the couch and settled her
self beside her among the cushions
"Here-be comfortable--let us be
comfortable and talk" she said. do
not cry so--What, you are 30 soon
| sorry? You want to be Off"
Desperately Arlee steadied her
shaking voice. Il must go at once.
You got enough SO soon?"
Enough" was the quivering echo
What you come for then?"'
Come fdf? did not know what
was coming into. thought-but tell
me" she broke off, to demand, tell
be about the plague. Was there any
quarantine at all? How soon was q
over? What is really happenin17"
Quar-quar-what you mean7"
THE plague7 Has there been q
plague here? Have people had to
stay in the palace on account Of it?
"Oh-h!" The indrawn breath was
eloquent of enlightenment. rs that
something's he said to you"
Yes. yes. Isn't it true? WASN'T
| there any plague?"
With eyes Of dreadful apprehension
she saw the other shake her head in
vigorous denial. mo plague" she
said devisively. my maid--she know
everything. No sickness here"
Then 1t was all lie." Arlee's eve.
| fixed themselves on the dancing can.