The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-08-14


recognize that this had reference to
the Cavendish case. The thought Of
personal danger never once entered
her mind. Timidity was not part of
her nature and she gave this phase OF
the matter no thought. But she must
! all that had occurred. She would send
| him note the first thing in the morn
| ing.
| Somewhat treasured by this reason
| ing, She was still seated there, staring
| out into the night. when Enright and
! BeatOn returned. Stella heard the
| tread of horses feet before her eyes
| distinguished the party approaching,
! and she drew back cautiously. In the
| glow of the light she could perceive
| four men in saddle halt in front OF
! the hotel. three of whom dismounted
and entered the building, the fourth
i grasping the reins Of the riderieSs am
mails and leading them up the street.
| She heard the murmur of voices be
| low and the heavy steps Of the men as
they came slowly up the stairs. Then
door opened creakinsly and she
caught the sound of woman voice,
is that you, Ned?"
Sure; what are you doing up at
this hour?'
Never mind that Who have you
got with your
"Enright and Lacy-whyE
|
| minute; don't make so much noise
=. voice or two grumbled. but feet
shufIled along the bare floor and the
door creaked again rs il was careluliE
closed behind them Stella opened her
own door crack and listened: the
hall lighted only by single oil-lamp
at the head of the stairs, was desert
ed and silent. She stole cautousi! LOT
ward hut the voices in Miss La Rue
room were muffled and indiStnct, not
an audible word reaching her ears
The KEY was in the lock, shutting OUT
all view of the interior. Well, what
was the difference? She knew "ha'
WAS occurring within-the stolen teie-
gram was being displayed, ana dis-
cussed. That would not delay them
long and it would never DO for her u
he discovered in the hall.
Convinced of the uselessness OF re
mining, she returned to her OWL
room. closing and boiling the door.
This time she removed some OF mel
clothing, and lay down on the pea
conscious of being exceedingly urea
vet in no degree sleepy. she res1et
there. with wide-open eyes hsteh'hs
until the distant door creaked again
and she heard the footsteps OF th'
mon in the hall. They had not re
manned in the chorus girls room long
nor was anything said OUTSIDE U
arouse her suspicious. ReasSureo
Miss Donovan Struggled down into ne
inflow. unable to distinguish where tn
men went. but satisfied they nat
sought their rooms. They would al
tempt nothing more that night. an
she had better gain what rest Sh
could. It was not easy falling asieeI
in spite of the silence but at last sh
), dropped off into dOze.
, Suddenly some unusual nois
+. aroused her, and she sat upright. III
able for the moment to cOmpr2hen
what had occurred. Then somethn
tingled at the glass of her wlhdoV
sharply distinct, as though pebbl
: had been tossed upward. Instant
she was upon her feet, and had crosse
:, the room. her head thrust out. In
lirht in the office had been eXtlI
gushed. and the night was black. "
she could make out dimly the figure
;, 4 man close in against the side OF IN
;, house mere hulking shadow.
the same instant he seemed to NOV
slightly. and some missile graZed nj
face. and fell upon the floor. strikir
the rug with dull thud. She Gre
:, back In alarm, yet immediate
rrasped the thought that this must
- some secret message, some commun
: cation from Westcott
. Drawing down the torn curtal
sbo touched a match to the lamp ar
:. sought the ntruding missile. 1t ms
. rolled beneath the bed-a small stoi
"a with bit of paper securely attache
!, The girl tore this open eagerly, n
- ewes searching the few lines.
:. Must see you tonight. Ha'
- leoted things. and am going ava
co down back stairs. and meet me
= hiy cottonwood behind hotel: dor
IN fail - -
:, Her breath came fast as she rea
,r md crunchcd the paper into the pal
: NJ ber hand. She understood, and II
-, no hesitancy. Westcott had male q
y. coyeries so important he must COZ
nupicate them at once and there W
. no other way. He, dare not come
- her openly at that hour. Well,
:. was not afraid-not of Jim Westco
80 She naused in her hasty dressing. VIC
80 ,arinp Mt herself. dimly aware that
80 new feeling partly actuated her desl
or 70 meet the man again-a feeling tn
- ourhIv alien to the Cavendish m.
=, tery. She glanced into the crack
ha mirror and laughed. half ashamed
ho her eagerness. yet utterly unable
ct supnress the quickened beat OF |
| leo