Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-04-27
CHAPTER IV-Continued.

And. needless of his protestatlons.
she told him. She was a widow. Her
husband had been a Russian nihiliSt
and was killed in Petrograd. After
his death she had fled to America.
'NOw, of course. you want to hear
my story" he decided, when she fin
ished. Don't yOu?"
She noted the unwillingneSs in his
voice. "Some other time" she an
swered.
I'D better get you something to
eat" she reminded herself presently.
and rose and started toward the door
"YOu must be hungry" She paused
with her hand on the knob. isn't
there something else l can get yOu?"
she asked.
Eyes; l wish you'd get me some eve
ming newspapers. He ran his hand.
first in one trousers pocket. then in
the other, before remembering their
emptiness. "Never mind" he told her.
'I'll do without"
"Pll get them ALL" she promised
soOthingly. ITS only a few cents"
she added as she went out.
When she returned. bearing a tray
IF food and a bundle of newspapers,
Fitzhugh had made his toilet and
looked lisle more PERSONAL---VERY.,
rather, little less unkempt.
He threw aside the more conserva-
five journals r.rhinl
cape in said paragraphs, and read
first those saffrOn-colOred ones, which
told the news with huge black type
against pink and green backgrounds.
The first one Shrieked at him:
MANIAC ESCAPES!
OVERPOWERS GUARD AND FLEES
IN STORM!
He smiled and turned to the next
one. Then he started and sat up very
straight. Lavishly smeared over the
damp front page. smelling of printers
ink, this is what he saw:
MADMAN MISSING!
$1,000 FOR CAPTURE!
SYMIINGTON OTIS OFFERS RE-
WARD!!
He read 1t again and again, enjoy
ing the nOtoriety to the full. He had
come into the limelight.
When Esther knocked at his room
next morning about eight, Fitzhugh
had been up an hour.
Come TO my room as soon as you're
dressed; I've surprise for you"
He liStensA until he could no longer
hear her footsteps on the uncarpeted
stairs, then opened the door and found.
just without, parcel. Opening It, he
disclosed a complement of underwear.
socks, shirt. collar and tie. There was
also a cap. Again he experienced an
uncomfortable feeling of gratitude and
shame for accepting, oerforce, so
much from a woman. In a closet at
the end of the hall he had unearthed
an ol0 wooden clOtheS-tub. He filled
It at the hydrant, carried it to his
room. and stripped and enjoyed a cold
bath. Then. arrayed in his new hab-
erdaShery, he went to his bene-
factreSS.
You have three guesses," she cried
gayly, holding her hands behind her.
her face radiant. She fumbled with
what she held behind her. shifting II
TO one hand, reached up, playfuly
tweaked his unShaven cheek and
rubbed her palm against its stubby
grain. Nov can you gueSSf"
He nodded, smiling. You've bought
me a shaving outfit" he said soberly.
I'm sorry. I'm not going to shave.
I'm going TO grow a beard-a Van
dyke"
She fell strangely silent; and when
she spoke he thought her voice sound
ed hard, unnatural Il see. A dis.
gulse, How stupid of me not TO think
OF IL. That means, of courSe"-she
picked up the shaving mug and ap-
9eared TO be interested in its contour
that means you will be leaving
here"
He was In a quandary. He knew MOI
how TO answer. Deep down iG ms
heart he knew he was going 10 leave
her, was going to shut her out of his
life. He had decided that again last
Night when drawing up his plans. Bur
he could not tell her so now-not
while she stood there questioning him.
With such accusation. such bitter re-
preach.
You will. won't your she demand
ed, her face reddening.
He chose the path of least resist.
snce. He took the shaving mug from
her hands, replaced It on the table.
and put his arms around her and
kissed her on the lips, It vas probably
the most prudent answer he could
have made; and when. uReu her re
beating her question. less jnsiStent-
~, he said. Don't think Gbous IN