The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-05-27
CHAPTER Iv-continued.


she told him. She was widow. Her
husband had beer 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 your"
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 / can get your
she asked
yes. 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.
''Ill do without
"Tll get them ALL she promised
soothingly. Its only few cents"
she added as she went out.
When she returned bearing tray
of food and bundle. of newspapers,
Fitzhugh had made his toilet and
looked a little more presentable-or,
rather little less unkempt.
He threw aside the more conserya-
tive journals, which announced his es-
cape in staid 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 ESCAPESi
OVERPOWERS GUARD AND FLIES
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!
SYNIINGTON OTIS OFFERS RE-
WARDi!
He read it 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 listened until he could no longer
hear her footsteps on the uncarpeted
stairs, then opened the door and found,
just without, a 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, perforce, so
much from a woman. In closet at
the end of the hall he had unearthed
an old wooden clothes-tub. He filled
1t at the hydrant, carried 1t to his
room, and stripped and enjoyed cold
bath. Then, arrayed in his new hab-
erdashery, he went 10 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 it
TO one hand, reached up, playfully
tweaked his unshaven cheek and
rubbed her palm against its stubby
grain. 'Now can you guess?"
He nodded, smiling. you've bought
me shaving OUTFIT he said soberly.
"rm sorry. I'm not going to shave.
Tn going to grow a beard-a Van
dyke"
She fell strangely silent and when
she spoke he thought her voice sound
ed hard, unnatural. 81 see. A dis.
guise How stupid OF me not to think
Of it. That means, of course'-she
picked up the shaving mug and APP
peared to be interested in ifs contour
that means you will be leaving
here
he was In quandary. He knew not
how to answer. Deep down in his
Heart he knew he was going to leave
Ter, was going to shut her odt of his
life. lie ha1 decided tiiat again last