The Washington herald., 1921-05-15
By George AgnezU Chamberlain
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AMIWLUEI WLU
held to her reclining position By her hair.
over her head the reboso was arranged in
such q way - to hide the fAct that shs
was gaSged
Ridsnour's mood sincs his thoughtiea b.
trayal Of Hildegards to the untender mer>
cies Of Juan and his companion had been one
Of grim discrimination which now turned SUD
denly to white anger. Any feeling Of RELIEF
which he might have felt at having traced the
girl successfully was completely submerged
in the rage which now came over him at
seeing her inanhandied. He forgot his own
blame in the matter. glanced down At the der
ringer which he had taken from his pocket.
and decided that employment Of the gun
would let Oh the two cynical rufaaas alto
rsther too easily. They would surrsndsr
sheepdshiy to its mere display. He returned
Il TO his pocket
He watched at the window untf1 he sav
the men grasp Hildegarde by the elbovs
preparatory 10 rushing her in at the front
entrance Of the house: then he erossed the
room to the open door leading into the main
hall. Al the click Of the latchkey the blood
surged through his veins and pounded at his
temples: his lips grew very dry. He waited
until he heard the front door slam; then
stepped out noiseIessiy. whirled. and almost
in the same movement struck out and
reached the point OF Juans fran Jaw with
q terrific blow from the shoulder.
The Mexican crumpled At the knees and
hips and sank to the floor with a faint Sigh
ing groan. His companion loosed his grip
on Hildegardes arm. stared open mouthed
and incredulously At the irate ngure Of Ride
nour. the swift avenser; then turned and
made a desperate attempt to escape by the
way he had come Before he could open the
door he was caught by the slack Of the coat
whirled in midair. and kicked slithering the
full length of the hall. chatterins and
scramblins, he resained his feet and tore
madiy through the house and out.
There In in each Of US a subconscious sef
which In moments Of crisis acts on an i'm
pulse surer than Judgment This second
ego in Hildee.rde made her raise her hands
Immediately to her throat and remove the
loosened reboso with which she had been
veiled and szsged: It even sustained her for
q second longer against collapse and IN that
second Ridenour stepped forward and took
possession Of her racked body. He slipped
his arm around her and drew her close
opened the door half carried her TO the ooche
whose driver was phlegmaticary waiting for
his pay, and directed him - drive to their
hotel.
The man did not move. There IL . double
fare already due he said indinerently.
Ridenour reached UP and laid a gold piecs
on the vacant box seat The driver caught
IL, CLINT out OF the corner Of his eye. nodded
grunted. and proceeded to beiabor his emaci-
ated ponies. The carriage turned with Q
ereakins of its rusty springs and gradually
gathered way.
Hildesarde now had reason TO Be grztefu
for the shadows Of the deep hood Of the car
rage which had but recently assisted 1T her
undoins. with q choking gasp she turned
relaxed against Ridenour's shoulder. and
soboed out
% Mark prayed for you So
.Yours wasn't the only prayer that has
been answered. darling murmured Ride
nour, holding her tightly TO him
He glanced down at her bare bead and
tumbled hair. wondered vaguely what had
become Of her hat and then his gaze wal
suddenly held by . gleam Of white nesh
showing through the torn shoulder OF her
jacket. There was something % virginia
about that tiny exposure. 20 significant o.
intimacy and hallowed mystery violently n
vealed. that he felt arise within him tn,
surge Of the clean name Of alteration I
swiftiy a. though on borrowed wtnEs to IN
discovered heights Of a new emotion.
Hndegarde." he whispered in the voice o
amazement Look up. Look in my eyes
spondently. 4" But you never can forgive M
never"
She obeyed him. That snile Of wonR,
which makes her on occasion older than an.
man drew her mouth into adorable curve
and nIisd her eyes with . glowing light. BE
hands rose very slowly and she took possea
sion Of his head and lips.
There she said breathlessty when st las
he released her, Are you forgiven
Forgiven and paid" murmured Ridenour
tcopynrh,: 1891: By eeorrs Assev cAsnb.risaA-
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