San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-12
owsa BY eRtNrAxos oaass ey the RipsvAy COMPANY

/ Swaying on his feet, KELSEY reached
out for some support and clutched a
table.
She was untying the bandage, and
he felt her light, cool fingers on his
forehead.
She moved swiftly away from him,
and he heard the sound of running
| water across the room. I'm going
to wet this handkerchief" she said,
there at the sink. This is the
Kitchen"
Wait" He got up and made his
zig-zag way toward her. "Let me
get my head under the faucet"
as the cut still bleeding?" she
asked.
mo, the blood has clotted on it.
It's only scratch anyway. All"
He inhaled deeply and stood up
right, brushing the water from his
face. I'm all right now"
But it's dangerous drawing water"
he said. They'll know we've been
here"
Let it run a little" she suggested.
1T will look as if it had been left
so long time"
THAT'S So" he said. "And now
we've got to plan our next move.
You know this place, the house and
grounds. They'll be here soon. and
they're bound to track us to the house.
We've got to get out. Is there any
way we can throw them off"
"We stay right here. They won't
find MS" There was an irrepressible.
mischievious bubble in her low laugh
ter. leave that to me. | know every
inch of this place. Give me your
matches"
"You mustn't strike mitch here"
Not here of course. But in the
closet there. Quick-give them ID
me. Oh. don't be afraid. shall close
the door,"
Here. IS on their wild drive, she
had taken the initiative, and still
protesting. he reluctantly gave her the
box.
She laughed again: and he heard
door open and close. A moment
and she came back.
Good hunting" she said. II went
after provisions and found box of
crackers and some jam. My father
comes down here occasionally for the
duck-shooting. and I thought some
thing might have been left.
snow come with me-" She slipped
her free hand i'm his and led him
through what, seemed to be a dining
room into the hall, and then up "A
flight of stairs.
Kelsey stopped. whats your
idea?" he asked. ITO hide in the
attic? That won't do. They'll make
for that the first thing"
"We're not going to the attic.
Come on She tugged at his sleeve.
Don't stand there and argue.
know what I'm doing"
He yielded the point, and followed
her without further remOnstrance
into q long. low-ceiled chamber which
he assumed to be. directly above the
dining room.
"Now you can rest for mo-
ment," she said, guiding him into a
chair "Sit down. And, please, the
matches again. Oh" anticipating
his objection, there will be no light
that can be seen from the outside"
His eyes accustomed to the dark
ness made out great stone fire
BihNN at oilN siuf VI INV iooh.
passed it, light. gliding shadow
among shadows. and stood before tie
wall beyond. in front of an old-faSh-
Toned cupboard about two feet above
the floor. She stepped into it. There
was tiny squirt of light as she
struck n match.
BY it. he saw her kneeling figure
close to the dark wood which lined
the back of the closet. One finger
outstrctched. she was tapping the
boards rapidly. Counting. was she?
The match went out. He heard her
Jump down. and she came toward
him in an airy rush. .....
'"Let me tell you,' she forced her
self to sober coherency. This is an
old. old house. built in the early days
of the Colonies. when people had to
he constantly on Guard against the
Indians and provide wa-s, Of escape.
Can you make out that big. Old-time
chimney where the fireplace is? 1t
runs up from the cellar and there