The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-30
CHAPTER 27. Planning An ElOpement.

made Anita Austin open her bedroom door in response to a light tap, all though she had resolved to talk to nobody just then.
 But when she saw Gordon Lock- wood she was glad she had, and, without waiting for an invitation, he stepped inside the room and closed the door.
 He looked at her with a face full of compassion and love, but he spoke a s one who must attend to an im- oortant business.
 Anita" he said. speaking very low, the crisis has come. They have learned of the check Dr. Waring gave you that night, and 1t Is the last straw. Stone Is already, I think, con- vinced of your guilt. and that young chap. Mcclure, will get at the bottom of everything, Pm Sure.' Check? What do you mean?" Miss Mystery said, with a blank t7ek on her face.
 Don't equivocate with h. Gear Lockwood laid his hand gently on hers There's no time now tC tell you of my love, as l want to tell 1t. Now, we can only assume that 1t Is all told, that we are engaged, and that we are to be married at once, We are going to elope, Anita"
 "Elope!" she stared at him, but her eyes grew soft and her pale cheeks flushed. What do you mean?"
 Tt isn't g pretty word" Gordon smiled, but it's the only thing to do, you see. If you stay here. you'll be arrested. If you go, go with you. So-we both go, and that makes 1t an elopement."
 But, Gordon"
 But, Anita-answer me just one question-do you love me7"
 Yes" with an adorable upward glance and smile.
 More than you loved Dr. Waring7"
 Their eyes met. Lockwood's usually inscrutable face was desper. ately eager, and his deep eyes showed smouldering passion. He held her by the shoulders, he looked steadily at her, awaiting her answer.
 "Yes," she said, at last, her lovely lips uuivering.
 That's all I want to know!" he whispered. triumphantly, as he kissed the scarlet lips. and drew the slen- der form into his embrace. You must know more" she be- gan. "and-and can't tell you. Oh, Gordon"
 She hid her face on his broad shoulder, and he gently stroked her hair, as he said:
 Don't tell me anything now, dear est. Don't ever tell me, unless you choose. And, anyway, I know 1t all. I know you had never known the doctor before. and I'll tell you how know. I found in his scrap basket a note to you"
 "A note to mew Fresh terror showed in the dark eyes.
 "Yes-dont mind. No one else ever saw it. I burned 1t. But 1t said. Darling Anita. Since you came into my life, life is worth living'-or something like that--l'
 "When-when did he write that?"
 Some time on that fatal Sunday. I suppose after he met you In the after noon, and before you came that eve ming. Remember. sweetheart, if ever you want to tell me all about that late visit to him, do~so. But, If not, I shall never ask or expect you to. But that's all in the future-our dear future which we shall spend together together, Anital Are you glad"
 "Oh, so glad!" and the soft arms crept round his neck and Miss Mys- tery gave him & kiss that thrilled his very soul. Will you take care of me, Gordon?"
 Take care of you, my little love! Take care of you Is it? Just give me the chance"
 You seem to have a pretty big chance right now" smiling face reaching up to his. But she seemed suddenly to recollect some- thing, about check-he didn't give me a CneCk-
 Lockwood laid hand over her mouth.
 Hush, dearest Don't tell me things that aren't-aren't so. I saw -he stub-a check for ten thousand 6ollars-made out to Anita Austin. and dated that very Sunday. Now hush" as she began to speak, we've no time to talk these things over. I tell you the police are on your track They will come here, they will arrest you-try to get that in your head. am going to save you first, for your own sweet sake ana also for my own."
 But Gordon, wait minute. Do you believe I killed John Warins?"
 Lockwood looked at her.
 Don't ask me that, Anita. And truly, I don't know whether I believe 1t or not. I know you have told false hoods I know you were there that night, know of his letter to you, of the check and of the ruby pin and the money But Tho, 1 do not know that you skilled him. There are many other theories possible-there's Nogi but, my darling, it all makes no difference. l love you, I want you whatever your circumstances or con- ditions of your life, or your deeds. love you so, that l want ye u even If you are a criminal-for in that case I want to protect and save you. Now, don't tell me you did or you didn't kill the man, for" he gave her whimsical smile. T couldn't believe you in either case! I've not much opinion of your veracity, and, too, it's too big a matter to talk about now. Of course, l don't be- lieve you Killed him You, my little love! And yet, the evidence Is so overpowering that I-believe you did kill him! There, how's that for a platform? Now, let all those things be. and get ready to go away with me. I tell you we're going to elope and mighty quickly too.
 The difficulty is to get away un- seen. But it must be done. Pack a small handbag-a very small one. I'll plan our way out-and if we can make a getaway under the noses of Stone and his boy we'll soon be all right. I've a friend who'll motor us to a nearby town, where a dear old minister who has known and loved me from boyhood will marry us"
 Doesn't he know about-about me?"
 My little girl, leave all the details of this thing to me Don't bother your lovely head about it. It will be all right-trust me-if we can es- cape"
 'Is it right for me to go? Oughtn't I stay and-what do they call it? Give myself up?''
 Anltd, II ulun love you 50 u scold you. hard. Now you obey your future lord and master. and get ready for hurry-up wedding. I'm sorry that you can't have brides maids and choir boys-but you'll pardon me, I know, if I remind you that that isn't my fault"
 Miss Mystery looked up and broke ~--to laughter. Truly she was a mys- tery! Her gayety was as spontane- ous and merry as if she had never heard of crime or tragedy.