Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-12-18

sonality, when she carried on CONVEX
sations with herself. Semt-delirious
/ from strain and hunger, she listened 20
/ a girl OF 20-her own age-wno re-
| preached a woman Of 40.
You're a selfish introvert You've
never considered me. I've never been
/ to dances. I've had no time to make
friends. I've had to slave for you
| Why couldn't you wait till you were 81
to get your cottage in the country
The voice droned on In unison with
an imprisoned fly which buzzed mad
deningly over the window pane. But In
the lucid interlude which followed
Janet admitted the truth Of her raw
/ ingS She had wasted her youth ana
was losing the present for the future.
In this connection, she remembered
with pang that Tory had told her
Of a bed ridden young man on the
ground floor, to whom she could have
lent books, in token of sympathy Now.
as though in punishment 1t was her
turn to. feel completely cut off from
the world.
On the eighth morning the bandit
returned from the hall. completely
altered in appearance. He was Clearly
shaved, his hair shone, and his coat
was well brushed. He looked like
smart young business man, except for
the revolver with which he drove her
into the kitchen.
whistle down to the porter" he
commanded. Tell him to stop sending
food, as you are going away on your
Too excited to think clearly, Janet
rushed to the tube and delivered the
message to Tory.
"Wili you want taxiP" he called
mo, thank YOU" she replied obed-
lent to the shake Of the bandits head.
Then, a pleasant time, Miss" said
Tory. IF you should want me for
anything, I'll be over in the back block,
after eleven, as I'm showing some
people fiat"
the bandits eye and realized that. I'M
consciously, Tory had revealed the
exact time when the entrance hall
would be unmatched.
The next half hour was an agony OF
suspense, when hope struggled with
fear of her fate. Suddenly the man
glanced at his watch, and-laying his
revolver on the table-came towards
her.
IF this was a picture. should seize
1t and hold him up" she thought
wildly.
Even while she was trying to nerve
herself for the attempt, the man threw
double coil of laundry cord around !
her and the back of the chair on which /
she was sitting, pinioning her to her
seat. Too terrified to cry out, she strug-
gled silently and vainly, while he bound
her wrists together and fastened her
legs to the rlngs.
She told herself that if he meant TO
leave her gagged and bound in a locked
flat, her end would be so terrible that
she had better scream, and so ensure
the swift mercy Of bullet. But on
the other hand, there was a glimmer Of
hope that he might send information
to the porter which would lead to her
release once he was safely away
1t was taking a desperate chance,
FOR she had noticed no scruple or sign
Of ordinary humanity in the bandit;
yet the passion for life was so over
covering that she resolved TO remain
silent.
As the man folded a strip of linen
INTO a pad, there was an unexpected
A loud scrape and rattle
against the outside wall Of the build
ng was followed by the appearance
If the top of ladder against the
Iitchen window
THE cleaner" gasped Janet.
With an oath the man pushed her I
owardS the window.
Tell him to go away" he ordered. s