Life — October 1, 1896 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

255 he gave a lurch against it that set it quivering. I knew that meant they were coming, whether or no, and another bump of Sandy’s broad shoulders, rein- forced by Bob's this time, made the hinges creak, and strengthened my conviction. “Take off your mask!” I com- manded, turning to Polly. “Oh, Jack,” she murmured, piti- fully. “Take it off!" I said. fiercely. “You have nothing to lose, and I have. I don’t propose to have those fellows think I'm a black- guard as well as a fool.” She tore it from her face at that, and stood there white and trem- bling, and very beautiful; and ina breath’s time later the door’s fas- tenings burst with a crash, letting in a dishevelled lot, who gazed dumbfounded, from Polly to me. “Come,” said I, with a great deal of dignity, and I drew Polly's arm through mine and disappeared through the wrecked doorway and down the hall, leaving the amazed crowd behind. **Put your mask on,” I said, as we hurried along, for I could see the eye of the curious fastened on her. She had no more than ad- justed it, when I saw a fantastically draped figure approaching. us, evi- dently with the intention of speak- ing, and I was not mistaken. “Jack Oliver, you rogue!” it said. and with a shiver I recognized the voice. Polly was so frightened that she knew nothing. The figure barred the way. “Let us pass!” I said angrily. “Ah, you sly dog, Jack. Polly shall know of this. Let me see the lady's face,” and before I could prevent he had snatched the mask from her. “Polly! By Jupiter !" cried the Doctor, for it was he. ‘* Father !" almost screamed she. Five minutes afterward, in a cab, she was sobbing it all out on my coat sleeve. “How could you, Jack—how could you take me to such a place ?” she asked with her first speaking breath. And that made me tired. “Ler us. pass!” Louis Evan Shipman. comicbooks.com