The Red Cloud chief., 1878-01-24

ASILLY WOMAN AND RUDE LOVER
The 18th of October. 1910, was q wiIe
night, a night of cloud wrack and pale
intermittent moonlight. The high west
erly wind seemed like a demon let Ioos,
owe sea and land. In cities houses wer.
unroofed. and c~himney-pots fell with
the sound of thunder. On seas. full OF
hurry and confusion, ships staggered
hlindly. with far more chance of going
down than Of making port. Through
forests the wind roared end raved in II.
herce onrushing. One could bea,
great tree boughs snapped short from
h trees and hurled about in blind
fury.
About z O'Clock in the evening a DOS,
carriage. with smoking p~ost-horses and
shouting pOst-bOys. drew ND before the
principal inn Mt Deal. The carriagq
was occupied bv two persons, n man
and a woman. who, having heard that
they could obtain a good nights shelter.
dismOunted.
Seen bv the bright light of the inn
parlor. the two travellers showed a
strange contrast. The woman. or girl
rather-for she could not have been
more han twenty-presented a striking
type of village beauty. She was tall
and straight. with p firm. shapely fig
ure. She had brown hair. thick ard
curling. There was a wistful look in
the dark. deep eyes,, whose abundant
lashes fell on rounded, manufactured
cheeks. The lips, ripe and red. might
have excused any man for longing to
kiss them.
Her companion. who was at least ten
wears older. was evidently in a very
different position in life. He must
have good blood i'm his veins: at least
YOU could have guessed it from the
long. slender fingers. terminating in
the exquisite filbert-shaped nails. He
was tall and slightly fashioned. The
face would have been called a hand
some one. nut IT was too small and del
icate in outline to suggest the idea of
complete manly beauty.
He drew down her head upon his
shoulder. smoothing lovingly her soft
brown hair. They had the room to
themselves. and SD wrapped up were
they i'm each other that they failed To
notice a face from the outside. which.
pressed close against the blindless
window, was watching them with
bright. strained. sinister But
when the girl. changing her position.
did catch sight of the face. the blood
suddenly fOrsOOk the cheek and lips.
n uttering a sharp, short cry. she hid
her face again on her husbands shout
der.
ooh. my God. il cannot ber' she ex-
claimed. 1--WE are watched. Arthur.
Don't you sce"'
But the face had vanished. So Old
worth replied quietly:
"My darling. | see nothing. 1t was
only nervous fancy" adding. as she was
shlvering in his arms. .the long. windy
drive has been too much for YOU; YOU
have taken a chill"
Yes. | think l have. Let us 60"
Oldworth was about to ring the bell.
when a door opened and closed. and a
man came up to where they were stand
ing-a man about middle height, but
powerfully built. His face, beaten by
wind and tanned by sun. was one which,
having seen, YOU would not easily for
get. The eyes, which looked straight
out at you from under the over-hanging
brows. had in them a strange and indie |
scribable fascination. He was a man, |
you could tell, who meant to have his
W way-a sort of mastiff, dangerous
when reused, |
II have come to offer my cOngratula- |
tIons." he said. addressing himself to
Oldworth's wife, and holding out his
hand, which the wife did not appear
to see. 81 have heard all about il from
the post-boys-all about the grand we'd
dlng down at Farmer Grants this
morning. 1t is lucky, my meeting you
mere. l was on my way to give Won
important news, which l have brought
from over the sea with me. It's not a
night when a man travels further than
ne needs. But l can { say you seem glad
TO see an old acquaintance"
MY friend" put in Oldworth, ..this
lady is my wife. She has had a long
and fatlguing ride, and is tonight
quite unfit for conversations: but to-
morrow, before resuming our Jour
ney, She will. 1 am sure, be happy
70 exchange the warmest wishes with
you"
oidworth had spoken in a tone of
sweet patronage, but the other man
never looked in his direction, only saw
ing TO Mary: That's your choice. is
l0s Why he looks as if a breath of wind
would blom him away. But YOU must
near my news alone. Get rid of him
VIII You, or must IL"
"One word" exclaimed Oldworth '
me ole rising in his face. tbouoh be 4,
strove to control his voice. lyon came I
rom a Journey. the night is stormy. and {
fnas, IS your excuse for having drank too
Freely; but if You cannot behave vonr. I
1t will be my duty to have YOU re- t
Look here" returned the other. fix. /
now for the first time his ewes upon t
Uidworth's face: my names Mark v
shaw. l am first mate of the shin An
ME brought 20 Dover Harbor last NIGHT. b
am no more drunk than you are, and \
you say l am you know that Won f
telling a lie. You call yourself
me gentleman; well, in the matter of il
xoros you beat me; but you wouldn't b
IKE % have a 60 in with me, No: she v
Wouldn't Xix it. You wouldn't care to Fl
sPrawling at her feet: the floors are
.usty. Keep a civil tongue nyour head t:
va l nav no wish to interfere with +,