St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-10
the slightest objection, except on your
own account. Shall we go now?''

pellSQ Oy some mlgnGy unseen IOfce, ne
leaped to one side, turned aud sprang
back again towards the girl.
d. There was flash and loud report.
closely followed by Derrington's low
laugh.
Il lodged you that time, Ruth" he
cried,
She tried to use the other weapon, to
fire again with the one she had already
used, but the gambler was too quick for
her.
In an instant he had seized her by her
wrists and the next he had forced her
upon her knees before him, while the
weapons dropped from her nerveless
grasp to the floor.
I'VE won't go to the police station just
yet" he said cOOily; ''we'll go up and
revive Virginia instead, and tomorrow
We'll have that little wedding ceremony
performed"
Ruth did not speak word, but the
fury in her face had become transformed
into blank despair.
As soon as the weapons dropped from
her hands Darlington kicked them under
the sofa. Then he released her.
Everything happened much quicker
than have told it, and had renamed
silent and motionlcss o5ser yer of the
scene, with every muscle in my body
contracted in preparation for the strug-
gle which knew must soon come.
As Darlington released the girl she
settled helplessly down upon the floor
in position of utter dependency. She
had made brave struggle for freedom,
and she had been defeated. Knowing
so we'll the character OF the man with
whom she had to deal, she felt tha
hope was dead.
"COme, get up, Ruth" said the gam
bier. "YOu have made brave fight
for it, my girl, and it's tough to have to
knock under. By heaven! if i loved
you less, I'd let you go just for your
pluck! Get up Ruth, and let me intro
duce my friend"
He grasped her gently by one arm
and raised her to her feet.
had grit enough a moment ago-where
has it gone? Say, Ruth. would you
shoot me if [ should hand you one of
the guns"
Like a doS?" she hissed, and her
eyes flashed full of returning fury. She
took one step towards him with her
right arm extended and the index finger
of her hand pointed straight at the gam
bler's heart. 1t seemed like a weapon
far more deadly than the six-shooter
she had held but few moments be-
fore.
Derrington started back a little, while
a shade of pallOr swept over his face.
Then he laughed lightly.
You are like tragic queen, Ruth, )"
he said. "Honestly, | feel in more
danger now than when that hand held
weapon"
Jack Derrington." said the girl slow
ly, II give you warning! You are the
victor now, and you will find means to
pursue your conquest to the end. But
the moment will come when this hand
shall hold weapon, and that moment
shall be your last. Whether you shot
my father or not, you have wronged me.
and | swear that some day L will kill
you"
Suddenly her eyes diIated. Her face
flushed red and then grew white as
death itself.
With low cry she leaped forward
full at the gamblers throat.
He sought to dodge her; to ward off
the effort she made to seize him, but
Ruth was too qnick-too impetuous.
The proof the proof" she cried, and,
before Daredevil Jack could prevent
the act, she had thrust her hand into
the breast pocket of his coat. Then,
like flash, she leaped away from him
again.
LII her hand she held small wallet,
and she was about to open it when the
gambler leaped towards her to take it
away.
All of his gallantry was gone. Fear,
anger, dismay, all were expressed upon
his handsome features.
With muttered oath he seized her,
but, even as he did so, she threw the
wallet with all her remaining strength
at me.
"lf you have mans honor, deliver
that to the policer' she cried. ''It will
prove this man to be mur-''
Derrington's hand was upon her
throat, and the last word she would
have uttered was partially lost.
l thrust it into my pocket Just as
Dare-Devil-Jack released his hold upon
Ruth and tnrned towards me.
He stretched out his hand and said
coolly:
"An easy victory, eh, Billy? Give me
the wallet, please"
Il will keep it. Jack" l replied, as
cooily as he.
"Eh? What! Don't joke, pard; I'm
please"
u will keep the wallet. Jack" 1 re-
peated.
DalHH yOu, give IHG lndG Wdi1cI!"
and the gamblers hand slipped to the
pocket where he carried a weapon.
Don't draw, Jack. l have you COW
cred through my pocket just as had
Black Bob. | can't trust you, and if
you move I'li kill you!'
He knew that l meant nat said,
but he was game. He h been in
many tight place before I had es-
capped. His face grew fendish with
rage. He realized that he was to take
his chances against my weapon. Like
a flash he saw through my true charac-
ter, and knew that / had tracked him
down.
Like lightning he thrust his hand in
his pocket and drew his weapon.
Quicker than thought be raised it.
There was double flash, double re-
port, but Ruth Huntoon had saved us
both.
With b ound she struck the arm of
Daredevil Jack just as he raised it to
fire. The blow destroyed his own aim
and mine and both of us escaped un-
harmed.
But Darlington was not to be taken
without a struggle.
He swung his right hand around, and
with the back of it knocked Ruth sense
less upon the floor. Then he leapeG
toward me.
But the instant's delay was fatal.
leaped upon him. My fist flew out and
the gambler staggered back, stunned
and dazed by the shock of the blow he
had received. The weapon fell from
his hand to the floor, and / quickly
raised my own. 1t would not work, and
SO threw it with all my force straight
at the gamblers head.
He lodged it. Then he laughed.
Billy" he said, coolly, lit is your
life OF mine now, and we're both un-
armed. You were fool to throw away
your gun. A fool. for it has cost you
your life. Ehl Did | say uuarmedP
No. have this" and he drew small
bowie knife from his pocket.
Ready, BillY?' and he laughed again.
Then, like tiger, he sprang towards
me with the bowie knife brandished in
his hand.
He had nearly raachad mo ubar