Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-09

the room, THAT you've got Toms money
in the house here, and would like to throw
me off the scent!'
eff had" said she, you'd only get it
across my dead body! Hadn't you better
look for it, and have me tell you when
you're hot and when you're coldf'
"Do yon mean to tell me-" said he,
evidently wavering, and possibly inclining
to doubt if, after all, she were not telling
the truth, as no man in his senses would
leave such a sum of money in the keeping
ofsuch a simpleton.
'1 don't mean to tell you anything she
cried. "You won't believe a word l say,
and I never had anyone doubt my word
before. | hate 10 have you take that ff-
teen dollars, though. Yeu never would, in
the world, if you knew what self denial it
stands for. Every time l think / would
like an ice-creaR, out here in this wilder
ness, where you might as well ask for an
iceberg, I've made Tom give me the price
of one. You won't find anything but rib
bons there. And when felt as if | should
go wild if couldn't have a box of candy,
I've made Tom give me the price Of that.
There's only powder and tweezers and
frizzes in those boxes" as he went over the
top of the dressing case, still keeping
of apollinaris and Tom couldn't-that's my
laces, and / wish you wouldn't finger
them; don't believe your hands are clean
and Tom could get anything to drink,
and lots OF ten cent pieces came that way,
and But don't imagine you care to
hear about all that. What make you look
at me sof" For the man had left his search
again, and his glance was piercing her
through and through. "0h, your eyes are
like augers turning to live coalsl" she
cried. "1s that the way you look at your
wifef Do you look at your little children
the same wayf"
"That lay won't work." said he, with
another grin. "I aint got no wife or kids"
"Im sure that's Fortunate" said Mrs.
Laughton "a family wouldn't have any
peace of their lives with you following
such a dangerous business. And they
couldn't see much of you either l must
say think you'd be great deal happier
if you reformed-I mean-well, if you left
this business. and took up a quarter.sec-
ton, and had q wife, and"
"Look herer replied the man, his
patience gone. "Are you fool, or are you
bluffing met I've half mind to knock
your head in," he cried, "and hunt the
house oyer for myself! / would, if there
was time"
"You wouldn't find anything if you did,
she returned, leaning back in her chair.
'I've looked often enough, when / thought
Tom had some money. / never found any,
What are you going to do nowf" with a
cry of alarm at his movement.
'1'm going to tie you hand and foot
first"
"Oh, / wouldn't! I'd rather you
wouldn't-really / promise you 1 won't
leave this chair"
'I don't NEAR you shall"
"Oh; how can you treat me sol" she ex-
claimed lifting up her streaming face.
''You don't look like a person to treat a
woman so. I don't like to be tied; it
makes one feel SO helpless"
"what kind of fool be you, anyway
said the man, stopping moment to stare
at her And he made a step then toward
the highest Of drawers, half bureau, half
writing desk, for for ball of tape he saw
lying there.
"Ohr' she cried, remembering the tar
baby "Dont 60 therei For mercy sake,
don't go there" raising her voice till it was
like the wind in the chimney "0h, please
don't go there!" At which, as if feeling
morally, or rather immorally, sure that
what he had como for was in that spot, he
seized the handles of drawer, and down
fell the lid upon his head with whack
that ammed his hat over his eyes and
blinded him with pain and fury for an in
stant. And in that instant she had whip
ped the roll Of money from her belt, and
had dropped it underneath her chair 81
knew it would! 1t always does told
you not to GO"
''You shut your mouth quick" roared
the man, with splutter of oaths between
each word.
"That's right" she said, leaning over
the arm Of the chair, her face like pity
ing saints Don't mind me. j always
tell Tom to swear, when he jams his
thumb. know how it is myself when I'm
drivin' nail It's a great relief I'd put
some cold water on your head, but i prom
ised you wouldn't stir ont of the chair"
The man went and sat down in the chair
on whose back he had been leaning.
AZ swear, / don't know what to make of
you," said he, rubbing his head, ruefully.
"You can make friends with me-" said
she. "That's what you can do. I'm sure
I've shown you that Pm friendly enough.
/ never believe any harm of any one till i
see it myself don't blame you for want
ing the money. I'm always in want of
money I've told you you might take
mine, though / don't want to. But
shouldn't give you Toms money, even if /
knew where it was. Tom would xiii me if
| did, and might as well be killed by you
as by Tom-and better. You can make
friends with me, and be some protection TO
me till my husband comes. I'm expect
ing him and Jules every moment"
The man started to his feet.
'Do you see thatf' he cried, holding his
revolver under her nose. "Look right into |
that gun! Wen have no more fooling. |
Itll be your last look if you don't tell me
where that money is before ! count three"
She put out her hand and calmly moved
it aside.