The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-09
ieklish and cool blood the only wis.

ticklish and cool blood the only wis.
dom.
IF he kills you." the woman went ON,
with her eyes fixed on Philo's face.
then he Ii murderer. and SO am
well rid of him. II you kill him, as I
nope. then You have acteo In self-de-
fense. and are innocent-and 80, too. I
am well rid of him.
You seem to have thought things
out very carefully" said Ames. But
why did you honor me with your choice
Of champion?"
because of your reputation" sht.
saio. with smile that was half a sneer:
perhaps because Of your big boast
women have done SO much for you that
u was time you should do something
for women
fhiio shrugged his shoulders. "You
matter me" he began, but the woman
Interrupted him.
| hush, she said, II hear a football
Phiio. straining his sense Of hearing
seemed to catch the faint sound of a
| oistant ascending step on those dis
| taht ascending stairs. He slipped his
hand TO his hip pocket and pulled out
ms pistol. The womans eyes flashed at
his action.
VI course" he said, IT can only feel
lattered at the honor you have done me
II your friend attacks me, as YOU seem
10 assume-weil. as believe I am con-
sN1ered to be good shot, and as I be-
neVe that 1 justify the impression. I
snouid imagine that you will be relieved
VI your difficulty in about five minutes"
Even as he spoke the stehs came
nearer and nearer, and sounded louder
ahd louder In the gaunt loneliness of
the place. But Ames' blood, growing
not with the excitement of the moment.
suddenly cooled at the sight of the
woman's face. 1t had grown curiously
pale and drawn and wan, and its look
OF anxiety touched him with a Quick
pity. She seemed to be listening as
curiously as he to the incoming steps
put with a very different interest, He
thought to himself. trying to translate
her expression. that the steps sounded
singuiarly light to be those of the black
Visaged savage whose face grinned on
the chimney piece. The steps came
ciose and stopped before the door
Ihere was a moments silence-and
then ring.
Inc woman remained motionless for
moment. like one under the influence
oi some ungovernable fear, some I'M
hameable horror. Then. as IL shaking
on the lethargy of a dream, she walked
10 the door and went into the hall.
Thiio Followed her, with revolver in
MS hand. She opened the hall door.
ana Ames mechanically lifted his pistol.
put lowered 1t again as his gaze en-
couhtered nothing more alarming than
d telegraph boy dimly visible in the
Iaihtiy-hghted corridor. Before the
poy had time to say a name, the wo-
man had caught the message from him.
looked at its address and swung the
ooor TO. Philo Ames and she were
again alone together. Philo could hear
the boy whistling and stamping as he
Went away, but the woman stood still
holding the message IN her hands. II
was only for minute, but It seemed
an age; then she turned and walked
into the drawing room, Ames maxine
way for her. She tore the envelope
open, read the message, gave a little |
cry, while she forced fiercely into n |
laugh as she handed the slip of pink
paper to Ames. He read four words in |
a flash. The four words were: Go to |
the devil" Then she snatched the pa |
per from his hands. and the pair stood |
In silence for second, facing each |
other vaguely.
We'll" said Philo. slowly, "you seem
to be rid of your difficulty"
She gave little shiver as she an
swered: $50 1t appears"
Philo swung his fur coat on to his
shoulders. and slipped his revolver back
into its place. AS he stretched out his
hand to his hat the woman touched
him on the arm.
You can stay IL you like" she said,
In voice that was half q provocation,
half an appeal
Philo looked at the woman's beauti-
full face, and his heart grew hot: then
he glanced round the room, and thought
what shambles 1t might have become II
what had not been had been. He took
UP his hat.
mo. thank you," he said. and he
walked slowly out Of the room and out
of the hall, and drew the door sharply
behind him in the dimly-lit corridor.
Then, and then only, he suddenly took