Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-14

leaned forward in his chair and fecked
the ask from his cigar
Did Miss Madison send you, Mr.. Daw-
son?' he asked.
NO" came the quiet answer; I'm on
my own hook. You're from the weSt?'
From Colorado"
80 l heard" Very slowly Dawson walk
ed around the library table, and, drawing
up a chair, sat down. $50 l heard. SO
am L.
Hills started
"What part?" he asked.
Southern; Las Animas county"
Hills hand trembled ever so little: the
ash dropped from his cigar and fell on his
trousers but he let 1t stay unbrushed In
the stiffness of the room they heard door
open and then close, and as the muffied
sound of woman's voice came to them,
they shifted suddenly in their seats.
There are outlaws in my part of the
country" Dawson said grimy.
Did you know any of them?" His cigar
had gone out, but he began pacing the
room he puffed nervously at the unlit butt.
81 remember reading of one called Black
Jack Did you know him?''
"A little" answered Dawson. Hes now
In the east, sporting under new name.
Hills whirled around. white to the lips
For a long, heavy minute they gazed full
into each others faces; then Hills came
back to the table and sat down. In the
garden behind the library birds were cheer
lily chattering; across the carpeted floor a
thin shaft of afternoon sunlight danced and
played.
'Well?" said Hills at last.
"Well?" Dawson shrugged his massive
shoulders 1T all depends upon you, Mr..
Black Jack Weldon"
Have you told her-Miss Madson?"
"Yes"
And"
"And." said Dawson steadily, "she
wouldn't believe me. said was jealous"
In a flash Veldons face cleared, and as
he leaned back in his chair he showed
his white teeth in a sunny smile. "Of
course. you were not Jealous Dawson, of
course not; but what do you intend to do
now?''
The same as l intended doing right
along. There is a charge of murder hang
ing over you, Weldon, and l know sheriff
who would like to see you. How you ever
skinned out of Colorado l don't know, and
I'm plumb gone on how you ever got in
with this clique, though some of the boys
called you Gentleman Jack But one thing
do know, Weldon, and I've got that dead
to rights-you've got to drop this game"
"And II / dont?"
"Then Miss Madson-'
Weldon laughed. she won't believe you.
She didn't, you know"
But she VIII this time. said Dawson,
With the same gravity. Because you see,
Weldon, I'm going to force you to write a
confession"
tone. and as Weldon. schooled in dealings
with desperate men. listened the smile died
out of his face. Again he became the
dtsperado. reckless, devtl-may-care, fight
y.
son saw the change. and the muscles round
his mouth hardened.
How are you going to do it?" asked Vel
don.
This way" His hand went back. came
forward, and the other stared Begin"
NO" burst out Weldon. 'Tn be-
1t was single-action pistol and it clicked
ominously.
Begin" said Dawson shortly.
With trembling fingers Weldon drew pen
and paper from the blotter in the center Of
the table hesitated moment, and then
My God" he said thickly-and nos. the
drawing room was forgotten and his tall
was of the mountaineering God, ia sooner
have the sheriff bounding me than have it
said played dirt for woman
Miss Madison rejected me last night"
returned the other quietly.
Then what"
Dawson ripped out an oath that was full
OF agony.
Cant you understand" he cried "she's
not for the likes of me. and I'm id If
she's going to throw herself away on the
likes OF you. Begin" The pistol came
nearer.
Trembling with hate and rage. yet awed
into obedience, Weldon began to write. But
before dozen words had been put to pa
per. Dawsons debating voice trailed off
into a silence and the outcast looked up.
The pistol had dropped down. and now hung
Imply at the Coloradians side, while his
eyes were bent on something across the
room. 1t could mean but one thing, and
suddenly sick at heart. Weldon turned. In
the doorway, surprise. outraged dignity and
contempt all showing on her face, stood
Hilda Madison.
Dawson was the first TO speak
Il am sorry" he began, but she silenced
him with an Icy stare and turned to Weldon
Mr. Hills" she demanded, what does
this mean?
The outcast could only stare and stam-
mer, miserable. trembling wreck. AS she
vainly sought out his eyes, the other calm,
level voice cut in.
"Mr Weldon" he corrected Then, lean