Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-06-23
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IL By CT AHAA ESD I
u Tom Gallon AyE II 0UD H.
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from the time you lett me on lnat
night in Nevada / made up my mind
that did not know Owen Jaggard and
that should not know him again.
That's all right from your point of
view. Joyce" he replied, calmly; but
you'll find you can't shake me off like
that; I'm bit of sticker Besides, !"
he added, striding across to her and
iuttering the little rag of lace before
her eyes, what about this? Why,
when you find I'm here, before even
I've had chance to say a word to
you-why try to murder me?"
What is your proof concerning this
fire." she asked, looking him steadily
in the face. How do you know that |
had any hand in it?"
why did you ask me, when you first
saw me here just now, where slept
last night?" he demanded. AS far as
you were concerned might have been
in London or any other place-miles
away. l happen to be aware that you
knew I should sleep in that cottage
last night; I happen to know that the
fire was no accident. but a deliberate
thing, planned and arranged by some
one who wanted me-and perhaps the
other man. too-out of the way"
well, setting aside all suppositions,
suppose We come to business" said
Joyce, quietly. what are we going to
do?"
"After last night don't trust you as
/ did," said Jaggard. you were al
ways a fierce sort Of tiger-cat, who
never would let anything stand in your
way. did my best to tame you, and
managed it for time"
And dragged me down little lower
than / might have been in the process, y
she reminded him.
Never mind that; that was part of
the game" he retorted. Nov you
happen to have struck it rich here and
you don't want me. Nevertheless, I'm
here. and here l mean to stay Our
partnership was all right while we
were poor; it's got to be all right now
one of US is rich If there are any for
tunes going, my dear, we lshare EN-
together"
Adl OuL VI tilc QuGSllOu, SIG
said. Whatever fortune / have here
comes to me under certain conditions. p
Conditions
Eyes. take this fortune under an,
other name; step into someone else's
shoes to claim it at all. And, stepping
into those shoes, take the response
bilities of the former owner. In other
words, am disposed of-arranged for.
One Of the conditions of my fortune is
that marry; if fail to marry one
certain man, get nothing"
And you mean to do that?" he asked.
Yes, mean to do that" she replied.
You've got to understand, Owen Jag
gard, that I'm tired of the old life
the mad. daredevil existence that was
all cards, and hard riding, and hard
drinking, and hard living, and hard
swearing; | want something cleaner.
This is my chance-and I've got it
Joyce Bland never left Nevada. Go
back and look for her, and if you can't
find her you'll find some one else Of the
same type that will do as we'll. Now
you can CO."
II put aside everything you've told
me- he said, quietly after what seem.
ed long pause; "and I'll come to my
proposition. As it seems you can't
take this fortune without taking man
with 1t, 1t amt much use to you, be-
cause I'm the only man who can step
in here SO far as you are concerned.
Therefore, Joyce, you'd better realize
and raise what you can, and we'll clear
out together. ] can buy ranch or
something Of that sort, and we can go
back to the old life as Clearly and
nicely as you like; and we'll be as
happy as the day is long
II don't want any one to come in by
accident and find you here, she said
moving towards the bell. "Will you
go out the way you came, or by the
door; / can easily make explanations
to the servants, and I'll take care no
one hurries your departure. How is it
to be?''
Is that all you have to say?' he
asked. You needn't ring that bell;
when I choose to 60 I'll 60 In my own
AeontoA. "a = IulSu you DoTOr6, joyce
Bland; I'll rule you again. Yes or no;
do I stand in this. or do you mean to
shake nae off 2"
You certainly do not stand In any.
thing with which | am concerned she
said. You have forced your way into
this house; let it be for the last time.
I've too much at stake to have you
prowling about and interfering. Go
back to tho life you know and under
stand. If you want money I'll arrange
that you shall have it. And that's my
last word. =
Wei, It isn't mine,'' he exclaimed.
sayagely as he caught her wrist You
thought you'd got clear OF me long
ago; I've tracked you down and I don't
mean to lose sight OF you again, 1t
happens that I've got the right girl in
tow-the real Grace Yarwood ana /
mean TO let her know, and let every
One else know, who you are and where
syotl came from You share what you
can get with me and I'm silent; put
me ont of # and l talk That's ali I've
ggot to say: decide for yourself.