Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-06-23
CHATTER x. (continued.l

fnen tnat man lied to me, she
whispered to herself. "Owen was not
there, after all. wonder what he'll
do; wonder what he'll say. He was
always a violent brute, and we haven t
met since that night he rode away
from the hut in Nevada Well, at all
events. We'll put you off bit, my
friend, and let you understand, if pos
sible, that you're not wanted"
She rang her bell quickly, and on the
appearance Of the maid spoke quite
calmly and coolly. with jerk of her
head toward the window
There's man coming to the house,
probably to inquire for me, she said
He is not under any circumstances to
be admitted. no matter for whom he
may ask. He is never to be admitted
at any time and they can be as rough
to him as they like. He wants money,
Janet, she added, with a laugh-Eas
most people do in this world; and he
has sponged on me BEFORE"
Il will give instructions, miss" said
the maid, who was beginning to won
der into what sort of service she had
got.
Joyce waited to hear the sounds of
an angry alteration; there were none.
Peeping cautiously from the window,
she watched to see if Owen Jaggard
went away; If he did go, he had chos,
en- another route, for he did not come
within sight Of the window She laugh
ed to think how easily she had cowed
him, and ran down stairs with new
sense Of security. The maid Janet
met her in the hall.
The man went away at once, miss;
he was most polite, believe" said the
girl.
Il joyce turned and walked into room
on the ground floor, which had been
used. SO she was told, by the late John
Hawley as a sort of Office. Swinging
.ight-heartedly into it. she closed the
door. and came in a moment face to
face with Owen Jaggard, who had evil
IDENTIFY at that moment stepped over
the windowsill. She was drawing
back, with q startled exclamation
when he reached hand behind him
and pointed the other sternly at her.
Stop I'll" he commanded What
sort Of stuff do you think I'm made of,
Joyce Bland, that I'll be turned from
your doors by your lackeys, like a
dog? So like these English, ]" he NUT
tered, with a laugh; .turn man away
4 from the door and leave the windows
open.
Gentlemen don't generally enter by
the window" she said.
When claim to be gentleman I'll
do as they're supposed to do, he re-
torted. Until then you've got to deal
with the man you knew in Nevada,
San Francisco, and a few other places
and you know him, don't you, Joyce
Bland ~
Not that name here: It's not mine, !"
she exclaimed, quickly. Where were
you last night?" she added, incautious-
Nv, and bit her lip the next moment
that she should so have betrayed her
self.
Where you expected me to be-" he
replied. I'm the place you SO kindly
prepared for mebut not after the fire
started. Don't take so much trouble
next time, old girl: I'm bit too slip
perry for YOU
What do you mean what mad idea
have you got into your head now? 2"
do you see that?p he asked. pulling
i little shred Of lace from a pocket and
holding 1t out to her. Ask that girl OF
yours to look through your things and
try to match 1t. found 1t hanging on
" bush near to the place you fired last
night"
Pray 60 on; wonder what else you
will say: II Is not worth the trouble OF
denying. We can come to something
more Important. Tell me what you
want here, before 7 have you turned
out Of the house. mi II.
Start the turning out business, and
mi tell 'em all here who you are and
where you came from, he replied,
slowly. Come, joyce, re not play
ing the game squarely or reasonably;
treat me we'll and / won't do you any
harm; treat me badly and It'll be the
worse Tor you."
81 begin to understand" she said,
with 4 sneer. = Like all the rest, you
are to- be bought ! suppose. Come,
name your price: can probably give
sYou more money than you We ever had
4 IA iii your life before,
sj9ss you've not hit It right, he re-
plied, steadily y don't ask you for
:aoney;; there's no question with me Of
* - y4Sx,. crlNf ~ ~ n 10vnJk ~. !,