Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-14

all the time and you will need me still
more. I will not 60"
Perhaps it will be better" said HALL
well, gently wishing to spare her the sight
of the struggle that must come. For the
child's sake" he added, for more effective
argument your husband is right"
''Oh.'' she flung out, "he is not my hus-
band
"What?'
HE is my brother Oh do you suppose
would have chosen such man from
among men-such a man- ana she
The man scowled. He had opened the
door and stood listening. The great hound
was in sight now, head down, MS 1oyiui
cry beating against the silence.
But Halliwell did not look toward MIN.
His eyes were on Theo.
'.You are free" he said, and it seemed
as If, in the whole world, there was ohly
one thing of Importance, and that was iiei
Il am free she said and seemed to
give her soul to him as she said 1t.
Then, said Haliweli. as he ne , Wntllea
Put it DOWN. he ordered, for the dog was
in range, and Duval had his gun up.
Euval laughed, an ugly laugh.
when / have killed him., he said;
But you shall not kill him." said Ham
well. MY dear Duval, we live In the tWel,-
tieth century, and don't use the methoos
of highwaymen. Put 1t down! ne auo. -
sternly, as Duval brought the muz1ie ~
i
no attention. he sprang forward, knockeu
it up, and the shot went off harmiessly IN
the air.
For a moment the two men Shrugged
then Duval wrenched himself free. on,
you are the stronger" he grunted, ana nus
breath was short. Call your dog, II you
want him ,,,
Cerberus came against Halliwell like a
shot from catapult, joy in his eye,
strength In every line of his huge pooy,
and all affection from the tip of his ears
to the wag of his tail. with ms paws on
HaIliwelps shoulders he gave his master
greeting, then Topped down at HIS leo' anu
painted ecstatically. ho
"And now" said Halliwell lightly as ne
sat down with the gun across his Knee
what is the mystery!
Il suppose you VIII ma out IL uoii
tell you," snarled Duval.
II suppose / SHALL" said Halliwell pleas
antIy $50 go ahead. Now, whose child Is
that?' ,,, la
Duyal gave the name that the girl had
given. NV uncle's child. He is old and
was his heir Then he married. ana now
this child stands between me ana 'he HUI
$50 you stole ito" said Halliwell, slowly.
yes, came here, and fixed the house
up so that Theo would stay, ana then l
brought her up and she thought 1t was
iollv good fun camping in the woods, and l
knew when winter came she couldn't get
away No one ever comes up here in WIN
ter. And after the cold came she liked 1t
and three days ago prougnt the cliilo'
and made her take care of It,
what was your oDJect!
."To make the old man suffer. He had
But it was the child that suffered" broke
in Theo And he will starve II we don
get him away from here.
There was a diabolic CLEAN OF nope IN
Duval's eyes, and at sight OF II Iheo COW
cred her face and shuddered.
IF you had not come she murmured 10
have
snow and storm with the baby in my arms
before would have stayed in this place
why didn't you tell me last mighty ask
ed HalliweL, gently.
because he promised that if I would pass
as his wife. ne would go at once for nurse,
and 1 was weak enough to believe him.
To quiet the waling of the child, she Of
fered it once more the oft-refused milk, ana
all at once the little thing stopped crying
and sucked at the spoon eagerly.
'.Oh see" she cried. and tears of relief
rained down her cheeks, he likes it,
Halliwell knelt beside her. 1--WE will take
him back together-you and L.
What about me?'' demanded Duval sui
len and beaten.
"Oh, you can go to the-end of the world"
amended Halliwell politely. Your uncle
will hush things up to avoid scandal. VIII
see to that but you had better keep away.
They will take my word for it and Miss
DuvarS'
But they won't forgive me- said Theo.
ooh yes they will" said Halliwell gayly.
"And if they do not, why we will take care
of you, Cerberus and II He spoke to the
dog Here is your mistress, old fellow.
You're to look after her and guard her all
the rest of your life, as l shall, if she will
let me-
From the door came DuvaTs voice cynical,
taunting:
Isn't this rather-er sudden?"
ooh no." said the other simply, as Theo
reached out her hand to him in silent graft
tude Il have waited for it all my days"