The Cairo bulletin., 1906-11-13
THE GIRL AND
the VILLAIN
By CARROLL sPRAcUE

/ iNii"h Hdu Dtrn LOOKING AZ udNA-
Her bones ached from WEAKNESS and
I her heart ached because this October
! she would have been hunting nat
for herself and not for his sister-in-Iaw
II Tom--but what was the use OF
thinking Of that! She was done with
Tom, He was villain. and no girl
that had the least mite Of sef-respect
| could afford to treasure the memory
of villain In her heart.
Your sister could use the room on
the kitchen for nursery" the agent
was saying. The sun shines there all
the morning"
Lillian heard the words, but did not
comprehend She was looking out OF
the window, and wondering how any
man could walk so much like Tom an
the man she saw turning the corner
from Wilson avenue
With a GREATNESS impatience-aT
! though she knew Tom was In Denver.
she raised the sash and leaned out.
Just then tie man looked up. 1t was
Tom. Her heart stopped beating for
moment, and she thought she would
| fall to the pavement
There was a man here this MORN
ing, the agent said, as she closed the
sash and turned toward him. He
likes the place. He is going to bring
his wife tomorrow. If you want ii
you would better"
That was Toms footstep on the
stair How dared he come up 10
speak to her' How dared he, She
heard him slam the hall door and she
turned to the window again as he
strobe into the room.
Lillian he cried, in passionate
protest and his voice thrilled her as
of old Il have been looking for yor
for months. | didn't know the name
of your sisters husband, and nobody
knew your address. Thank heaven,
have found you"
Lillian would not look at him In
deed she turned white face toward
the agent
This man annoys me-" she said.
81 do not wish to speak to him"
See here. young fellow. clear out
The agent hustled forward threaten.
ingly.
Who are you?" asked Tom as he
looked the agent over.
THAT none OF your business. You
get down stairs before | throw you
down.
Tom laughed.
"This young woman is my prom
Used wife, he said. II have been
looking for her for months. Before
you throw me downstairs I'm going
to have an explanation from her.
There is nothing TO explain said
Lillian to the agent She wondered in
her heart how SO great a villain could
have so much hardihood.
You hear that?' said the real es.
tate man. There Is nothing TO ex-
plain Get along with you. now" He
laid his hand on Toms shoulder and
made as If he would push the western
er toward the stairway
Tom hurled the agent half way
across the IooHl,
I'm call the police" cried the agent.
as he ran to the stairway and disap-
peared
Tom caught the girl by the should
er and made her look around Then he
held her hands.
Lillian. I'm entitled TO an explana-
ton. and I'm going to have It. Tell
me what is wrong What have
done?"
You are a brute, she said, on the
verge of tears
II don't care how many names you
call me, but YOU must explain Why
did you send back my ring and my
letters and run away without a word?
must know
Helen showed me your letter."
And If she did, A letter | wrote
years before | ever saw YOU. I'll ad.
NIT that | once thought ! was fond
Of Helen Surely you-
THE letter was dated June 1906"
Then the date was a forgery. |
wrote it in June 1908"
u don't believe It | hate you"
You may hate me, but YOU must
believe me. Lillian, look at me. Did
| ever lie to you? | swear to you up
on my honor that never wrote line
10 Helen after we were engaged.
What a spiteful thing she is You
believe me? You must believe me
There was a heavy tread on the
stairway
There he is Look out for him.
he's dangerous.
The agent had two policemen with
him. The minions Of the law took
Tom I'm custody without any prelimin-
aries
As they led him downstairs the real
estate man lifted his hat calamity.
Your tormentor is gone. said be.
They will lock him up over night
Allow me to see Won safely home.
Thank YOU no. said Lillian coldly.
she followed the officers and their
prisoner downstairs and caught up
with them on the pavement
Tom. she cried Il believe you.'
And after due explanations we're
made the policemen laughed aud per
nitted their prisoner TO depart with
MS Gaucee