Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-10-17

fooled better men now, see what you
can do with him.
Helen left, realizing the futiIlty Of
further effort. though she felt that this
woman did not really doubt her, but
was scourged by jealousy till she de-
Hberately chose this attitude.
Reaching her own house, she wrote
two brief notes and called in her Jap
boy from the kitchen.
Fred, l want you to hunt up Mr..
Glenister and give him this note. If
you can't find him, then look for his
partner and give the other to him. :,
Fred vanished, to return in an hour
with the letter for Dextry still in his
hand.
Il dom catch dis feller," he explain
ed. Young mans say he gone, come
back mebbe one, two, 'leven days."
did you deliver the one to Mr.. Glen
isterT'
Lies, ma'anl' .
"Was there an answer?"
lies, ma'am.''
"Well, give it to me-"
The note read:
Dear Miss Chester--A discussion of a
matter so familiar to as both as the Anvil
creek controversy would be useless. If
your inclination is due to the incidents of
last night, pray don't trouble yourself.
We don't want your pity. / am your serv-
ant ROY GLENISTER-
AS she read the note, Judge StilIman
entered, and it seemed to the girl that
he had aged a year for every hour in
the last twelve. or else the yellow aft
ernoon light limned the sagging hol-
lows and haggard lines OF his face
most pifilessly' He showed In voice
and manner the nervous burden under
which be labored
4Alec has told me about your en-
gagement, and it lifts terrible load
from me- I'm mighty glad you're going
to marry him. He's a wonderful man,
and he's the only one who can save
u.s.
What do you mean by that2 What
are we in danger of" she inquired,
avoiding discussion of McNamara's s
announcement.
why, that mob, of course They'll
come back They said SO. But Alec
can handle the commanding officer at
the post, and, thanks to him, we'll have
soldiers guarding the house hereafter"
why they won't hurt u.s.
.eTut, tut! I know what Pm talk
ing about We're in worse danger
now than ever, aud if we don't break
up those vigilantes therell be blood
shed-that's what. They're a menace,
and they're trying to force me off the
bench so they can take the law into
their own hands again. That's what
want to see you about They're plan
ming to kill Alec and mes he says
and We've got to act quick to prevent
murder. Now, this young Glenister IS
one Of them, and he knows who the
rest are. Do you think you could get
him to talk?''
II don't think l quite understand
you," said the girl, through whitening
lips.
"Oh, yes, you do. want the names
Of the ringleaders. so that can Jail
them. You can worm it out of that fell
low if you try
Helen looked at the old man IN hor-
ror that at first was dumb. You ask
this of me?n she demanded hoarsely
ataast.
Nonsense" he said irritably. This
isn't any time for silly scruples. It's
life or death for me, maybe. and for
Alec too" He said the last craftily.
but she stormed at him:
It's infamous! You're asking me to
betray the very man who saved us
not twelve hours age. He risked his
life for u.s.
1T isn't treachery at ALL It's pro
lection. If we don't get them. they'll
get US. wouldn't punish that young
fellow, but want the others Come
now, you've got to do it,
But she said No firmly, and quietly
went to her own room, where. behind
the locked door, she sat for a long time
staring with unseeing eyes, her hands
tight clinched in her lap, At last she
whispered:
N afraid it's true. I'm afraid It's
true
She remained hidden during the
Sinner hour, and pleaded headache
when Mcnamara called in the early
evening. Although she had not seen
him since he left her the night before,
bearing her tacit promise to wed him,
yet how could she meet him now with
the conviction growing on her hourly
that he was master rogue? She
wrestled with the thought that he and
her uncle, her own uncle who stood in
the place of father. We're conspira-
tors. And yet, at memory of the
judges cold blooded request that she
should turn traitress, her whole being
revolted. If he could ask q thing
like that. what other heartless, selfish
act might he not be capable of? All
Al. I,ff.