Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-10-25
The Spoilers.
By REX E. BEACH.
copyrisht. 1905. by REX Z. Beach.
CHAPTER XVII-CONTINUED


been executed so quickly and with
such lack of turmoil that the throng
outside knew nothing OF II til they
saw a man walk backward through
the door As he did so he reached
forth and slammed the wide wings
shut before his face, then turned and
dashed into the press. Inside the
dance hall loud sounds arose as the
officers clattered down the stairs and
made after their quarry. They tore
the barrier apart in time TO see, far
down the saloon, an eddylng swirl as
though some great fish were flashing
through the lily pads of Il pond. and
then the swinging doors closed behind
Glcnistcr.
Helen made her way from the thea
ter as she had come. unobservcd and
unobserving, but she walked in
dream. Emotions had chased each
other too closely tonight to be distin-
gulshablc, so she went mechanically
through the narrow alley to Front
street and thence 10 her home.
Glenister meanwhile had been swal-
lowed up by the darkness, the night
embedding him without sign or trace.
As he ran he considered what course
To follow whether to carry the call to
his comrades In town or TO make for
the creek and DeXtry. The vigilantes
might still dlstrust him, and yet he
owed them warning. McNamnra's
men We're moving so swiftly that ac-
ton must be speedy TO fOrestall them.
Another hour and the net would be
closed. while II seemed that whichever
course he chose they would snare one
or the Other--eithcr the friends who
remained in town or DcX and SlaplaCk
out In the hills, With daylight those
two would return and walk unheediug
into the trap, while II he bore the
word TO them first then the vigllantes
would be Jailed before dawn. As he
drew near Cherry Malottc's house he
saw light through the drawn cur
tnins. \ heavy raindrop FLASHED upon
his, face. another followed, and then he
heard the patter OF falling water in
crcaslng swiftly. Before he could gain
the door the storm had broken. 1t
swept up the street with tropical vio-
lencc, while breath sighed out of the
night, lifting the litter from underfoot
and pclting him with flying particles
over the roofs the wind rushed with
the rising moan Of hurricane, while
the night grew suddenly noisy ahead
of the tempest.
He entered the door without knock
ing TO find the girl removing her coat
Her face gladdcncd at sight of him,
but he checked her with quick and
cautious words, his speech almost
drowned by the roar outside.
"Are you alonc" She nodded, and
he slipped the bolt behind him, saying:
"rhe marshals are after me. We
just had run in at the Northern,
ami I'm on the go. No-nothinE scri-
Gus yet, but they want the vigilantcs,
and must get them word VIII you
help mc?" He rapidly recountcd the
row Of the last ten minutes, while she
nodded her quick understanding.
You're safe here for Il little while
she told him, "for the storm will check
them. If they should come. there's
back door leading out from the
kitchen and side entrance yondcr.
In my room you'll find French win
dow. They can't corner you very
well"
"Slapjack and Dcx are out Mt the
shafthOusc - you know - that quartz
claim on the mountain above the Mi,
dps." He hesltatcd. "Will you lend
me your saddle horse? It's Il blacl;
night, and | may kill him"
What about these men In town."
"I'll warn them first, then hit for the
hills"
She shook her head. "You can't dc
IT, You can't get out there before day,
light II you wait to rouse these PEG,
PIE, and Mcnamara has probably tele
| phmed the mines TO send party up
to the quartz claim after Dex. Tie
| knows where the old man Is as well as
you do, and they'll raid him before
dawn"
I'm afraid so, but it's all | can of
fer. VIII you give me the horse"
mo! He's only pony, asd you'd
! ibhll'l'l ilIll III INC NNhbiA. lht lllut
Is knee deep. I'll 90 myself"
Good heavens, girl, In such night
| Why, it's worth your ltfc. Listen t
! II! The creeks will be up and you'll
have to swim. No. | can't let you"
Hes II good little horse, and he'll
take me through" Then coming close
she continued: "Oh, boy! Can't you
see that | want TO help? Cam
you see that I'D die for you II Il
would do any good" lie gazcd grave
| ly into her wide blue eyes and sait
awkwardly: Yes, know. I'm sorry
things areas they arc-but yor
wouldn't have me lie to you, little wo
Man"
"No. You're the only true man
ever knew. | guess that's why | low,
you. And | do love you, oil, SO much
| want to be good and worthy to low,
you too"
She laid her face against his arm anC
carcsscd him with clinging tenderness
while the wind yelled loudly about til,
| caves and the windows drummcd be
meath the rain. His heavy brows kni