Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-10-29
CHAPTER XIX.
ARIY in the evening Cherry Ma.
lotte opened her door TO Gnd the
Bronco Kid on her step. lie

Bronco Kid on her step. lie
- entered and threw of his rub.
Der coat. Knowing him well, she wait
ed for his disclosure Of his crrand. His
sallow skin was without n trace OF
color his eyes were strangely tired.
deep lines had gathered about his lips,
while his hands kept mp constant little
nervous explorations as though for
days and nights he had not slept and
now lowered on the verge Of some hys-
terra. He gave her the impression OF
q smoldering mine with the fire eating
close up to the powder. She judged
that his body had been racked by cv-
cry passion till now II hung faded and
weary, yielding only TO the spur of his
restless, revongeful spirit.
After n few objectless remarks ne
began abruptly:
do you love Roy Glenlster?" His
voice, like his manner. was jealousy
eager, and he watched her carefully AZ
she replied without bubble or deceit:
yes. kid, and always shall. lie Is
the only true man have ever known,
and I'm not ashamed OF my feelings"
For n long time he studied her and
then broke into rapid speech, allowing
her no time for interruption.
1--WE held back and held back be-
cause I'm 10 tallier. can't be In my
business. But this Is my last chance.
and want to put myself right with
you. I've loved you ever since the
Dawson days, not In the way you'd
expect from man Of my sort perhaps,
but with the kind of love that n wo-
man wants. | never showed my hand,
for what was the usey That man out
held me. I'd have quit faro years back
only I wouldn't leave this country NJ
long ms you were part OF IT, and up
here I'm only gambler, At ro- nothing
! else. I'd made MP my mind TO let you
have him ill something happened u
couple OF months ago. but now II cant
90 through. I'll have 10 down him
1t isn't concerning You. I'm not a
wClchcr. No, it's n thing | can't talk
about thing that's made me into II
wolf, made me skulli and walk tn"
alleys like dngo. It's put murder
into my heart. I've tried 10 uSsasSi-
nate him. I tried II here Inst night
| but was n gentleman once tin tn"
cards came. He knows the answer
now, though, and he's ready for me. ~
one of us will 20 out like candle.
when we meet. felt that had TO
tell you before | cut him down or be-
| fore he got me-"
You're talking like madman.
| Kid" she replied. "and You muslin
! turn against him now lie has trOu,
bles enough. ! never knew you care
| for me. What n tanglc 1t II. TO bC
sure. You love me. love him. hr
loves that girl, and she loves crook
Isn't that tragedy enough without
| your adding 10 It? You come Mt n
bad time. too, for Tim half insane
There's something dreadful in the air
tonight
"I'll have to kill him." the man nut,
tered dogcrily. and, plead or reason ns
she would she could get nothing from
him except those words tn at last
she turned upon him licrccly.
You say you love inc. Very well
let's see IL .~,n do. know the kind
Of Il man You are and know what
| this feud will mean to him, coming
! just Mt this time. Put It inside and I'll
marry you" ...
The gambler rose slowly to his feet
You do love him. don't you?" She
bowed her face, and lie WINGED, but
continued; II wouldn't make you my
wife that way. I didn't mean II that
way"
At this she laughed bitterly. "Oh,
see. or course not How foolish of
me 10 expect 1t Of man like you
understand what you mean now
and the bargain will stand Just the
! same, II that is what you came for
| wanted to leave this life and be good
| to go away and start over and play
| the game square, but I see it's no use
! I'll pay. know how relentless you
are, and the price Is low enough. You
can have me-and that-marriage talk
IN not speak OF again. I'll stay
what | am for his sake"
stop" cried the Kid. You're
wrong. I'm not that kind Of a sport
His voice broke suddenly, its vehem
ence shaking his slim body. "Oh, Cher
ry, ! love you the way man ought
to love n woman. It's one of the tive
good things left In me, and ! want tC
take you away from here where W,
can both hide from the past, wher,
we can start new, as you say" .
you would marry me?" she, asked.
"In an hour and give my hearts
blood for the privilege, but can
stop this thing. not even II your owl
doar life hung upon It. must xii
that man."
She approached him and laid hel
arms about his neck, every line OF hel
body pleading, but he refused stead
lastly, while the sweat stood out upor
his brow.
She begged: They're all agalns
him, Kid. He's fighting hopeless
fight. He laid all he had at that girl'i
feet, and I'll do the same foriyou."
The man arowled savagely. HE go
his reward. lie took all she had
Don't be fool. guess | know
You're faro dealer, but you haven
any right to talk like that about a gOoC