The newspaper., 1907-04-19


hope, and three other days of good
weather will send us into Carbonate
yards
She broke in upon him with lit
tie cry of impatient despair.
That shows how. unwary you have
been! Tell me: Is there not lit
tie valley Just above here-an open
place where your railroad and Uncle
Somerville's run side by side?"
Yes, 1t is mile this side of the
canyon head. What about it?"
How long is it since you have been
up there?" she queried.
Winton stopped to think. Il don't
know-a week. possibly"
Yet II you had not been coming
mere every evening, you or Mr.. Adams
would have found time to go-to
watch every possible chance of inter
ference, wouldn't you?"
Perhaps. That was one of the
risks l took, part of the price-paFing
l spoke of. II anything had happened,
l should still be unrepentant."
Something has happened. While
you have been taking things for grant
ed, Uncle Somerville has been at work
day and night He has built track
right across yours in that little val
ley, and there is a train of cars or
something, filled with armed men.
kept standing there all the time!"
Winton gave a low whistle. Then
he laughed mirthlessly.
You are quite sure of this? There
is no possibility of your being mis-,
taken?"
None at all. And 1 can only de-
fend myself by saying that 1 didn't
know about 1t until few minutes ago.
What is to be done?-but stop; you
needn't tell me. am not worthy of
your confidence"
You are; you have Just proved it.
But there isn't anything to be done.
The next thing in order is the exit
of one John Winton in disgrace. That
spur track and engine means a cross
ing fight which can be prolonged in
definitely with due vigilance on the
part OF Mr.. Darrah's mercenaries.
I'm smashed, Miss Carteret, carefully
and permanently. All, well, it's only
one more fool for love. Hadn't We
better go in? You'll take cold stand
ing out here"
She drew herself up and put her
hands behind her.
rs that the way you take It, Mr..
Winton?"
The acid laugh came again.
Would you have me tear a passion
to tatters? My ancestors were not
French"
Trying as the moment was. she
could not miss her opportunity.
How can you tell when you don't
know your grandfather's middle
name?" she said, half crying.
His laugh at this was less acrid.
Adams again? My grandfather had
no middle name. But l mustn't keep
you out here in the cold talking
genealogies."
His hand was on the door to open
| it for her Like a flash she came be
/ tween. and her fingers closed over his
on the doorknob.
Wait" she said. Have l done all
| this-huinbled myself into the very
| dust-to no purpose?"
Not II you will give me the one
| priceless word I am thirsting for
"Oh, how shameless you arei" she
cried viii nothing serve to arouse
the better part Of you?"
There is no better part OF any man
than his love for woman. You have
aroused that
Then prove IT by going and build
ing your railroad, Mr.. Winton. When
you have done that"
He caught at the word as a drown
ing man catches at a straw.
When l have won the fight-Vir'
| ginia. let me see your eyes-when
/ have won, l may come back TO you?"
81 like men who do things. Good
| night" And before he could reply
she had made him open the door for
her. and he was left alone on the
square rallied platform.
In the gathering-room OF the private
car Virginia found an atmosphere sur
| charged with electrical possibilities
felt 1t and inhaled 1t, though there
was nothing visible to indicate it
The Rajah was buried in the depths
! Of his particular easy-chair, puffins
his cigar: Bessie had the Reverend
Billy in the tete-a-tete contrivance
and Mrs Carteret was reading under
the Pintsch drop-light at the table.
It was the chaperon who applied the
hring spark to the electrical possibili