Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-02-09
DUKE OF
DEVIL
MAY=CARE
BY HARRIS DICKSON
CHAPTER xvIii.-continued
Author of
The Black Volts Breed" ETC.


CHAPTER xvIIi.-continued.
Anita looked up at him steadily,
her lips half parted, but dumb and ex-
pressioniess as if she had not heard.
There's another thing 1 wanted
you to know" he bIurted out, desper-
ately afraid that his courage might
fail him before he told it all. when
they arrested me this morning l knew
nothing about Mrs. Ashton, and
thought. of course. it was on this
charge from Vicksburg. / made up
my mind at once not to talk until
you went home-it might drag your
name through the newspapers They
would be saying that l came down
here to see you, coupling your name
with that of a fugitive from justice,
and 1 could not endure that.
81 was standing in front of Pedro's
cafe that night when you and Alice
and Mrs. Ashton got out of the cab;
saw you go into the hotel. After
that 1 walked the street all night
That's how L happened to see the am
bulance-but thought nothing of it in
connection with your party Early
that morning 1 tried to get that pig
headed Frenchman to take you a note.
or to arrange it SO l could see you
He said it would ruin the reputation
of his house, and we nearly had a
row about it. OF course I could not
afford a brawl with him, SO 1 went
away. 1 think now he must have
been suspicious of everybody because
he had sent Mrs. Ashton to the pest
house."
Anita looked away a moment. and
the tears began to crowd into her
eyes.
Now" he stood up very straight,
hn bod act bur- 80,
conscience, that is all, everything
Let me sit here minute and try to
forget; 1 am very tired
He took a seat YEARLY. Anita saw
his head droop forwad, saw him cover
his face with his hands.
Anita" his voice was very low but
she heard it; 81 ought not to have
come to you, and troubled you with
this. | have nothing now to offer you
not even myself. But 1 did want to
see you, just this once before-before
1 go-back.''
Without a moments hesitation she
slipped over and knelt beside him
This was her place. beside him; out
of all the world he had come to her;
he was hers, and she had the right.
She knelt beside and comforted him
as naturally as if she had been his
wife for half lifetime; she kissed
his forehead so gently that he was
scarcely conscious of it. He only felt
the purity, the sanctification of her
love, was only conscious of his souls
redemption.
He drew her closer to him, kissed
the lips that Quivered and did not
turn away. kissed the eyes that had
only sympathy and pardon in them.
You mustn't make a coward of me-"
he murmured. and gently untwined
her arms. Then he rose and stood
for moment looking down upon her
as she knelt beside the vacant chair.
-Good-by,' he said, moving toward
the door.
mo. no. no." she sprang up with
n cry. almost a scream He turned
and caught her as she came flying to
him. Vainly she battled to control
herself; her whole tense body re-
Taxed and gave way in his arms.
You must go. co. she whispered
go. and-take me-
Once she had formed the determine
tion, once she dared breathe it to him,
she pleaded desperately, boldly, de-
fantly-peaded for a woman's very
life.
Yes. yes. you must take me.
could not bear to stay here while you
were wandering IN lndt QredQIui
country. I wouldn't even know where
YOU We're; you might be ill-no one
to nurse you-you might die I can't
let you go; I can't. I can't
The slender fingers were clasped
like cords of brass behind his neck
so unyieldingly, she held him. The
round young arms touched his throat,
and the throbbing of her pulses mad
.dened him.
His heart stood still. then bounded
upward with one great burst of ex-
ultation.
Take me, Noel; I'll be no trouble
indeed l won't, 1 promise" and the
binding mists swan before her.
A new and boundless world
stretched out suddenly before him.
He saw a new land. a new life-vast
mountains the surging seas. the wild
free birds-and love- He grew
stronger, his brain cleared, and life
giittered with a newer glory The
strength of his arms crushed her to
him, and Anita knew that she had
won.
He loosed her slowly. led her to a
chair and took his seat beside her 1t
could be done, of course it could be
done; but he must think
Yes, yes he began. excitedly, cit
can be done. easily done But we
could not smuggie your trunk out OF