Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-06

SoNN VIII tnS KnOWlS0S9
that Justice would at last
be rendered. It would be her
triumph and her expiation that she,
VINO had been the unwilling tool Of
TINS miserable clique would be the one
through whom restitution was made.
She arose with eyes cleaning and her
lips set.
ut Is here"
OF course 1t is. Enough to convict
US all. It means the penitentiaYy for
your precious uncle and your lover"
He stretched his chin upward at the
mention as though to free his throat
from an Invisible clutch Eyes. your
lover particularly, for he's the real
one: That's why i brought you here.
He'll marry you, but I'll be the best
man.. The hmbre Of his coice was
unpleasant
Come. let us. co." she said.
Co." he chuckled, mirthiessly.
That's fine example OF unconscious
humor."
What do you mean?"
We'll. first, no human being could
find his way down to the coast In this
tempest; second--but, by.the-way, let
me explain something in those papers
while think OF 1t. He spoke casual.
" and stepped forward reaching for
package which she was about to give
give up. when something prompted her
to snatch 1t behind. her back; and It
was well she did. for his hand was
but few inches away. He was no
match TOR her uuickness, however,
and she Elided around the table,
thrMstfng the japers into the front Of
her dress. The sudden contact with
Cherry's revolver gave her a certain
comfort. She spoks now with retermi.
nation
= intend to leave here at once.
VIII you bring my horse, Very we'll,
! shall do it myself"
She turned, but his indolence van
ished like a fash, and. springing in
front of the door he barred her way.
Hold on, my lady, You ought to I'M
derstand without saying any more.
Why did I bring you here? Why did
J plan this little party? Why did
send that man away? Just to give you
the proof Of my completely in crime,
I suppose? Well hardly. You won't
leave here tonight, And when you do,
you won't carry those papers-my own
safety depends on that and / am sell
fish, SO don't get me started. LISTEN"
They caught the wall Of the night
crying as though hungry for sacrifice
mo. you'll stay here and
He broke off abruptly, for Helen
had stepped to the telephone and
taken down the receiver. He leaped,
snatched it from her, and then, tear
ing the Instrument loose from the
wall. raised it above his head, dashed
1t upon the floor, and sprang toward
her, but she wrenched herself free
and fled across the room. The mans
white hair was wildly tumbled, his
face was purple and his neck and
throat showed swollen, throbbing
veins. He stood still, however, and his
lips cracked into his ever,preseils,
cautions smile.
Now, don't let's fight about this.
It's no use,, for I've planned to win.
you have your proof-now I'll have
my price-or else I'll take it. Think
over which 1t shall be while lock up
Far down the mountain side a man
was urging a broken pony recklessly
along the trail The beast was blown
and spent. its knees weak and bend.
ing, yet the rider forced 1t as though
behind him yelled a thousand devils,
squirting headlong through gully and
ford. up steep SLOPES and down invis.
ible ravinss. 8onetimes the animal
stumbled and ksM with its faster,
sometimes they arose together but tha
man was Needless Of all except bis
haste, insensible to the rain which
srnote him blindingly, and to the wind
which seized him savagely upon the
ridges, or grasped him In the gullies
with exhausted malice. At last he
gained the plateau and saw the road
house light beneath. SO drove his heels
into the tanks Of the wind broken
creature, which lunged forward game
ly. He felt the pony rear and drop
away beneath him; paving and scram-
bling, and instipctively kicked his
feet free from the stirrups. striving to
throw himself out of the saddle and
clear of the thrashing hoofs. It SEEM
ed that he turned over in the air be-
fore something sInote him and be lay
still, his gaunt, dark face upturned to
the rain, while about him the storm
screamed exultantly.
yhe moment Strive disappeared into
the outer room Helen darted to the
window. 1t was merely single sash,
nailed fast and immovable. but seiz.
ing one Of the little stools beside the
stove she thrust it through the glass.
letting in smother of wind and
water. Before she could escape,
Strive bounded into the room, his
face livid with anger, his voice hoarse
and furious
But as he began to denounce her, he
paused in amazement, for the birl had
drawn Cherry's weapon and levelled
it at him. She was very pale and her
breast heaved as from swift run,
while her wondrous gray eyes were lit
with light no man had ever seen
there before. glowing like two jewels.
whose hearts contained the pent-up
passion of centuries. She had altered
as though under the deft hand of a.
master sculptor, her nostrils growing
In :,