The Newark journal. (Newark, Ark.) 1901-1959, 1907-02-22

tie valley just above here-an open
place where your railroad and Uncle
Somerville's run side by side?"
Yes, it is a 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 if 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
terence, wouldn't your"
Perhaps. That was one of the
risks l took, part of the price-paying
spoke of. If 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 a 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 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 I can only de-
fend myself by saying that l didn't
know about it until few minutes ago.
What is to be done?-but stop: you
needn't tell me- I 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 belonged in
definitely with due vigilance on the
part of Mr.. Darrah's mercenaries
I'm smashed, Miss Gafteret, carefully
and permanently. All, well, it's only
one more fool for love- Hadn't we
better so in? You'll take cold stand
ing out here
She drew herself up and put her
hands behind her
Is that the way you take it, Mr.
Winton?"
The acid laugh came again.
Would you have me tear 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 1 done all
this-humbled myself into the very
dust-to no purpose?'
Not if you will give me the one
priceless word I am thirsting for"
ooh, how shameless you are," she
cried, will nothing serve to arouse
the better part of your"
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 I
have won, may come back to your
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 it and inhaled it, though there
was nothing visible to indicate it.
The Raiah was buried in the depths
of his particular easy-chair putting
his cigar; Bessie had the Reverend
Billy in the tete-a-tete continuance,
and Mrs. Carteret was reading under
the Pintsch drop-light at the table.
1t was the chaperon who applied the
firing spark to the electrical possibili-
ties.
Didn't I hear you talking to some
one out on the platform, Virginia?''
she asked.
yes, it was Mr.. Winton. He came
to make his excuses.
Mr.. Somerville Darrah awoke out
of his tobacco reverie with a start
"Hah!" he said, fiercely. Then, in