West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-10-17

him. He was a young MIN, with
marks OF brilliancy showing through
the dissipation betrayed by his siIyery
hair and coarssned features.
"Oh. I don't know what to do" Ia.
msnted the girl.
"AnybodJ else hero besides your
asked her escort OF the lawyer.
mo. I'm runnin' the law business
innssisred. Don't need any help.
Dunhnm's I'm wash'n'ton. ID. c., the
Ian OF the home, the froe of the brave.
What can i do for your
He made to cross the threshold hos
pitably. but tripped, plunged forward
and would have rolled down the stairs
had not Glenister gathered him up and
borne him back into the Office. where
he tossed him upon bed I'm n rear
room.
Nov what, Miss Chester?" asked
the young man, returning.
isn't that dreadfulr' she shuddered.
"Oh, and I must sec him tonightw
She stamped impatiently. II must SEQ
him alone"
mo. you mustn't" said Glenister,
with equal decision. "In the first
place. he wouldn't know what you
were talking about. and, In the second
place. know Strive. He's too drunk
to talk business and too sober to
well, to see you alone"
"But must see him." she insisted.
IT'S what brought mo here. You
don't understand"
II understand more than he could
He's In no condition to net on any
important matter. You come around
tomorrow when he's sober"
ut means so much" breathed tho
girl. THE beastw
Glenister noted that she had not
wrung her hands nor even limited at
tears, though plainly her disappoint-
ment and anxiety were consuming her
"well. 1 suppose I'll have to wait.
but I don't know where to go-some
hotel. I suppose"
There aren't any. They're building
two, but tonight you couldn't hire
room In Nome for money. was about
to say love or money Have you no
other friends here-no women? Then
you must let me find a place for you.
have a friend whose wife will take
you in"
She rebelled at this. Was she never
to have done with this mans favors?
She thought OF returning to the ship,
but dismissed that. She undertook to
decline his aid. but he was halfway
down the stairs and paid no attention
TO her begfnning-so she followed him.
II was then that Helen Chester wit
messed her first tragedy OF the frontier
and through IL came TO know better
the man whom she disllked and with
whom she had been thrown so fateful-
ly. Already she had thrilled at tho
spell Of this country. but she had not
learned that strength and license carry
blood and Violence AZ corollaries.
Emerging from the doorway at the
foot Of the stairs, they drifted slowly
along the walk, watching the crowd.
Besides the universal tension, there
were laughter and hope and exhllara-
ton In the faces. The enthusiasm OF
this boyish multitude warmed one.
The girl wished to get into this spirit
to be one OF them. Then suddenly
from the babble at their elbows came
a discordant note, not long nor loud,
only a few words, penetrating and
harsh with the metallic quality lent by
passion.
Helen glanced over her shoulder to
nnd that the smiles OF the throng were
gone and that Its eyes were bent on
some scene In the street with an eager
interest she had never seen mirrored
before. simultaneously Glenister spoke:
Come away from here"
With the quickened eye OF experience
he foresaw trouble and tried to drag
her on, but she shook off his grasp i'm
patiently and, turning, gazed absorbed
at the spectacle which unfolded itself
before her. Although not comprehend
Ing the play OF events, she felt vague
ly the quick approach Of some crisis,
yet was unprepared for the swiftness
with which 1t came.
Her eyes had leaped to the figures OF
two men In the street from whom the
rest had separated like oil from water.
One was slim and well dressed, the
other bulky, mackinawed and lowering
OF feature. It was the smaller who
spoke, and for a moment she misjudged
his bloodshot eyes and swaying car
riage to be the result OF alcohol until
she saw that he was racked with fury.
make good, tell you, quickl Give
me that bill OF sale, you -"
The unkempt man swung on his heel
with growl and walked away, his
course leading him toward GIenister
and the girl. With two strides he was
abreast OF them; then, detecting the
flashing movement of the other, he
whirIed like a wild animal. His voice
had the snarl Of beast in II.
I'VE had to have IL, didn't ye7 Well,
thereT
The actions of both men were quick
as light, yet to the girls taut senses
they seemed theatrical and deliberate.
Into her mind was scared forever tho
memory OF that second as though the
shutter OF camera had snapped, Inn
pressing upon her brain the scene,
sharp, clear cut and vivid. The shng-
gy back OF the large man almost brush
ing her, the rage drunken. white shirt
ed man I'm the derby hat, the crowd
sweeping backward like rushes before
blast, men with arms fexed and feet
raised In flight. the giaring yellow sign
Of the "Gofd Belt Dance Hall" across
the way-these were stamped upon her
retlna, and then she was jerked VIC
lently backward, two strong arms
crushed her down upon her knees
against the wall, and she was smoth-
cred in the arms OF Roy Glenlstcr.
"My Cod Don't move! We're in
llner
He croushed over her, his cheek
against her hair, his weight forcing
her down into the smallest compass,
his arms about her, his body forming
a living shield against the flying bull
lets. over them the big man stood,
and fba atpnfofnaA raor - dtr $50, ,....