West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-12-26

TO me. Suppose tell you I had the
papers you brought 20 mo last spring
In that safe and that they told the
whole story-whether your uncle is
uninpeachable or whether he deserved
hanging by that mob-what would you
do. eb7 What would you give to see
them? Well. they're there and ready
TO speak for themselves. III you're a
woman you won't rest till you've seen
them. VIII you trader
'Yes, yesl Give them 10 me-" she
cried eagerly. at which wave OF
crimson rushed up TO his eyes and he
rose abruptly from his chair lie made
toward her, but she retreated TO the
wall pale and wide eyed
Cant you see" she flung at him,
that I must knowT"
lie paused. "Of course | can. but
l want kiss TO bind the bargaIn-to
apply on account" He reached for
her hand with his own hot one. but
she pushed him away and slipped past
him toward the door
Suit yourself" said he. but II I'm
not mistaken you'll never rest till
you've seen those papers. I've studied
you. and I'll place n bet that you can't
marry Mcnamara or look your uncle
I'm the eye till you know the truth.
You might do either If you knew them
10 be crooks, but you couldn't II you
only suspected it-thats the woman.
When you get ready. come back. I'll
show you proof. because I don't claim
to be anything but what ! am Wilton
Strive, bargainer of some mean abil-
ity. When they come to inscribe my
headstone / hope they can carve there
on with truth. lie got value re-
ceivedI"
You're n panther" she said Ioath-
Ingly.
Graceful and elegant brute, that"
he laughed. "Arfcctlonate and full of
play, but with sharp teeth and sharper
claws. TO follow out the idea. which
pleases me, | believe the creature owes
no loyalty TO its fellows and hunts
alone. Now, when you've followed this
conspiracy out and placed the blame
where II belongs, won't you come and
tell me about IL? That door leads into
an outer hall whicht opens into the
street No one will see you come or
CO."
AS she hurried along she wondered
dazedly why she had stayed to listen
so long. What II monster he was! His
meaning was plain. had always been
so from the first day he lid eyes on
her. and he was utterly coaGcienceless
She had known all this; and yet, in, her
proud, youthful confidence and in her
need, every hour more desperate and
urgent, TO know the truth, she had
dared risk herself with him. Withal,
the man was shrcwd and observant
and had OWNED her mental condition
with remarkable sagaclty. She had
failed with him; but the kIrl now knew
that she could never rest till she found
an answer to her questions. She must
kill this suspicion that ate into her so.
She thought tenderly OF her uncle's
goodness to her. chung with despairlng
faith TO the last OF her kin. The blood
ties of the Chesters were close and
she felt In dire need OF that lost brother
who was somewhere I'm this mysterious
land-need of some one In whom ran
the strain that bound her to the weak
old man up yonder There was Nc
Namara; but how could he help her,
how much did she know OF him, this
man who was now within the darkest
shadow OF her new suspicious?
Feeling almost intolerably friendless
and alone, weakened both by her re-
cent fright and by her encounter with
Strive, Helen considered as calmly as
her emotions would allow and decided
that this was no day In which pride
should figure. There were facts which
IL was imperative she should know,
and Immediately; therefore. few min
utes later, she knocked at the door of
Cherry Malotte.
When the girl appeared, Helen was
astonished TO see that she had been
crying. Tears burn hottest and leave
plainest trace in eyes where they come
most seldom. The younger girl could
not guess the tumult of emotion the
other had undergone during her alb
sence, the utter depths OF self abase-
ment she had fathomed, for the sight
Of Helen and her fresh young beauty
had aroused I'm the adventures a very
tempest OF bitterness and jealousy.
Whether Helen Chester were guilty or
innocent. how could Glenlster hesitate
between them? Cherry had asked her
self. Now she stared at her visitor in
Hospitality and without sign.
"Will you let me come in?" Helen
asked her. 81 have something to say
to you"
When they were inside, Cherry Ma
lotte stood and gazed at her visitor
with inscrutable eyes and stony face.
at isn't easy for me to come back"
Helen began, "but / felt that had to.
If you can help me, hope you Will.
You said that you knew a great wrong
was being done. / have suspected IT..
but j didn't know, and I've been afraid
to doubt my own people. You said
had part In it-that I'd betrayed my
friends. Wait n moment" she hurried
on. at the others cynical smile. Won't
you tell me what you know and what
you think my part has been? I've
heard and seen things that make me
think-Oh, they make me afraid to
think, and yet can't find the truth
You see. In a struggle like this. people
VIII make all sorts Of allegations. but
DO they know. have they any proof,
that my uncle has done wrOng?"
"1s that ailT'
"No. You said Strive told you the
whole scheme. I went to him and
tried ~ cajolc the story out Of him.
but She sblvered NJ the memory.
What success did you hlveW I'm.
quired the listener, oddly curious for
all her cold dislike.
Don't ask INC. 7 hato 10 think Of
o."
Cherry laughed cruelty. $50. failing
there. you came back 10 me. bact FOR
another favor from the wnlf We'll.
Miss Helen Chester. I don't believe