Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-10-21

from an invisible clutch. eyes, your
lover particularly, for he's the real
one. That's why brought you here.
He'll marry you, but III be the best
man" The timbre of his voice was
unpleasant.
Come, let us CO. she said
Co he chuckled mirthlessly.
"That's fine example Of unconscious
humor"
"What do you mean!"
WELL 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 it." He spoke casual
ly and stepped forward, reaching for
the package, which she was about to
give up, when something prompted her
to snatch it behind her back, and IT
was well she did, for his hand was but
few inches away. He was no match
for her quickness, however. and she
glided around the table. thrusting the
papers into the front Of her dress. The
sudden contact with Cherry's revolver
gave her certain comfort. She spoke
now with determination
~ intend to leave here at once. VIII
you bring my horse? Very well,
shall do it myself
She turned, but his Incidence vanish
ed like fash aud. springing IN front
of the door. he barred her way.
Hold on. lady. You ought to under
stand without my saying any more.
why did bring you here? Why did
plan this little party? Why did send
that man away? Just to give you the
proof of my completely in a crime.
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 self
ish. so don't get me started. Listen!'
They caught the wall Of the night cry
ing ms 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, snatch
ed 1t from her and then, tearing 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 swol-
len, throbbng veins. He stood still.
however. and his lips cracked into his
ever present, cautious smile.
"Now, don't let's fight about this.
It's no use, for I've played to win.
You have your proof-now I'll have my
price-or else I'll take 1t. Think over
which 1t will be while lock up"
Far down the mountain side man
was urging 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 thousand devils.
squirting headlong through gully and
ford, up steep slopes and down inyisi-
BILE rayines. Sometimes the animal
stumbled and fell with its master,
sometimes they arose together. but
the man was needless Of all except his
haste. insensible to the rain. which
smote him blindingly. and to the wind
which seized him sayagely upon the
ridges or gasped at him in the gull
lies 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 instinctively kicked his feet
free from the stirrups, striving to
throw himself out Of the saddle and
clear of the thrashing hoofs. 1t seem
ed that he turned over in the air be-
fore something smote him, and he lay
still, his gaunt, dark face upturned to
the rain, while about him the storm
screamed exultantly.
The moment Strive disappeared into
the outer room Helen darted to the
window. 1t was merely a single sash,
nailed fast and immovable, but Selling
one of the little stools beside the stove
she thrust it through the glass, letting
in smother Of wind and water. Be
fore she could escape Strive bounded
into the room, his face liyid with an
ger, his voice hoarse and furious.