Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-11-28

said Strive, arising as If to come to
her. She shrank back, but he only
leaned across, gathered up the four
corners OF the tablccloth and, twisting
them together. carried the whole
thing ont. the dishes crashing and jan
Cling as he threw his burden reckless
ly into the kitchen. Then he returned
and stood with his back to the stove,
staring at her while she perused the
contents of the papers, which were
more volulninous than she had sup
posed.
For n long time the girl pored over
the documents. The purport of the
papers was only too Obvious. and as
she read the proof OF her uncle's guilt
stood out clear and damning. There
was no possibility of mistake. The
whole wrctchcd plot stood out plain,
It's darkest infamies revealed.
In spite Of the cruelty Of her disillu
sionment Helen was nevertheless ex-
allied with the fierce ecstasy of power,
with the knowledge that Justice would
Mt last be rendered. 1t would be her
triumph and her expiation that she.
who had been the unwilling tool of
This miserable clique, would be the ono
through whom restitution was made
She arose with her eyes cleaning ana
lips set.
at IS here"
ZOE course It Is. Enough to convict
4 rs all 1t means the penitentiary for
your precious uncle and your lover"
I 4
mention ns though to free his throat
from an Invisible clutch Yes. your
lover particularly, for he's the real
one. That's why | brought you here
He'll marry you, but I'll he the best
man" The timbre of his voice was
unpleasant.
4 Come let VS. 60" she said
GO" he chuckled mirthlessly
"That's a fine example Of unconscious
humor."
What do Won me5n?'
well, first C., human being could
I find his wSy down to the coast in this
/ Tempest; secoud-but, by the way, lei
/ 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 il behind her back, and Il
wa, welt she did. for his hand was but
Il few inches away He was no match
for her qulckness. 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 a certain comfort She spoke
now with determinations.
81 intend to leave here at once. VIII
you bring my horse? Very we'll, l
shall do it myself"
She turned. hut his Incidence vanish
ed like n fash. and, springng in front
of the door. he barred her way.
Hold on lady You ought TO under
stand without my saying any more
Why did hiring you here? Why did
plan this little party: Why did | send
that man away: lust to give you the
proof Of my completely in a 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 l am self
ish, so don't get me started. LISTEN
They caught the wall of the night cry
ing rs though hungry for sacrifice.
mo, you'll stay here and
He broke off abruptly. for Helen
had stepped TO the telephone ard taken
down the receiver. He leapeti. snatch
ed It from her and then, tearing the
instrument loose from the wall. raised
1t above his head dashed 1t upon the
floor and sprang toward her. but she
wrenchei herself free and fled across
the room The mans white hal" was
wildly tumbled. his face was purple,
and his neck and throat showed swol-
len, throbbing veins. He stood still,
however and his lips cracked into his
ever prescnt. 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 III take 1t. Think over
which it will be while lock up"
Far down the mountain side 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 rs though
behind him yelled n thousand devils
squirting hcadlong through gully and
ford, up steep slopes and down invlsi-
bic rayines. Sometimes the animal
stumbled and fell with its master
sometimes they arose together but
the man was Needless of all except his
haste, insersible to the rain which
smote him blindingly, and TO the wind
which seized him savagely upon the
ridges or gasped at him In the gul-
lies with exhausted malice. At last he
gained the plateau and saw the road
house light beneath, so drove his heels
into the Gauks Of the wind broken
creature, which lunged forward game
ly. lie 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
\ .