The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-03-02
TheSpOilers.
~ 0RX b. BRAch
Copyright no. By Rsx n Beach.


was no possibility OF mistake. The
whole wretched 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
ut last be rendered 1t would be her
triumph and her expiatlon that she,
who had been the unwilling tool of
this miserable clique, would be the one
through whom restitution was made.
She arose with her eyes cleaning and
lips set.
1T is here"
"Of course II Is. Enough to convict
us all. 1t means the penitentiary for
your precious uncle and your lover"
He stretched his chin upward AT the
mention as 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.
Hell marry you. but I'll be the best
man" The timbre OF his voice was
unpleasant.
Come, let us GO" she said.
$50" he chuckled mirthlessly.
That's fine example of unconscious
humor."
"What do you meanT
"Wcn. 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 snltch il behind her hack. and ii
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, thrustlng the
papers into the front'of her dress. The
sudden contact with Chcrrv's revolver
gave her a certain comfort She spoke
now with determination.
II intend to leave here at once VIII
You bring my horse? Very well. |
shall do il myself"
She turned. but his Incidence vanish
ed like a flash. and, springng in front
I, OF the door. he barred her way.
Hold on. lady. You ought to under
stand without my saying any more.
Why did l bring you here? Why did |
plan this little party? Why did L send
that man away? Just 10 give you tie
proof of my completely in a crime,
suppose. Well. hardly. You won't
leave here tonight And when you dc
you won't carry those papers. My owl
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 as 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
instrume loose from the wall. raised
il above his head dashed II upon the
floor and sprang toward her. but she
wrenched herself free and fed across
| the room. The mans white hair was
wildly tuInbled. his face was purple
and his neck and throat showed swol
len. throObing 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 IT, Think over
which it will be while lock up"
Far down the mountain side n 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 as though
behind him yelled thousand devils
| squirting headlong through gully and
ford, up steep slopes and down invlsi
BILE ravines. Sometimes the animal
| stumbled and fell with its master
sometimes they arose together, but
| the man was needless Of all except his
| haste. insensible 10 the rain. which
smote him blindingly. and to the wind
| which seized him savagely 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 aud 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. II was merely a single sash.
nailed fast and immovable, but seizing
one of the little stools beside the stove
she thrust II through the glass, letting
in a smother of wind and water. Be
fore she could escape Strive bounded
into the room, his face livid with an
ger, his voice hoarse and furious.
But as he began to denounce her he
paused in amazement, for the girl had
drawn Cherry's weapon and leveled II
at him. She was very pale, and her
breast heaved as from swift run
while her wondrous gray eyes were
lft xxrfth Eubt No man haH ayar aaau