West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-01-09


| Cherry Malotte's words anent strive
required 20 her. "a bottle OF wine and
n woman's face" They brought back
the lawyers assurance that those doc
uments she had safeguarded all
through the long springtlmc journey
rcary contained the proof IL they
did, then they held the power TO check
this impending conflict Her uncle
| and the boss would not dare continue
II threatened with exposure aud prose
cutlon. The more she thought OF IL
the more urgent seemed the necessity
TO prevent the battle OF tonlghs There
was n chance here at least. and tho
only one.
Adding TO her mental torment was
the constant vision OF that face In the
curtains nt the Northern. II was her
brother. yet what mystery shrouded
this affair alsol what kept him from
her? What caused him To stink away
like thief discovered? She grew
dizzy and hysterlcal
Strive turned I'm his chair as tho
door TO his private office opened. then
leaped 10 his feet nt sight of the gray
eyed girl standing there.
81 came for the papers" she said
II knew you would" Tho blood went
out of his cheeks, then surg A back up
to his eyes. IFS bargain them"
She nodded "Give them TO me first"
Hc laughed unploasnntly. what do
you take me for? I'll keep my part OF
the bargain II you'll keep yours But
this Is no place. nor time. There's
riot in the air, and I'm busy preparing
for tonight. Come back tomorrow
when it's all over
| But II was the terror OF tonight's do
ings that led her into his power.
"Tll never come back" she said. at
Is my whim 10 know todny-yes, at
once"
| lie meditated for time. Then to
day it shall be. I'll shirl( the fight.
I'll sacrifice what shreds OF duty have
flung to me. because the fever for
you is in my bones. and Il seems TO mo
I'd do murder for IL. That's the kind
Of man l am, and ! have no pride IN
myself because of ~ But I've always
been that way. Wen ride TO the Sign
OF the Sled. It's n romantic little road
house ten miles from here. perehed
high above the Snake river trail. Well
take dinner there together"
"But the papers?"
"Ill have them with me. Wen start
In an hour"
'In an hoNr" she echoed llfelessly
and left him.
He chuckled grimly and seized the
telephone. Central - call the Sled
roadhouse-sev9n rings on the Snake
river branch. Hello! That you
Shortz? This is Strive Anybody at
the house? Good. Turn them away
II they come and say that you're
closed. None of your business. III
be out about dark, so have dinner foI
two. Spread yourself and keep the
place clear Goodby"
Strengthened by Glenister's note
Helen went straight to the other wo
man and this time was not kept wait
Ing nor greeted with sneers. but found
Cherry cloaked In n shy dignity, which
she clasped tightly about herself. I'm
der her visitors incoherence she lost
her difiidence, however, and, when
Helen had finished, remarked, with de
cision: Don't go with him. He's Il
bad man."
but l must. The blood OF those men
Will be on me if i don't stop this trag.
edy. II those papers tell the tale !
think they do, l can call off my uncle
and make Mcnamara give back the
mines. You said Strive told you the
whole scheme. Did you see the proof ~
mo, L have only his word, but he
spoke OF those documents repeatedly
saying they contained his Instructions
10 tie up the mines in order TO give
foothold for the lawsuits. He
Dragged that the rest of the gang were
in his power and that he could land
lhem In the penitentlary for conspiracy.
That's ALL"
ITS the only chance" said Helen.
They are sending soldiers to the Midas
to lie In ambush, and you must warn
the ylgllantes." Cherry paled at this
and calculated:
Good Lord! Roy said he'd lead an
attack tonight" The two stared Mt
each other.
| III i succeed with Strive / can stop
1t all-all of this injustice and crime
everything"
| DO you realize what you're risk
mgr Cherry demanded. THAT .man
| Is an animal. You'll have to kill him
TO save yourself, and he'll never gNc
up those proofs
Yes, he WILL" said Helen fercely.
and defy him to harm me. The Sign
OF the Sled is a public roadhouse with
n landlord. telephone and other
guests. VIII you warn Mr.. Glenlster
about the troops?"
Il VIII, and bless you for brave
| girl Wait moment" Cherry took
from the dresser her tiny revolver.
Don't hesitate 20 use this. | want
you to know also that I'm sorry for
| what 1 said yesterday"
AS she hurried away Helen realized
with a shock the change that the past
few months had wrought I'm her. In
truth, II was as Glenlster had said
his northland worked strangely with
us denizens. What OF that shrinking
girl who had stepped out OF the shel.
tered life, strong only I'm her untrled
honesty, TO become hunted. harrled
thing' juggling with honor and reputa.
ton In her heart a half formed fear
that she might kill a man this night 10
gain her endG The elements were
molding her with irresistible hands.
Roy's contact with the primitive had
not roughened him more quickly than
had hers
She met her appointment with
strive and they rode away together. he
laxative and elatcd. she silent and lcy
Late IN the afternoon the cloud banks
TO the eastward assumed alarming pr,.
portions They brought with them an
early nlghtfaH. and when tbav bror.o
let forth q tenueqf ,vtt,l, rf.,i,..t a..