West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-01-23

lips set.
ut Is here"
"Of course IL Is. Enough to convict
US all. IL means the pcnitentiary 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.
He'll marry you. but I'll be the best
man" The timbre OF his voice was
unpleasant.
Come. let ms go." she said.
Go" he chuckled mirthlessIy.
That's a fne example OF unconscious
humor."
What do you meanr'
well. first, no human being could
find his way down to the coast I'm this
tempest: second-but. by the way. let
me explain something I'm 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
was we'll she did. for his hand was but
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 certain comfort. She spoke
now with determination.
81 intend to leave here at once. VIII
you bring my horse7 Very well. I
shall do II myself"
She turned, but his Incidence vanish
cd like a flash, and. 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 1 bring you heref why did
plan this little party3 Why did send
that man away? Just to give you the
proof OF my completely I'm crime.
suppose. Well. hardly. You won't
leave here tonight. And when you do
you won't carry those papers. My own
safety depends OH that. and am self.
ish, so don't get me started. Listenv''
They caught the wall or 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
IL above bis head, dashed II upon the
hoor and sprang toward her. but she
wrenched herself free and fed across
the room. The mans white hair was
wildly tumbled. his face was purple.
and his neck and throat showed swol-
len, throbblng 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 II. Think over
which 1T will be while I 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 II as though
behind him yelled thousand devils.
squirting headlong through gully and
ford, up steep slopes and down inyIsi-
bic 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 TO the rain. which
smote him blindingly. and to- the wind.
which seized him savagely upon the
ridges or gasped Mt him I'm the gull
lies with exhausted malice. At last lie
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.
~. He felt the pony rear and drop
away beneath him. paving and scram.
bling, and instinctlvely kicked his feet
free from the stlrrups. striving TO
throw himself out OF the snddle and
clear OF the thrashing hoofs. IL seem
ed that he turned over In the air be-
fore something smote him. and he Law
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. IL was merely a single sash,
nailed fast and immovable. but Selling
one or the little stools beside the stove
she thrust 1t through the glass. letting
In a smother Of wind and water. Re.
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 deuounce her he
paused In amazement for the girl had
Drawn Cherry's weapon and leyeled II
at him. She was very pale, and her
breast heaved as from a swift rim
While her wondrous gray eyes were
III with n light no man had ever seen
there before, glowing like two Jewels
whose hearts contained the pent M
passion OF centuries. She had altered
Us though under the def hand Of a
master sculptor, her nostrils growing
thin and arched. her lips tight pressed
and pitlless. her head poised proudly.
The rain drove I'm through the shat.
tered window, over and past her. while
the cheap red curtain dashed and ybin.
ped her as though I'm gleeful applause.
Her bitter adherence OF the man made
her voice sound strangely unnatural
as she commanded:
Don't dare 10 stop mer' She NOV.
ed toward the door. motlonlng him 4,
retreat before her. and he obeyed. rec.
ognHing the danger Of her coolness.
She did not note the calculating
ireachery Of his glance. however. nor
iaihom the purposes he had in mind.
Out on the rain swept mountain the
pr'strate rider had rcgalned his senses
and now was crawling painfully 20.
ward the rOadhouse Seen through tho
dark he would have rescmbIed some
misshapen, creeping monster. FOR he
dragged himself, rcptile-lIko. close N
the ground But as he came closer the
man heard cry which the wind seem
ed guarding from his ear. and. hearing