Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-24

go to the city and see the people there?"
There was commanding note in his
voice which dominated at once the weak
nature of the girl before him. He was
playing a desperate game. and he must
needs play 1t quickly and forcefully to
around her waist and his eyes holding
hers. and as he talked she felt that every
thing he said was true.
you don't want to live here with Seth
Butcher and cook his food and keep his
house and grow old and ugly working for
him. If he hits you now, what will he do
then? He will kick you out to starve. 1
don't know whether you are married to
him or not. but 1t doesn't matter-here.
You come and go with me and leave this
place-come to the city and I'll give you
all the pretty clothes you want, and ring
for your finger, and ribbons of all kinds.
You'll never have to work. and at night
you can go downtown and see all the
beautiful things in the big stores, where
they have electric lights everywhere.
You'll have some one to wait upon you,
and nothing to do but look pretty. What
do you say?"
He drew her unresisting to him and
Kissed her again.
Dazed and bewildered, the girl did not
answer for time. 1t had all come so
quickly. She was used to forceful ways
among member counting had been after
this fashion. but the glittering promises
held out to her were SO beguiling, and she
wanted to see 1T all.
Who are your" she managed to utter
at last. Then Let's eat breakfas'
an yo' tell me more bout it,
They sat down side by side and Nc
Herman told her his name--a false one
and his purpose. Let us pass over the de-
tails of this plot. Enough to know that
the old tragedy of Delilah was to be
played again, and that a man compro-
missed his honor to achieve his point.
Indy was quickly persuaded that she did
not love the man with whom she was liv-
ing. and the gorgeous picture of the new
life which Denny painted for her was too
alluring to be resisted. So the unholy
project was fashioned and perfected be-
tween them. the man guileful and deter
mined. the woman simple and believing.
Then with a last caress Denny walked up
the hollow and was lost in the trees and
bushes. The manhood in him writhed with
the pain of the insult which he had thrust
upon It, Denny did not try to excuse him.
self to the conscience which rebuked him
at every step he took. He knew that he
had played base part. He had chosen
limits OF his invention. and they had
failed. Justice and the blood of his dead
friend were both calling to him. For the
girl-it would not affect her seriously. BY
birth and heredity she was incapable of
the intenser emotions of the soul She
would suffer sev4e disappoin tments. and
that would be the extent of the damage
done her. She was too pretty to be left by
herself; some one would take her In, and
she would go on with her old life, the only
kind for which she was fitted. But HIM
self! When Denny turned an introspec-
tive eye upon his soul he shuddered. 1t
was his first act of dishonor-the first
faith he had ever broken. But it was too
late for futile regrets He had cast the
die with a firm hand and firm-handed he
would go through with it to the end.
At noon he went back to the Shanty for
his midday meal. Indy met him smiling
ly and voluntarily put up her lips. The
dinner was better than it had ever been:
the girl mad tried herself. When they had
eaten, the time being come when Seth
might appear at any minute, Denny re-
paired to the loft to make ready for his
part of the drama of treachery and to
await the coming of his victim. He had
little to do. for the real business lay with
the girl below. He examined his revolver
infinitely as well as the steel handouts
which he had brought with him. Each
was in perfect order Then he sat down
with his hands clasped over his drawn-up
knees. and his firm face set and mask
like. The minutes dragged into an hour.
Another. another, another, and finally
the shaooWS began To gather. The thump
of a horses hoofs sounded on the yellow
road outside. They stopped before the
shanty, and Seth cams r.
Gimme somen' to cat. gal, quick" he
said, roughly. adding low oath. up ali
night an the damned revenuers in the
hills Cold grub II do; I mus have some
sleep!'
So he talked and strobe about the room
below. shaking the rickety building with
his heavy tread. Denny heard the g.
moving brskly about, and knew that she
was getting food for her irate lord. Then
there followed the eating of the outlaw,
as he mouthed his food, beast-like. This
was succeeded by the creaking of the bed
as the big form was cast upon 1t. and
presently the shores which arose through
the ladder-hole told that the man below
was helpless. Then, noiselessly as a cat.
McKiernan descended. Indy was sitting
by the door with her elbows on her knees
and her chin In her palms. She arose 81
lently as Denny appeared.
II took his pistol away from 'im," she
whispered, her eyes big and scared. Thar
he is: git im!'
McKiernan advanced to the bed. The
powerful form of Butcher was sprawled
in deep sleep. One hairy hand rested upon
his chest; the other was thrown out over
the worn covering. The light was paling.
and time was precious. With the gives