The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-05-29

III MAOAA DE EAAAEA AAAaAaF AAANAN e-AN -
many bad men roaming the hills"
The German came IN shortly 70 light
the lamp. and. although she asked no
further questions, Helen's uneasiness
increased She half listened 10 the stO-
ries with which Strive tried to enter
tain her and ate little Of the excellent
meal that was shortly served TO them.
Strive meanwhile ate and drank al
most greediIy. and the shadowy, SIMS
ter evening crept along. A strange
cowardice had suddenly overtaken the
girl. and II at this late hour she could
have withdrawn she would have done
so gladly and gone forth to meet the
violence OF the tempest But she had
gone too far for retreat, and, realizing
that for the present apparent compli-
ance was her wisest resource, she sat
quiet, answering the man with cool
words while his eyes grew brighter,
his skin more flushed, his speech more
rapid. He talked necessarily and with
feverish gayety, smoking numberless
cigarettes and apparently unconscious
of the flight OF time. At last he broke
VI buuuCllS uhu NOhohAbC0 Las Woe~A4s
while Helen remembered that she had
1 not heard Shortz In the kitchen for
! long time. Suddenly Strive smiled on
her peculiarly, with confident cunning.
! AS he leered at her over the disorder
between them he took from his pocket
a fat bundle, which he tossed to her.
"Now for the bargain, ehY'
AzIv xhn 70 fhnca 6kch-
es," she said as she undid the parcel
with clumsy fingers.
II sent him away two hours ago."
said Strive, arising as If to come to
her She shrank back, bat he only
leaned across, gathered up the four
corners Of the tablecloth and, twisting
them together, carried the whole
thing out the dishes crashing and jan
Cling as he threw his burden reckless
~ 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 voluminous than she had sup
posed.
For a 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 wretched plot stood out plain.
its 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
at last be rendered. 1t would be her /
triumph and her expiration 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.
"It is here"
"Of course it 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 throa,
from an invisible clutch. Eyes, your
lover particularly, for he's the real
one That's why l brought you here
He'll marry you but I'll be the best
man" The timbre Of his voice was
unpleasant
"Come, let us CO." she said
60" he chuckled mirthlessly
that's fine example OF unconscious
humor."
what do you meanr
"Well, first. no human being coul6
una MS way oown TO the coast In tnI:
tempest second-but, by the way, lie,
me explain something in those papers
while think of It," He spoke casual
y and stepped forward, reaching for {
he package which she was about to {
give up, when something prompted her I
% snatch it behind her back, and II 6
vas well she did, for his hand was but [
few inches away. He was no match S
or her quickness, however, and she
,lided around the table, thrusting the t
'apers into the front of her dress. The Y
udden contact with Cherry's revolver n
ave her certain comfort. She spoke O
low with determination 81
II intend to leave here at once. VIII il
on bring my horse? Very well, f
hall do 1t myself" il
She turned, but his Incidence vanish g
d like fash and, springing In front
the door, he barred her way. p
Hold on, lady. You ought to under d
tand without my saying any more al
Why did bring you here? Why did I b
Ian this little party? Why did l send W
1at man away? Just to give you the d.
roof Of my completely in a crime, tt
oppose. Well hardly. You won't W
ave here tonight. And when you do pt
on won't carry those papers Ny own as
ifety depends on that, and am self IN
h, so don't get me started. Listen" th
hey caught the wall of the night cry al
g as though hungry for sacrifice II
10, you'll stay here and te
He broke off abruptly, for Helen th
Id stepped to the telephone and taken pc
,wn the receiver. He leaped, snatch III
a.