The Red Cloud chief., 1908-01-31
The Spoilers.
BY REX E. BEACH.
- copyrisht. 1905. by REX E. beach. -

part Of tins mystery. His manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind II all. This dis.
sipatc,l. brilliant creature knew the sit.
uation thoroughly, and yet, though
swaycd by her efforts, lie remained
chained by caution. She leaned for.
ward and smiled az him.
You're just like the others, aren't
you? You won't give me any satisfac.
ton ut all
GIVE, give, give said Strive Gym.
ically. That's always the woman's
cry. Give me t~his-give me that. Self.
ish sex. Why don't you offer some
thing in return? Men are traders;
women Insurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. | can help you. there.
fore | should do II for u smile. You
ask me TO break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. Well. that's
womanlike. and I'll do it.. I'll put my.
self in your power, but I won't do 1t
gratis. No: we'll trade"
ut isn't curiosity she denied In.
d%ignantly; "it is my due"
mo; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious. that's all. You
think I know something that will
throw Il new light or a new shadow
on everything you have in the world,
and you're worked up to such a con.
dition that you can't take your own
peoples word: and. on the other hand,
you can't 20 TO strangers. so you come
TO me. Suppose | tell you | had the
papers you brought Ia me last spring
In that safe and that they told the
whole story-whcthcr Your uncle IL
unimpcachablc or whether he deserved
hanging 10y that m"ir" what would you
do, eh? What would YOU give to soc
them? Well. they're there ana ready
10 speak for themselves. If you're ~
woman YOU won't rest till you've seen
them. Win you trader"
"Ycs. yes! Give them TO me- she
cried eagerly. at which n wave of
crimson rushed up To his eyes and he
rosc abruptly from his chair. He made
toward her. but she rctrcatcd to the
wall, pale and wide eyed.
Cant you Sec" she flung at him.
chat | must know"
lie paused. "Of course I eau, but
! want a kiss to bind the Largain-t to
apply on account" lie reached for
her hand with his wv hot one. but
she pushed him away and slipped past
him toward the door.
Suit yourself" said he, but If I'm
not mistaken you'll never rest ill
you've seen those papers. I've studied
you, and Ill place Il bet that you can't
marry Mcnamara or look your uncle
in the eye till you know the truth.
You might do either il you knew them
to bc crooks. but you couldn't If you
only suspected .it-tilat's the woman.
When you get ready, come back. I'll
show you proof, because | don't claim
to be anything but what | I'm Wilton
Strive, bargainer of some mean abil.
Ivy. When they come to inscribc my
headstone | hope they "a carve there.
on with truth. He got value re-.
%cci,cd.'"
You're II panther she said loath-
ingly.
Graceful and elegant brute, that
he laughed. "Affectionate and full Of
play, but with sharp teeth and sharper
claws. TO follow out the idea, which
pleascS inc, ] believe the creature owes
no loyalty 10 its fellows, ana hunts
alone. Now. when you've followed this
conspiracy out and placed the blame
where it belongs. won't you cone and
tell me about it? That door leads into
an outer hall which opens into the
street, No one will see you come OF
go"
Az she hurried along she wondered
dazedly why she had stayed TO listen
so long. What a monster he was. His
meaning was plain, had always been
so from the first day he laid eyes ON
her, and he was utterly constituencies
! She had known all this: and yet, in hei
proud, youthful confidence, and In hel
need, every hour more desperate and
urgent, to know the truth, she had
dared risk herself with him. Withal
the man was Shrpwd and Observan,
aud had OWNED her mental condition
with remarkable sagacity. She ha,
failed with him: but the kirl now knew
that she could never rest till she founl
an answer 10 her questions. She mus
kill this suspicion that ate into her so
She thought tenderly OF her uncle's
goodness to her, chung with despalrins
faith Ia the last Of her kin. The BLOOD
ties Of The CheSters were close anC
she felt in dire need of that lost brother
who ~ somewhere in this mysterious
land need of some II in whom raj
Tho Girain thuf hntlnl lnV IN ihn uvaal
old man up yonder. There was Nc
Namara; but how could he help her
how much did she know OF him thi'
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