Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-01-17

ooh. that fellow is tough, and
Shortz wouldn't let him in. He's care
full whom he entcrtains. there are SO
many bad men roaming the hills
The German came in shortly to light
the lamp, and, although she asked no
further questions, Helen's uneasiness
increased. She half listened to the sto-
ries with which Strive tried to enter
tain her anf ate little of the excellent
meal that was shortly served to them.
Struve meanwhile ute and drank al
most grecdily, and the shadowy. sinis-
ter evening crept along A strange
cowardice had suddenly overtaken the
girl, and IL ut 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have withdrawn she would have done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 fur 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
fevcrIsh gayety, smoking numberless
cigarettes and apparently unconscious
Of the flight of time. At last he broke
OF suddenly and consulted his watch,
while Helen remembered that she had
not heard Shortz In the Kitchen for a
long time. Suddenly Strive smiled OH
her peculiarly, with confident cunning.
AS he leered Mt her over the disorder
between them he took from his pocket
q fat bundle, which he tossed to her.
"Now for the bargain, eh?''
ASK the man to remove these dish
es,' She said rs 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, but 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.
i " 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 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 dislllu-
sionment Helen was nevertheless ex.
allied with the fierce ecstasy of power
with the knowledge that justice would
ut 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.
Sine arose viii, her eyes cleaning and
lips set.
ut 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 throat
from an Invisible clutch Eyes, your
lover particularly, for he's the real
one. That's why brought you here.
He'll marry You, but FL be the best
1 man.. The timbre Of his voice was
unpleasant.
"Come. let us co. she said.
/ 60" he chuckled mlrthlessly.
that's a fine example Of unconscious
humor."
what do you mean?''
well, first, no human being could
ind his way down to the coast in this
tempest; second-but, by the way, let
me explain something In those papers
while I think Of tn He spoke casual
" and stepped forward, reaching for
the package, which she was about to
give up. when something prompted her
to snatch 1t behind her back, and 1t
was well she did, for his hand was but
a few inches away. He was no match
for her quickness, 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 n certain comfort. She spoke
now with determination.
II intend to leave here at once. VIII
you bring my horse? Very well, ]
shall do 1t myself"
She turned, but his Incidence vanish
ed like fash. and. springing in front
/ Of the door, he barred her why.
Hold on. lady. You ought to under
stand without my saying any more.
Why did bring you here? Why did i
plan this little party? Why did send
that man away? Just to give you the
proof of my completely in crime. /
suppose. Well, hardly. You won't
leave here tonight And when you dc
you won't carry those papers. My own
safety depends on that. and / nm self.
/ ish, 80 don't get me started. LISTEN
They caught the wall of the night cry
Ing as 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 It from her and then, tearing the
instrument loose from the wall, raised
1t above his head, dashed 1t upon the
door 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, throbbing 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
Il Ynll I'm w, Your nroof-no,, I'll hare n, /.