The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-31

staring at her while she perused the
contents Of the papers, which We're
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 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 eXpiation that she,
who had been the unwilling tool OF
ihis miserable clique, would be the ono
through whom restitution was made
She arose with her eyes cleaning and
lips set
1T 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 Yes, 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.
Go" he chuckled mirthlessly.
'"That's a fine example Of unconscious
humor"
what do you mean?"
"Well, first, no human being could
find his way down to the coast in this
tempest; second-but, by the way, let
me explain something in those papers
while l 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
20 snatch it behind her back, and II
was well she did, for his hand was but
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 a certain comfort. She spoke
now with determination.
II intend to leave here at once. Will
you bring my horse? Very well, 1
shall do 1t myself"
She turned, but his Incidence vanish
ed like fash, 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 l bring you here? Why did 1
plan this little party? Why did send
that man away? Just to give you the
proof of my completely in crime, 1
suppose. Well, hardly. You won't
leave here tonight. And when you do
you won't carry those papers. My own
safety depends on that, and l am self
ish, so 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 1t from her and then, tearing the
instrument loose from the wall, raised
it above his head, dashed it upon the
floor 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.
You have your proof-now III have my
price-or else I'll take it. Think over
which it will be while l lock up
Far down the mountain side a man
was urging n broken pony recklessly
along the trail The beast was blown
and spent, its knees weak and bend
inC. yet the rider forced It as though
behind him yelled q thousand devils,
squirting headlong through gully and
ford. up steep slopes and down invisi-
bic ravines. Sometimes the animal
stumbled and fell with its master,
sometimes they arose together, but
the man was Needless of all except his
HlScISlDlc W TIE RAIN, WHICH
smote him blindingly, and to the wind,
which seized him savagely upon the
ridges or gasped at him in the gull
lies with exhausted malice. At last he
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
ly. He felt the pony rear and drop
away beneath him, paving and scram-
bling, and instinctively kicked his feet
free from the stirrups, striving to
throw himself out Of the saddle and
clear of the thrashing hoofs. 1t seem
ed that he turned over in the air be-
fore something smote him, and he lay
still, his gaunt, dark face upturned to
the rain, while about him the storm
exultantly.
The moment Strive disappeared into
the outer room Helen darted to the
1t was merely single sash,
nailed fast and immovable, but seizing
one Of the little stools beside the stove
she thrust it through the glass, letting
in smother of wind and water. Be
fora 81,