The Red Cloud chief., 1908-01-31
soldiers guarding the house hereafter.

soldiers guarding the house hereafter.
"why-they won't hurt us
"Tut, tut! I know what I'm talk
ing about. We're In worse danger
now than ever, and II we don't break
up those vlgilantes there'n he blood
%shed-that's what. They're a menace.
and they're trying to- force me OIL the
bench 40 they can take the law into
their own hands again. That's what ]
want TO see you about. They're plan
ming 10 kill Alec and me-so he says
and we've got to act quick to prevent
murder. Now, this young Glenister Is
one OF them, and he knows who the
rest are. DO You think you could get
him to taltT'
IL don't think ] quite understand
yori," said the girl, through whitening
lips.
ooh, yes, you do. | want the names
of the ringleaders. SO that | eau jail
them. You can worm IL out of that fel-
low If you try"
Helen looked ut the old man in Il hUc-
ror that mt first was dumb. you ask
this of meY'' she demanded hoarsely
at last.
Nonsense" he said i%rritably. "rhis
isn't any time for silly scruples. It's
life or death for me, maybe, and for
Alec too" lie said the last craftily.
but she stormed at him:
cts infamous! You're asking me to
betray the very man who saved us
not twelve hours ago. lie riskcd his
life for u.s."
at isn't treacbcry at all. It's pro
lection. If we don't get them, they'll
get us. wouldn't punish that young
fellow, but l want the others. Coinc
now, you've got 20 do it,"
But she said mo" firmly. and quietly
went TO her w room, where, behind
the locked door, she sat for n long time
staring with unsecing eyes, her hands
tight clinched In her lap. At last she
whispered:
Pm afraid It's true. I'm afraid it's
true
She remained hidden during the
dinner hour, and pleaded II headache
when Mcnamara called In the early
evening. Although she had not seen
him since he left her the night before,
bearing her tacit promise to wed him,
vet how could she meet him now with
the conviction growing on her hourly
? that he was "A master rogucf She
:, wrcsticd with the thought that he ana
E. her uncle. her own uncle who stood in
the place Of a father. were conspira-
tors. And yet, at memory of the
sn.lon'S GOLD hInnHn1 rannnst thut Ghp
should turn traitress, her whole being
I revolted. II he could ask a thing
like that. what other beartless, selfish
& act might he not be capable Of? Al
the long. solitary evening she kept her
room. but Mt last, feeling faint, slipped
q down stairs In search of Fred, for she
u had eaten nothing since her late break
~ fast.
Voices reached her from the parlor
IL and as she came TO the Inst step sh'
No fr0ze there I'm an attitude of listening
NJ The first sentence she heard through
a the close drawn curtains baniShed n
n qualms ut cavcsdroppinG. She stoot
for many breathlcss minutes drinkin
X In the plot that ann 10 her plainl
tx | from WllnIIi, titi tuiu'h, Shtit'''i u
her skirts. and tiptoed back to he
II room. Here she made haste madly
= tearing off her house clothes and doI
70 ming others.
III She pressed her face 10 the windoN
and noted that the night was like
Of close hung velvet pail, without II sta
is in sight. Nevertheless, she woun
heavy veil about her hat AMI face b,
fore she cXtinguishcd the light an
stepped into the hall. Hearing Men;
To mara's Good night at the front doc
an she rctreated again while her uncl
slowly mounted the stairs II pause
before her chamber, Tie called ht
II name softly, but when she did not II
,is swer continued on to his owl. room
l." When he was safely within she IL
seconded quietly, went out, and locke
Iis the front door behind her, placing IL
key in her bosom. She hurried nov
in feeling her way through the tli(
ne gloom in a panic, while in her min
was hut one frightened thought:
an. 'lll he too late. I'll be ~ late"
CHAPTER XVII.
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