Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-05-08


first he had better arm himself, as he
did not know who or how many he
might have to deal with.
His mind once made up, the Texan
removed his slippers. crept softly up
the stairs to his room, then down
again. pausing once more outside the
billiard room. but this time listening
deliberately.
"Mr. Fitzgeorge," womans voice
was saying. "my patience is exhaust
ed. Why all this talk? Your scheme
is blackmail-nothing else. Give me
the letters, take your pay and GO"
With stab of pain the Texan recog-
nized the voice as Miss Renwyck's,
and 1t came with double pang at
the thought that she was meeting
some unknown rascal in the dead OF
night-that she was buying letters
from him.
"What lettersg" his heart questioned
jealously. He longed to rush In and
kill the miscreant In his tracks. yet
wisdom held his mad design In abey'
ance for the present. He peeped
through the heavy portleres and spied
two female figures on one side OF the
billiard table, while that OF man was
on the other side. with his back to-
ward the library door. but with his
face half turned toward the spot where
the Texan waited.
Every WELL" whispered the man
again. 81 guess you are playing fair,
all right" He took package from
his inner pocket. Here are your let
tiers. Have you got the money!
"Yes," said Harriet softly; 81 have.
But wait. | must see that the letters
are all here. Imogene, look over them
as quickly as you can. | am afraid to
turn on the light. but perhaps Mr..
Fitzgeorge will be kind enough to lend
US his lantern"
"Well. say" chuckled the visitor
quietly, you've got your nerve with
you, all right I'm sorry | didn't meet
you before" Again he laughed noise
lessly. produced his bullseye and threw
blaze OF light on the pile OF letters
which he laid upon the table. Look
'em over, Imogene. my dear" he con
tinued. with unblushing familiarity,
That's every one you ever wrote me-"
With thrill of pleasure the Texan
caught this last remark. The letters,
then, were not Harriets, after all, and
she, brave girl. had dared TO face this
scoundrel In order to shield friend.
He could wing the fellow rs he stood.
But no. That would alarm the house
and undo everything which this splen-
did woman had striven to hide. He
could wait. and IL the fellow offered no
nffront he would let him go rather
than mortify Miss Renwyck by his
own appearance on the scene. When
the man was safely gone the Texan
could then slip quietly to his room,
and these two courageous girls would
never know that sentinel had stood
guard outside the door.
Miss Imogene opened each letter to
make certain that 1t was there, counted
the pile and looked up timldly.
'They-they are not all here" she
faltered. IL wrote fourteen. and
here are only twelve"
That's all got" said the burglar
shortly. "You never wrote but twelve"
But did," protested the trembling
Imogene. "You know did. Rod-er-
| mean Mr.. Fltzgeorge. oh. Harriet.
Won't you make him give me the other
woY
Eyes, will" said Harriet firmly.
"Mr Fhzgeorge. we have acted in
good faith toward you and expect at
least fair return. You demanded
500. have the money here In my
hand, but ! tell you once for all that
| shall not pay you unless you sur
render all the letters to this child"
II haven't got any more" the bur
glar answered sullenly. "And, what's
more, r. He paused at the sound OF
cat call from without and began
fumbling In his pockets. why. here
you arew he exclaimed in well felgned
establishment producing the missing
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