The Red Cloud chief., 1908-02-28

tnlS miserable Clique, would ne the one
, through whom restitution was made.
She arose with her eyes cleaning aud
lips set.
ut Is here
"Of course IL Is. Enough to convict
us all. 1t means the penitentiary for
your precious uncle and your lover"
He stretched his chin upward Mt the
mention ms though to free his throat
from an invisible clutch. "Yes, your
lover particularly, for he's the real
one. That's why I 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
tn snatch it behind her back, and Il
was well she did, for his hand was but
n few inches away. He was no match
for her luickuess. however. and she
glidcd around the table, thrusting the
| papers into the front of her dress. The
sudden contact with Chcrry's revolver
gave her Il 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 II flash. 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 | 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 II crime. |
suppose. Well. hardly. You won't
leave here tonight. And when you 10
You wont carry those papers. My W
safety depends on that, and | nm self
iSt. so don't get me started. LiStcn!'
They caught the wall Of the night cry
ing. as though hungry for sacrifice.
NO, you'll stay here and
He broke off abruptly. for Helen
had stepped to the telephone and taken
down tine receiver. lie lcaped. snatch
ed il from her and then, tearing the
instrument loose from the wall. raised
it above his head. dashed it upon the
floor aud Sprang toward her. but she
wrcnchcd herself free and fled across
the room. The mans white hair was
wildly tumblcd, his face was purple,
aud his neck and throat showed swol-
len, throhbing veins. He stood still,
however, and his lips cracked INTO his
ever present, cautious smile.
Nov. don't lets fight about this.
It's no use. for I've played to win.
iou have your proof-now I'll have my
price Or else I'll take 1t. Think over
which il will be while | lock up"
Far down the mountain side II man
WAS urging II broken pony reckIessly
along the trail. The beast was blown
and spent. its knees weak and bend
ing, yet The rider forced it rs though
behind him yelled Il thousand devils.
squirting headlong through gully and
ford, mp steep slopes and down invisi-
bic ruvines. Sometimes The animal
stumbled and fell with its master.
Somstimes they arose together, but
the man VAS needless of all except his
haste, insensible to the rain, which
Smote him blindingly, and TO the wind,
which seized him savagely upon the
ridges or gasped ut him in the gul-
lies with exhausted malice. At last he
gained the plateau and say the road.
house light beneath, so drove his heels
into the banks of the wind broken
creature, which lunged forward game.
ly. lie felt the pony rear and drop
away beneath him. paving and scram.
bling. and instinctlvely kicked his feet
free from the stirrups. striving to
throw himself out of the saddle and
clear of the thrashing hoofs. II seem.