The Red Cloud chief., 1908-02-14
CHAPTER NIN.

lOiit 'Itil'N NV hOpl w illu tlt
Bronco Kid on her step. He
- entered and threw Off his rub.
Der coat. Knowing him we'll, she wait
ed for his disclosure of his crraud. His
sallow skin was without Il trace of
color, his eyes were strangely tired,
deep lines had gathered about his lips,
while his hands kept up constant little
nervous explorations rs though for
days ana nights he had not slept and
nov lowered on the verge of some hys-
terra. He gave her the impression of
Il s%moldering mine with the fire eating
close up to the powder. She judged
hat his body had been rackcd by cv-
cry passion till now it hung .jadcd and
weary, yielding only TO the spur of his
restless. revCngeful spirit.
After q few objectless remarks he
began abruptly:
do you love Roy Glenister:' His
voice, like his ann was jealousy
eager, and he watched her carefully as
she replied without quibble or deceit:
Yes. Kid, and | always shall. He is
the only true man I have ever known.
and I'm not ashamed of my feelings"
For II long time he studied her and
then broke into rapid speech, allowing
her no time for interruption.
I've held back and held back be-
cause I'm no talkcr. ! can't he in my
business. But this is my last chance.
aud | want to put myself right with
YOU. I've loved you ever since the
Dawson days. not in the way you'd
expect from II man OF my sort perhaps,
but with tic kind of love that n wo-
man wants. | never showed my hand.
for what was the use? That man out
held me. I'd have quit faro years back
only | wouldn't leave This country rs
long rs YOU were part of it. and up
acre I'm only II gambler, tit for nothing
else. I'd made mp my mind to let you
have him till something happened Il
couple of months ago. but now ii can't
80 through. I'll have 10 down him.
1t isn't concerning you. I'm not n
wclchcr. No. it's II thing | can't talk
abOut-a thing that's made me into ::
wolf. made me skulk and walk the
alleys like Il dago. It's put murder
| illlb INV ft.tTl. w lEltll ~ lSSilNSl'
nate him. | tried it here last night
but ! was Il gentleman once till the
cards came. He knows the answer
now. though. and he's ready for me. SO
n of us will go out like a candle
when we meet. | felt that | had "a
tell You before | cut him down or he
fore he got me"
You're talking like II mailman
Kid" she replied. 'aud You mustn'i
turn against him nov. He has trou
hleS enough. | never knew you care,
for me. What u tanglc il Is. To b,
sure. You love me. | love him. Ii,
loves that girl. and she loves II crook
Isn't that tragedy enough withou
your adding Ia II? You come ut 4;
bad time, too, for I'm half Insane
There's something dreadful in the nj
tonight
'Ill have to Kill him. the man NUT
tered doggcdly, and. plead or reason N
she would. she could get nothing from
him except those words till ut las
she turned upon him iicrccly.
You say You love me. Very well
let's see If You do. ! know the kin,
, of Il man you are, and | know villa
this fcud will mean To- him, comm:
! just at this time. Put II aside and II
marry YOU"
1 The gambler rose slowly to his feet
4 you do love him. don't yout" .Sh
: bowed her face, and he WINGED, In
> continued: II wouldn't make you IN.
wife that way. | didn't near II tina
: way"
- At this She laughed bitterly. "Oh,
So'. OF course not. How foolish O
5 me 10 expect il of II man Ike yor
: | understand what You mean .
and the bargain win stand Just III
y same. If that Is what YOU came fol