The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-05-22
CHAPTER XIX

Der coat. knowing him veil. she wait
ed for his disclosure Of bis Grand His
sallow skin was without a trace OF
color. bis eyes were strangely tired,
deep lines had gathered about bis lips,
while bis hands kept up constant little
nervous explorations a. though for
days and nights be had not slept and
now lowered on the verge Of some hys-
terra He gave her the Impression %
a EmoIderinR mine with the tire eating
c1ose - 10 rne p0wuer. sne Juusen
that bis body had been racked by ev-
cry passion TIL now Il hung faded and
weary. yielding only to the spur Of his
restless, revengeful spirit
After a few objectless remarks he
began abruptly.
do you love Roy GlenisteF7'' His
voice. ike bis manner, was jealously
eager. and be watched her carefully as
she replied without quibble or deceit:
Yes, Kid, and always shall He is
the only true man have ever known,
and I'm not ashamed Of my feelings"
For 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 talkeT can't be in my
business But this is my last chance;
and I want to put myself right with
ron I've loved ron ever stree the
Dawson days, moi ia the way you'd
expect from man of my sort perhaps,
but With the kind 0f love that wo-
man wants I never showed nv hand,
for what was the useY That man out
held me. I'd have quit faro years back
only 7 wouldn't leave this country rs
long as you we're part Of It. and up
1ere I'm only gambler, it for nothing
else. T'd made up my mind to let you
have him iii something happened a
couple OF months ago. but now 1t can't
60 through. I'll have to down hiEs
1t isn't concerning you. I'm not
welcher. No, It's thing can't talk
about-a thing that's made me into
wolf. made me skuIk and walk the
alleys like a dago It's put murder
into my heart I've tried to assassi-
nate him. I tried it here last night
butt was gentleman onee-tfI the
cards came He knows the answer
now, though, and he's ready for me. so
one Of us will 60 ont like candle
when we meet. felt that I had to
tell you before I cut him down or be-
fore he got me"
You're talking like mailman
Kid" she replied and ron mustn't
turn against him now He has trou-
Dles enough never knew you cared
'or me What tangie 1t is, to be
sure. You love me. I love him. he
owes that girl and she loves a crook.
Isn't that tragedy enough without
vour adding to It? You come at
rad time, too, for RIM half insane.
There's something dreadful in the air
"I'll have to kill him, the man nut !
cred doe9edly, and, plead or reason as
he would, she could get nothing from
lin except those words till at last
he turned upon him dercely.
"You say ron love me Very we'll,
cts see If you do I know the kind ,
f man Won are. and T know what
his feud will mean to him. coming
nst at this time. Put IT aside and Til 1
harry you"
The gambler rose slowly to his feet I
You do love him don't youT" She
owed her face. and he WINGED, but .
ontinued: Il wouldn't make you my Z
life that way didn't mean 1t that (
'ay'
At this she laughed bitterly ooh. I n
se. or course not. How foolish OF
le 10 expect It Of man like you.
understand what you mean now,
nd the bargain VIII stand just the
ime II that Is what you came for
wanted to leave this life and be good,
90 away and start over and play
Ie game sQuare but T see it's no use
] pay know how relentless you
e and the price is low enough. Yor
IN have me-and that--marrface talk
I'll not speak Of again I'll stay
hat I am for bis sake"
"Stopr' cried the Kid You're
roug I'm not that kind Of a sport"
il voice broke suddenly, its vehem-
ff HhfthtitA bi1 1itiAt Nbftl Ottf 1Aet-
/, love you the way a man ought
love woman It's one Of the two
cd things left in me, and I want to
he you sway from here where we
n both hide from the past where
: can start new as yOu say
You would marry me?" she asked
Tn an hour aud give my hearts
,od for the privilege but I can't 81
y this thing. not even If your own
ar NE hung upon IL 7 must XIII AZ
NJ man" -
the approached him and. laid her n.
ms about his neck. every line Of her IN
~ pleading. but he refused stead Al
My, while the sweat stood out upon ~
brow. =.
he begged They're all against II.
n, Kid He's ighting hopeless ~
BE- He laid all he had st tiat girls Isy
(. and I'll DO the same for you" -
he man qravvIad aavaQelv s'TIe nor =.