The Red Cloud chief., 1908-01-31
Continued from last week.

strive tod me what l hadn't guessed.
A bottle OF wine, n aud that
fod will tell all he knows. It's a great
game McNainara's playing, and he did
wTl to get you in on it. for you're
clever, your nerve ~ good. aud your
makeup Is great for the part. I ought
to know, FOR I've turned u few tricks
myself. You'll pardon this little burst
of feeling professional piuuc. I'm
Jealous of your ability. that's all. How
ever. now that you realize were in the
same class. don't look down on me
hereafter" She opened the door and
bowed her guest ont with elaborate
mockcry.
Helen was too bewildcrcd aud hui
inflated to make much out Of this
vicious and incohcreIt attack except
the fact that Cherry Malottc accused
her OF a part in this conspiracy which
every u seemed 10 believe existed.
Here again was that hint of corrup-
ton which she encountered on ail
sides. This might he merely II wont
ans jealousy. ana Yet she said strive
had told her all about it thai Il bot
Tie of wine and a pretty face would
make The lawyer disclose everything
She could believe it from what she
knew and had heard of him. The
feeling that she was cropping in the
dark, that she was wrapped i'm n myS-
FERROUS wool of secrecy. came over her
again as it had so often Of late. If
Strive talked to that other woman.
why wouldn't he talk to her? She
paused. changing her direction to
ward Front street, revolving rapidly
In her mind MS she went her course Of
action. Cherry Malotte believed her
10 be an actress. Very well. she would
prove her Judgment right.
She found Strive busy In his private
office. but lie ieaped to his feet on her
entrance and came forward, Offering
her a chair.
Good morning. Miss Helen. You
have a fine color, considering the night
you passed. The judge told me all
about the affair, and LET me state that
you're the %pluckiest girl | know"
She Smiled grimly ut tl,e thought OF
what made her checks glow and Ian
guidiy loosened the buttons nf her
jacket.
81 suppose you're very busy. you
lawyer manT' she inquired.
Yes. but not TOO busy To attend Ia
anything you want"
oh, I didn't come on business
she said lightly. Il was out waikinp,
and merely sauntercd in
Welt, l appreciate that all The
More,'' he said in an altered tone.
twisting his chair about. I'm Iuorc
than delighted" She Judged she was
getting or well from the way his pro
fessionalism had dropped off.
Eyes, I get tired of talking to uncle
and Mr.. Mcnamara. They treat me
ms though were a little girl"
When do you take the fatal step
What step do YOU mean
Your marria1e. When does il oc.
eur: You needn't hesitate he added,
"McNamara told me about it n month
ago"
He felt his throat ginseriy NJ the
thought. but his eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
II think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking"
For some time she led him on adrOil-
ly. talking of many things in n way I"
make him wonder at her new and Hip.
pant humor. He had ncv dreamed
she could be like this-so tantaliZingly
close 10 familiarity and yet 50 madden
ingly aloof and distant. lie grew bold
err in his speech.
How are things going with u.s. she
questioned as his warmth grew pro,
nOunced. "Uncle won't talk. and Mr..
Mcnamara is as close mouthcd as can
be lately
He looked 1T her quickly. In what
Tcspect?'
She summoned up her courage and
walked past the ragged edge Of uurcr.
tainty.
NOW, don't you try to keep nae In
short dresses too. It's getting weari,
some. I've done my part, and | want
TO know what the rest Of yon are 10,
ing" She was prepared for any AT
swer
What do You want 10 know" he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't You think | can
hear what people are sayingi"
"Oh. that's il. Well, don't You pay
my attention to what people say"
She recognized her mistake aud con
tinued hurriedly:
why shouldn't |? Aren't we all in
this together? ] object 10 being used
and then discarded, | think Im emit
lied to know how the scheme is work
ing. Don't you think ! can keep my
mouth shuti'
"Of course" he laughed, trying Il
change the subject of their talk. But