The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-17
The Spoilers.
BY REX E. BEACH.
:. copyrisht. 1905. E.. Beach.
(Contlnued from last wel X.

some. I've done my part, ana L want
TO know what the rest of you are do
ing" She was prepared for any an
swer.
What do you want to knows? he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't you think 1 can
hear what people are sayingw
''Oh, that's it! Well, don't you pay
any attention to what people say"
She recognized her mistake anu con-
tinued hurriedly:
why shouldn't 1? Aren't we all in
this together? l object to being used
and then discarded. l think I'm enti-
tied to know how the scheme is work
ing. Don't you think / can keep my
mouth shut?"
''Of course" he laughed, trying to
change the subject OF their talk. But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him, vowing that she would not
leave the Office without piercing some
part of this mystery. His manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind it all. This dis
sipated, brilliant creature knew the sit
uation thoroughly, and yet, though
swayed by her efforts, he remained
chained by caution. She leaned for
ward and smiled at him.
you're just like the others, aren't
you? You won't give me any satisfac-
zion at ALL"
Give give, give" said Strive Gym
icelly. That's always the woman's
cry. Give me this-give me that. Self
thing In return? Men are traders;
women usurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. / can help you, there
fore l should do it for a smile. You
ask me to break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. Well, that's
womanlike, and I'll do it. I'll put my
self in your power, but 1 won't do it
gratis. No; We'll trade"
1T isn't curiosity" she denied in
dignantly; ut is my due"
mo; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious, that's all. You
think l know something that will
throw new light or a new shadow
on everything you have in the world,
and you're worked up to such a con-
dition that you can't take your own
peoples word and, on the other hand,
you can't go to strangers, so you come
to me. Suppose tell you I had the
papers you brought to me last spring
In that safe and that they told the
whole story-whether your uncle is
unimpeachable or whether he deserved
hanging by that mob-what would you
do, Ell? What would you give to see
them? Well, they're there and ready
to speak for themselves. II you're a
woman you won't rest till you've seen
them. viii you trade"
Eyes, yes! Give them to me-" she
cried eagerly, at which wave of
rose abruptly from his chair. He made
toward her, but she retreated to the
wall, pale and wide eyed.
Cant you see," she flung at him.
that l must know?"
He paused. "Of course l can, but
/ want q kiss to bind the bargain--to
apply on account" He reached for
her hand with his own hot one, but
she. pushed him away and slipped past
him toward the door.
"Suit yourself" said he, "but if I'm
not mistaken you'll never rest till
you've seen those papers. I've studied
you, and I'll place bet that you can't
marry Mcnamara or look your uncle
in the eye till you know the truth.
You might do either if you knew them
to be crooks, but you couldn't il you
only suspected it--that's the woman.
When you get ready, come back. I'll
show you proof. because l don't claim
to be anything but what 1 am-Wilton
Strive, bargainer of some mean abil-
ity. When they come to inscribe my
headstone l. hope they can carve there.
on with truth, He got value re
ceived.'"
you're panther" she said loath-
ingly
Graceful and elegant brute, that"
he laughed. "Affectionate and full Of
play, but with sharp teeth and sharper
claws. To follow out the idea, which
pleases me, believe the creature owes
no loyalty to its fellows, and hunts
alone. Now, when you've followed this
conspiracy out and placed the blame
where it belongs, won't you come and
tell me about It? That door leads into
an outer hall which opens into the
street. No one will see you come or
CO."
As she hurried along she wondered
dazedly why she had stayed to listen
so long. What monster he was. His
meaning was plain, had always been
SO from the first day he laid eyes on
her, and he was utterly constituencies.
She had known all this; and yet, in her
proud, youthful confidence, and in her
need, every hour more desperate and
urgent, to know the truth, she had
dared risk herself with him. Withal,
the man was shrewd and observant
and had OWNED her mental condition
with remarkable sagacity. She had
failed with him; but the klrl now knew
that she could never rest till she found
an answer to her questions. She must
kill this suspicion that ate into her so.
She thought tenderly Of her uncle's
goodness to her, chung with despairing
faith to the last Of her kin. The blood