Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-05-01
(Continued)

so that she did not notice the frightful
effect her words had upon stark.
"Whcrc did you gct-that namew
His voice was pitched In different
key now. Then after moment he
added, From the story told you at
the mine that night l supposeT
"Oh, no." she answered. 'I've al
ways had It, though they call me Ne
ella. Merridy was my fathers mother.
guess I'm like her In many ways, for
l often imagine she IL a part of me,
that her spirit IL mine. It's the only
way l can account for the sights I
Sec"
"Your fathers motherT" he said me-
chemically. That's queer" He seem
ed to I've trying to shake himself free
from something. IT'S hcrcdity, sup
pose. You have visions Of white wo-
man. woman named Merrldy, ehT"
Suddenly his manner changed, and he
spoke so roughly that she looked at
him In vague alarm.
Glow do you know? How do you
know she was his motherT"
ale told me So"
Stark snarlcd. "He llcdr'
Il can show you her wedding ring.
I've always worn H." She fumbled for
the chain about her neck, but It cluded
her trembling fingers. III has her
name In it--'From ban to Mcrrldy."
Stnrk's hand dartcd forward and tore
the thing from her shoulders. Then he
thrust II under, the lamp and glarcd at
the inscription, while his fingers shook
80 that he could barely distinguish the
words. His eyes were blazing and his
face llvid.
Nrcia cried out. but he dropped the
ornament and seized her iicrccly, lift
ing her from the chair to her feet.
Then with one swift. downward clutch
he laid hold of her dress Mt the left
shoulder and ripped 1t half to her
waist. A hoarse sound came from his
throat, cry half Of amaZement, half
of triumph.
let me go! Let me go!' She strug-
gled to free herself, but lie held her In
n viselikc grip, while he peercd closely
ut blemish well down upon her back.
Then he let her slip from his grasp,
and. seized with terror, she staggered
away from him. He was leaning hcav-
fly with both hands upon the table, his
thin lips grlnning, his whole manner
30 terrifying that she shrank back.
She turned and made for the door.
whcreupon he Strengthened up and said
In n queer, commanding voice:
"Wslt. Don't go. l-l-you"- lie
licked his lips as II they were dust
dry, passed an uncertain hand across
his beaded brow and, raising the wa.
ter pail beside the door to his mouth,
drank heavily In great noisy gulps.
Let me out of here"' the girl de-
manded imperiously.
Don't be scared" he said, more
quietly now. You must excuse Inc.
You-you gave me an awful fright.
Yes, that was 1t. Don't worry.
didn't mean any harm"
"You hurt my shoulder" she said,
almost ready to cry. And you tore
my dress" she added angrlly-"my fine
dress. Are you crazyY'
you see, it's like this-that name Of
Merridy and that rlng-Rcll, the whole
ching was SO startling II went of
my head. 1t came sudden, and
rhought-it don't matter what
Thought, but I'm sorry. I'll apologize,
and III get you whole lot Of dresses
If you like"
His first impulse had been to tell her
everything, but his Amusement had
rendered him spccchlcss. and now he
was thankful for 1t. Care must be cX.
erclscd. She must not learn too much.
for II she suspected the truth she
would go to her soldier lover NJ once,
and no power ON earth COULD holl her
back. That would block the venge-
ance that he saw shaping In the danli
recesseS Of his distorted brain.
First, and above all, he must get the
girl away from Flambcau.
These last few moments had driven
Necla's own worries from her mind,
but he was bent on recalling them and
SO continued cautiously:
You were saying that you thought
you'd go away. | think that's Il good
plan, and you'd be wise to do 1t for
more reasons than one. 1t will give
you time to think 1t all over and know
your own mind. l want TO help you
I'm going to help you-because I've got
an interest In you like you were mine"
Again he betrayed that strange, mlrth'
less amusement.
"There is no place for me to co. said
Necia blankly, except the mission,
and | have no way Of getting there"
Don't you worry. III furnish the
means. and you'd better go tonight
she filnched-"yes, tonight. There's no
use prolonglng your agony. I'll get n
boat ready and send trusty man with
you. The current Is swift, and II 1t
rows well you can make 1t by tomor
row evening. That's only one night
4. -.