The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-10-08

miles away"
When in reality it was at your very
feet" she said, with a bright look into
his eyes. For some unaccountable
reason Geneva resented that look and
speech.
is that really where you live?" she
asked, so innocently that Chase had
difficulty in controlling his expression.
At that instant something struck
sharply against the stone column above
Chase's head. At least three persons
saw the little puff of smoke in the
hills far to the right. Every one heard
the distant crack of a rifle. The bullet
had dropped at Chase's feet before
the sound Of the report came floating
to their ears. No one spoke as he
stopped and picked up the warm, dead
ly missile. Turning it over in his
fingers, he said coolly, although his
cheek had gone white:
! with Won Blitz's compliments, la
dies and gentlemen. He is calling on
me by proxy"
Good God, Chase" cried Browne,
they're trying to murder us! Get
back, every one! Inside the doorsv'
I'm sorry to bring my troubles to
your door," said Chase. ut was meant
for me, not for any of you. The man
who fired that did not intend to kill
me. He was merely giving voice to
his pain and regret at seeing me in
such bad company" He was smiling
calmly and did not take single step
to follow them to safety.
Come in. Chase! Don't stand out
there to be shot at"
''Pll stay here for a few minutes, Mr..
Browne, If you don't mind. just to con-
vince you all that the shot was not in
tended to kill. They're not ready to
xii! me yet. I'm sure Lord Doping
ham will understand. He has been
shot at often enough since he came to
the island"
He lighted cigarette and coolly
leaned against the column. his gaze
bent on the spot where the smoke had
been seen. The others were grouped
inside the doors, where they could see
without being seen. A certain sense of
horror possessed all Of the watchers.
For heavens sake. why does he
stand there?" cried the princess at last.
81 can endure it no longer. 1t may be
as he says it is, but it is foolhardy to
stand there and taunt the pride of that
marksnan. l cant stay here and wait
for it to come. How cam
Hes been there for ten minutes,
princess" said Browne-"plenty Of
time for another try"
Before they were aware Of her H.
tention the princess left the shelter
and boldly walked across the open
space to the side of the man. He start
ed and opened his lips to give vent to
sharp command.
at is SO easy to be hero, Mr. Chase,
when one is quite sure there is no real
danger" she said, with distinct irony
in her tones. Zone can afford to be
melodramatic if he knows his part so
well as you know yours"
Chase felt his face burn. It was a
direct declaration that he had planned
the whole affair in advance. He f1icked
the ashes from his cigarette and then
tossed it away, hesitating long before
replying.
Nevertheless have the greatest re-
spect for the courage which brings you
to my side. l dare say you are quite
justified in your opinion of me. 1t all
must seem very theatrical to you.
had not thought Of it in that light.
shall now retire from the center of the
stage. 1t will be perfectly safe for you
to remain here-just as it was for me-"
He was leaving her without another
word or look. She repented.
II am sorry for what l said," she
said eagerly. "And"-she looked I'D at
the hills with a sudden widening of
her eyes-"I think shall not remain"
Chase made light of the occurrence,
but sought to impress upon the others
the fact that it was prophetic Of more
serious events in the future. In a per-
fectly cold blooded manner he told
them that the islanders might rise
against them at any time.
"The people are angry, and they will
become desperate. Their interests are
mine. OF course. l am perfectly sin
cere in saying to you, Lady Doping
ham. and to you. Mr.. Browne. that in
time they will win out against you in
the courts. But they are impatient.
They are not the kind who can wait
and be content. 1t is impossible for
you to carry out the provisions Of the
Will. and they know it. That is why
they resent the delays that are i'm
pending"
Deppingham told him Of the scheme
proposed by Saunders, treating it as a
vast joke. Chase showed a momen-
tary sign of uneasiness, but covered
1t instantly by laughing with the 9TH
ers. Strange to say, he had been in
structed from London to look out for
just such coup on the part of the
heirs-not that the marriage could be
legally established. but that it might
create complication worth avoiding.
He could not help looking from Lady
Deppingham to Bobby Browne, a cal
culating CLEAN in his gray eyes. How
very dangerous she could be! He was
quite ready to feel very sorry for
pretty Mrs. Browne. He sat opposite
to the princess. His eyes were re-