Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-04-23
Satan
By HALLE ERMINIE RIVES.
Author OF Hearts Courageous" Etc.
Copyright. 1908. the Bobbs-Merril
Company.
Continued from page 3

lluHnS Hut. liz ouo hihhA boAib
ly. The bolt from the blue had been
SO recent thai this sudden apparition
seemed a natural concomitant of the
situation. Only the problem was no
longer imminent. 1t was upon him
Jessica was not for him-he had ac-
cepted that. Though the clock might
not turn backward. this man must
stand between them. Yet his presence
now in the predicament was intolera-
Bile.
"Well," said Hugh. with a sneer,
what have you got to say|
slow much will you take for the
property"
That's your game. is 1t? But I'm
not such a numskull! Whatever you
/ know you. Satan Sanderson," he
sneered. You were always the same
precious hypocrite in the old days, pre-
tending to be so almighty virtuous.
while you looked out for No. /. |
saw through you then, too, when you
were posing as my friend and try
ing your best all along to queer me
with the old man. ] knew it well
enough. ! knew what the reason was
tool You wanted Jessica! YOU
Self control left Harry suddenly, as a
ships sail is whipped from its gaskets
in a white squat. Before the words
could be uttered his fingers were al
Hugh's throat.
Al that instant there was the sound
Of running feet outside, a hurried
knock at the door n an agitated
voice that chilled Harry's blood to Ice.
His hands relaxed their hold. He
dragged Hugh to the door of the inner
room, thrust him inside. shut and bolt.
ed It upon him.
Theu he went and opened the outer
door.9
The accusation of Prendergast had
stunned Jessica's faculties. AS in an
evil dream she had seen the sheriff rise
to his feet and methodically put the
fragment of paper into his p~ocketbook
A moment later she was running up
the dark path, her thoughts a confu-
sion in which only n coherent pur-
pose stood d~istinct-to warn him. They
would know no need to hasten. If the
man she loved had reached the cabin.
she would be before them.
she stood before the door, her hands
clasped tightly, her eyes on Harry's
f1ce.
what has ~happened?" he asked.
"Men will be here soon-men from
the town. l overheard them. want
ed to let you know!" she hesitated. 1t
had grown all at once difficult to put
into words.
"Coming here? WhyY'
ITO arrest a man who is accused OF
murder"
If her eyes could have pierced the
bolted door a few feet away If she
could have seen that listening face
behind it. as her clear tones fell, grow
instinct with recognition, amazement
and evil suspicion-a look that her last
word swept into a sickly gray terror
If she could have heard the groan
from the wretched man beyond!
Whose murder?'
"Dr. Moreau's."
Jessiea waited with caught breath,
searching his countenance. 1t was told
now. but he must know that she had
not credited it. that for better, fol
worse" she must believe in him now
II knew, oh, l knew she cried. You
need not tell mel"
NO" he said gravely, II am not the
man they want. 1t has all come back
to me-the past that ! had lost. Such
a crime has no part in it. Jessica," he
said, you have tried to save me from
danger tonight. / need a greater serv.
Ice of you now. 1t is to ask no CUES
ton. but to go at once. | cannot ex-
plain why, but you must not stay here
a moment"
"Oh." she cried bitterly. you don't
intend to leave! You choose to face
it, and you want to spare me. If you
really want to spare me, you viii go
Why, you would have no chance where
they have hated you so. Prendergast
was killed robbing the sluice tonight
and he lied-lied-liedl He swore you
did it. and they will believe it.'
He put back her beseeching hands
How could he EXPLAIN Only TO get
her away-to gain time-to think!
LISTEN she went on wildly They
will wait to carry him to the town
| can go and bring my horse here for
you. There is time! You have only
to send me word and l will follow you
to the end of the world! Only say
you will GOT
He caught at the straw. The expedi-
ent might serve.
Every WELL" he said; bring him TO
the upper trailsand wait there for me
She gave u sob of relief al his ac'
quiescence. II will hurry. hurry she
cried and was gone, swift Is a swal
low fight. into the darkness.
AS he re-entered the cabin the calm.
ness fell from Harry Sanderson as a
mask drops, and the latent passion
sprang in its place. He crossed the
room and drew the bolt for the wretch.