The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-06-11

retaliation, the look on Lathom's face
made him think better.
clear out" said Jack, quietly, land
at once. And you too" and he turn
ed sharply round on the diminutive
man, who gave nervous Jump, and
began to back quickly away.
$50 you know me. do you?" said
the taller Of the two men, with a sort
of sullen defiance on his face, angrily
red where the girls hand had struck
him across his chin, staring hard at
Lathom.
"I'm not going to waste words on
you, my man. said Lathom, cheer
fully. $50 far you've come of uncom-
monty lightly for your comfort to this
lady. l haven't much patience left;
I'm rather doubtful, indeed, If I have
any at ALL"
The man SUNK away. muttering
threats. His companion of the spider
legs was already in full retreat. La
Thorn turned to Miss Strangways.
II hope that brute didn't hurt you?"
he said, and almost unthinkingly he
took her hand, and, raising it, looked
at the discolored marks on the slen-
der white wrist where the man had
gripped it, and from it he looked after
the retreating figures with sudden
deepening frown, as though he felt
undecided whether or not to follow
them; the girl saw his hands clench.
II think, if I'd seen those marks be-
fore, wouldn't have left that scoun-
drel with a sound bone in his body"
he cried, Indignantly, instead of let
ting him off SO lightly"
Margaret Strangways colored faint
ly and laughed.
do you know, think you are I'M
derrating the force Of your blow" she
said. Il am perfectly satisfied; I
am sure that blow must have hurt
him very much. Don't take any fur
Their notice of the man, please. OF
course, it was little startling, but
it was the brutal way he kicked my
dog that made me so angry" stopping
to caress the little King Charles that
was still whimpering and holding up
it's leg II don't know how to thank
YOU"
Poor little beggar," said Lathom,
alphabetically. "Only l am sorry,
you know, that let that brute down
so easily" he added, and meant it.
He stopped to pat the dog. The ami
NAL growled ungraciously with fash
of white teeth.
"Carlo!" cried Miss Strangways ir
swift reproach, don't be so migrate
full! Don't you know your friends
from your enemies?"
"Oh. the little chap didn't mean
anything" laughed Lathom; zone
can't wonder if he's bit mistrustful
of strangers just now!" And as if
suddenly ashamed of itself the dog
tried to lick his hand.
Il don't know how to thank you,"
said Miss Strangways again, taking
up the little dog in her arms, whilst
Lathom examined his injured leg; the
skin was broken and bleeding a lit
tie. But he'll be sorry he kicked
you, Carlo-it was such a splendid
straight blow! think l have seen
you before?" she added to Jack-"a
week ago, and you did me service
then. l hope l remembered to thank
you, but was very anxious and trou-
bled that night"
And Lathom saw the shadows come
again int othe clear hazel eyes.
Il hope you have less cause for
anxiety now about Mr.. Strangways?
he said.
But she did not answer the ques-
ton; she turned to unlock the door
in the wall, perhaps to hide the rush
of tears that had filled her eyes.
Thank you again very much for
your Kindness she said; and on a
sudden impulse Miss Strangways held
out her hand to him.
1t was the first we'll bred woman's
hand he had touched, the first woman
of the class to which he belonged to
whom he had spoken since that night
he had said good-by to Hilda, hunt.
ed man; the sound of the girls voice
had brought back its reminding note
of the world in which he had moved,
from which circumstances had made
him an outcast; and some of the old
bitterness that he had fought against
was uppermost in his mind again as
the slim, straight, girlish figure
passed through the door, and walked
away.
AS he turned out of the lane and
made his way back to his rooms the
little spidery-legged tout who had
been hanging about followed him at q
respectful distance. In the High street
Jack encountered Monty and Joe Girls
son, the latter of whom nodded to 8
tobacconist who was standing at the
door of his shop.
Theatrical blokes, aren't they?" In
| quired the foxy-eyed man of the to
bacconist, as If casually, entering the
shop.
"Yes; Chattertons crowd" re
sponded the tradesman.
Il seem to know the face 81 thu
ta!lest chap" said the little tout, II
the most careless tone in the world