Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-12-31
Copyright, 1905, By ChAs. scribner 5 Soma
CHAPTER XXI.
A Midnight Visit.

for the night, when she was halted by
"a knock at the shop door. 1t was a
summons that she thought she knew,
but thelast in eworld that she wanted
to hear or to answer. Dicksie had
gone to the bedroom, and standing
between the portieres mat curtained
the workroom from the shop, Marion
In the half-light listened, hesitating
whether to ignore or to answer the
midnight intruder. But experience,
and bitter experience, had taught her
there was only one way to meet that
particular summons, and that was to
act, whether at noon or at midnight,
without fear She waited until the
knocking had been twice repeated,
turned uplthe light, and going to the
door. drew the bolt; Sinclair stood be,
fore her, and she drew back for him
to enter. "Dicksie Dunning is with
me tonight" said Marion, with hel
hand on the latch, "and we shall have
to talk here"
Sinclair took of his hat. 81 knew
you had company" he returned in the
low, gentle tone that Marion knew
very well, so l came late. And ]
heard tonight, for the first time, that
this railroad crowd is after me-God
knows why; but they have to earn
their salary somehow. want to keep
out of trouble If l can. l won't kill
anybody if they don't force me to it
They've scared nearly all my men
away from the ranch already; one
erippled,up cowboy is all l have goi
| to help me look after the cattle. But
l won't quarrel with them, Marion, il
/ can get away from here peaceably
so I've come to talk it over once more
with you. I'm going away and want
you to go with me; I've got enough ia
keep Us as well as the best of then
and as long as we live. You've give1
me a good lesson. l needed it,
grille"
Don't call me that"
He laughed kindly. why, that's
what it used to be; that's what l
want it to be again. I don't blame
you. You're worth all the women
ever knew, Marion. I've learned to
appreciate some few things in the
lonely months I've spent up on the
Frenchman; but I've felt while l was
there as if l were working for both of
US. I've got a buyer in sight now for
the cattle and the land. I'm ready to
clean up and say good-by to trouble
all / want is for you to give me the
one chance I've asked for and go
along"
They stood facing each other under
the dim light. She listened intently
to every word, though in her terror
she might not have heard or under
stood all of them. One thing she did
very clearly understand, and that was
why he had come and what he wanted.
To that she held her mind tenaciously,
and for that she shaped her answer.
eI cannot go with you-now or ever"
He waited a moment. I'VE always
got along, Marion, when l behaved N.Y.
SELF"
Il hope you always will behave
yourself; but could no more go with
you than l could make myself again
what was years ago, Murray. l wish
you nothing but good; but our ways
parted long ago."
stop and think a minute, Marion.
offer you more and offer it more
honestly than l ever offered it before,
because | know myself better. l am
alone in the world-strong, and better
able to care for you than was When
l undertook to-"
81 have never complained"
That's what makes me more anx-
ious TO show you now that can and
will do what's right"
''0h, you multiply words! 1t is too
late. for you to be here. You are in
danger you say; for the love Of
heaven, leave me and go away"
you know me, Marion, when my
mind is made up. won't leave with
out yOu." He leaned with one hand
against the ribbon showcase. IF you
don't want to go l will stay right here
and pay off the scores l owe. Two
men here have stirred this country up
too long, anyway. l don't care much
chow soon anybody gets me after
round them up. But tonight l felt
like this: You and l started out in
life together, and we ought to live it
out OF die together, whether it's to-
night, Marion, or 20 years from to,
nlSnl. %
IF you want to kill me tonight,
l have no resistance to make"
Sinclair sat down on low counter.
stool, and, bending forward, held his
head between his hands. 1T oughtn't
all to end here. l know you, and
know you want to do what's right.
couldn't kin you without killing my.
self; you, know that" He straight,
ened up slowly. 'Here!" He slipped
his revolver from his hip-holster and
held the grip Of the gun toward her
use 1t on me II you want to. 1t is
your chance to end everything; it may
save several lives If you do. l won't
leave McCloud here to crow over me,