Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-12-09
CHAPTER xlll.-continued.


The one difficulty was to reach the
lower branches. She could hardly
touch them with her fingertips. But
her barbaric costume must have in,
spired her. She listened for mo-
ment, and hearing no sound to indicate
the return of the men, clasped the
upper side of the trunk with her
hands and knees, and made an en-
ergeiic attempt to climb. The posture
was far from dignifed. but the girls
eyes srarkled with satisfaction as she
found herself slowly mounting.
When. flushed and breathless, she
gained a foothold among the. branches,
she looked down at the ground, and
permitted herself merry little giggle
such as she had not INDUCED in since
leaving boarding-school. She had
actually climbed a tree! She would
show Mr.. Blake that she was not so
helpless as he fancied.
At the thought, she clambered on
up. finding that the branches made
convenient steps. She did not look
back, and the screen of treetops be-
meath saved her from any sense of
giddiaess. AS her head came above
the level of the cliff, she peered
through the foliage, and saw the sig
nal-fag far over near the end of the
headland. The big piece of white
duck stood out bravely against the
blue sky, all the more conspicuous for
the ilOcks of frightened seafowl which
wheeled above and around it.
Surprised that she did not see the
men, Miss Leslie started to draw her
self up over the cliff edge. She
heard Winthropes voice few yards
away to her left. A sudden realization
that the Englishman might consider
her exploit ill-bred caused her to sink
back out of sight.
She was hesitating whether to de-
scend or to climb on up, when Win
thropes peevish whine was cut short
by a loud and angry retort from Blake.
Every word came to the girls ears
with the force of a blow.
You do, do you? Well, Id like to
know where in hell you come in. She's
not your sister, nor your mother, nor
your aunt, and If she's your sweet
heart. you've both been damned close
mouthed over it."
There was an irritable, rasping
murmur from Winthrope, and again
came Blake's loud retort. Look here
young man, don't you forget you called
me cad once before. | can stand g
good deal from sick man. but II
give it to you straight, you'd better cut
that out. Call me a brute or savage
If that'li let off your steam; but, un
derstand, I'm none of your English
kinds"
Again Winthrope spoke, this time
in fretful whine.
Blake replied with less anger;
That's SO; and I'm going to show yoJ
that I'm the real thing when 1t comes
to being a sport. Give you my word
I'll make no move till you're through
the fever and on your legs again
What I'll do then depends on my OWL
sweet will, and don't you forget it. In
not after her fortune It's the lady
herself that takes my fancy. Remem
Der what said to you when you called
me cad the other time. You haC
your turn aboard ship. Now l can dC
as l please; and that's what I'm goint
to do. II have to kick you oyer the
cliff end first, to shut off your pesk!
interference"
The girl crouched back into th'
withered foliage, dazed with terror
Again she heard Blake speak. He hat
dropped into a bitter sneer.
mo chance? It's no nerve, yo'
mean. You could brain me, cas-
enough, any night-just walk up wit
a club when I'm asleep. Trouble Il
you're like most other under dogs
'fraid that if you licked your boss
there'd be no soup bones. So gues
I'm slated to stay boss of this colon
grand Poo Bah and Mikado, all Il
one. Understand? You mind you
own business, and don't go to intel
serICE witt mo say more!