The Huttig news., 1909-11-13


 the workroom from the shop, Marion in the half-light listened, hesitating whether to ignore or to answer the mdnight intruder But experience, and bitter experience, had taught her there was only one way to meet that particular summons. and that was 10 act whether at noon or at midnight, without fear She waited until the knocking had been t.iee repea .ed turned up the light, and going to the dsor drew the bolt. Sinclair stood be- fore her, and she drew back for him to enter "Dieksie Dunning is with me tonight said Marion. with her hand on the latch, and we shall have 10 talk here.
 Sinclair took of his hat "I knew you had company" he returned In the low. gentle tone that Marion knew very well, "so l came late And l heard tonight, for the first time, that this railroad crowd is after me-Goe knows why but they have to earn their salary somehow. 1 want to keep out of trouble If I 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: ons erippled-up cowboy Is all have got to help me look after the cattle. But 1 won't quarrel with ihem Marion II I can get away from here peaceably. so I've come to talk 1t over once more with you. I'm going away and l wan, you to go with ne; I've got enough te keep us as well as the best of them and as long AS we live. You've glver me gooa lesson. I needed it, girlie-''
 Don't call me that!"
 He laughed kindly. why, that's what it used to be; that's what I want if to be again l don't blame you. You're worth all the women I ever knew, Marion. I've learned to appreciate some few things in the lonely months I've spent up on tEe Frenehman: but I've felt while I was there as if were working for both of us. I've got buyer in sight now for the cattle and the land. I'm ready 10 clean up and say good-by to trouble all I want is for you to give me the one chance I've asked for and go along"
 They stood facing each other unTer the dim light She listened intently to every word, though in her terror 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. T cannot go with you-now or ever"
 He waited a moment We always got along. Marion, when behaved my self"
 T hope you always will behave yourself; but I could no more go with you than I could make myself again what was years ago. Murray. l wish you nothing hut good; but our ways parted long ago"
 Stop and think minute, Marion. offer you more and offer 1t 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 1 was when | u0utTiotk tO--
 sl have never complained"
 That's what makes me moro anx- ious to show you now that I can and will do what's right"
 'Oh, you multiply words It is too late for you to be here. You are in danger. you say; for the love of heaven. leave me and go awayi'
 Era 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 will stay right here and pay of the scores l owe. Two nen here have stirred this country up too long, anyway. l don't care much how soon anybody gets me after I round them up. But tonight I felt like this: You and I started out in life together. and we ought to live it out or die together. whether it's to- night. Marion. or 20 years from to- night"
 If you want to kill me tonight, I have no resistance to make"
 Sinclair sat down on low counter StoOis dhu, DChufH6 iti WdIuf HSiu liS head between his hands. Tt oughtn't all to end here. I know you, and know you want to do what's right couldn't kill 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 If you want to. It is your chance to end everything: it may save several lives if you do. I won't leave McCloud here to crow over me, and, by God, I won't leave you here for Whispering Smith. I'll settle with him anyhow. Take the pistol! What are you afraid of? Take 1t Use iti I don't want to live without you If you make me do it. you're to blame for the consequences.
 She stood with wide-open eyes, but uttered no word.
 You won't touch it-then you o4res little for me yet" he murmurest
 No! Do not say so. But | will, not do rourdarsf