The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-14
Author of ''The Spoilers'' and
 "The Borrier''

He lOt0S JOAS anu AG AS liAG DSSI OuS4- ness man for his years I have ever. known. If it were not for this foolish boy and girl affair you would return his love. He suits me, and--well. I have put my foot down, so there's an end of it.''
 ssDo you intend to force me to marry him?'
 MT. Wayland recognized the danger signal.i
 Absurd! Take all the time you wish. You'll come around all right. That reprobate you were engaged to defied me and defended that woman''
 He told of his stormy interview with. Boyd. concluding: ''It is fortunate we found shim out. Mildred. have guarded you ali my life. I have Iavished every thing money could buy upon you. I have built I'D the greatest fortune in all the west for you. I have kept you pure and sweet and good-and to <hink that such fellow should dare"- MT. WayIand choked with anger. 'sThe one thing cannot stand in a man or a woman is immortality [ have lived clean as I.'
 ~Did you say that Boyd threatened to come aboard this evening?' ques- tioned the girl.
 .sYes. But I swore that he should notn
 s'Then he'll eome,H said Mildred.
 It was twilight when Willis Marsh was rowed out to the yacht. He found Mr. Wayland and Mildred seated in deck chairs enjoying the golden sunset while the old man smoked. Marsh ex- plained that he had excused himself from his guests to go whither his in- clinatfon led. him and drew his seat close to Mildred, rejoicing in the fact that no one could gainsay him this privilege. Moreover, he had won the unfalterings loyalty of Wayne Way land, the dominant figure of the west. Nothing could keep him now from the success his ambition demanded.
 His complaisant enjoyment was in terrupted at last by the approach of the second officer, who announced that lady wished to see MT WayIand.
 'sA 1ady?' asked the old man in sur prise.
 .tYes, sir She came alongside in a small boat just now with some natives I stopped her at the landing, but she says she must see you at once"
 ..Ah, that woman again!" MT Way lands jaws snapped .sTen her to be &OuG. l EG4uSO 10 7SGG 4CI
 .sYery well, sir" The mate turned, but Mildred said suddenly:
 .swait! Why don't you talk to her, father?"
 That creature7 have nothing to say to her.
 Mildred leaned forward and called to the ships officer: esShow her up. will see her"
 Mildred, you mustn't talk to that Momanr' her father cried
 ."It is very unwise,' Marsh chimed in apprehensively. f'She isn't the sort of personr-
 Miss way1and chilled him with look and waved the mate away, then sank back into her chair.
 .sI have talked with her already. I assure you she is not dangerous
 Willis Marsh squirmed uncomforta- bly, in his seat. He fixed his eyes upon the knot of men at the starboard rail. Then, with a sharp indrawing of his breath, he leaped up and darted down the deck.
 Over the side had come Cherry Ma lotte, accompanied by an Indian girl In shawl and moccasins-a slim, shrinking creature who stood as if be- wildered, twisting her hands and star ing about with frightened eyes. Be hind them, head and shoulders above the sailors, lowered a giant copper hued breed with child in his arms.
 They saw that Marsh was speaking to the newcomers, but could not dis tinguish his words. The Indian girl fell back as if terrified. She cried out something in her own tongue, shook her head violently and pointed to her ~1,S< S<<.t Ses fo71 iyid; he shook a quivering hand in Cherry Malotte's face. It seemed as if he would strike her, but Constan- tine strode between them, scowling si- lently down into the smaller mans face, his own visage saturnine and menacing. Marsh retreated a step. chattering eXcitedly. Then Cherry's voice came clearly to the listeners:
 "It is too late now, MT. Marsh. You may as well face the music" Followed by the stares of the sailors, she came up the deck toward the old man and his daughter, who had arisen. the Indian girl c1inging to her sleeve, the tall breed Striding noise lessly behind. Willis Marsh came with them, his white lips writhing, his face like putty. He made futile detainfng grasps at Constantine. and in the si- lence that suddenly descended upon the ship they heard him whispering.
 What is the meaning of this ?" de manded MT. Wayland.
 .1 heard you were about to sail, so came out to see you 'before''-
 Marsh broke in hoarsely: She's a bad woman. She has come here for blackmail::''
 ''BlackmailF' cried Wayne wayland "I thought as muchr'
 That's her game. She wants money"
 Cherry shrugged her shoulders and showed her white teeth in a smile
 Mr. Marsh anticipates slightly. You may judge if he is right