, 1911-07-27
1910. by Bobbs-Merrin
Company.

preached. The girls fur cap had allen
of. Her long. shining braid was hall
undone and Its silken strands fell over
her shoulder and glistened in the lamp
glow on the table. His hand hesitated
and then fell gently on the bowed
head.
Sometimes the friend who lies is
the only friend who's true he said.
81 believ that 1t was necessary for
you to-Iie."
Just once his hand stroked her soft
hair, then. catching himself. he went
to the opposite side of the narrow ia
Bile and sat down. When the girl
raised her head there was a bright
flush in her cheeks.
you believe that?" she questioned
eagerly. "You believe that 1t was nee
essary for me to-lie?''
yes" said Rowland. He spoke the
one word with n inality that sent a
soft gladuess into the deep blue eyes
across from him. 81 believe that you
had to lie to me-"
His low voice was vibrant with un.
bounded faith. Other words were on
his lips, but he forced them back. A
pan VI uC uliSnt hdNe Su1u-d
part of the strange. joyous tumult in
his heart-betrayed itself in his face.
and before that betrayal the girl drew
back slowly. the color fading from her
cheeks.
"And l believe you will not lie to me
again. he said.
She rose to her feet and flung back
her hair. looking down on him In the
manner of one who had never before
mel this kind of man INT knew NOT
what to make of him.
mo: I will not lie to you again. she
replied more firmly. do you believe
me nowY"
Yes"
Then go back into the south. | have
com to tell you that again tonight
to make o believe me. You should
have turned back at LIE Pas. If you
don't go-tomorrOw"-
Her voice seemed to choke her. and
she stood without finishing. leaving
him to understand what she had
meant to say In an instant Rowland
was at her side. Once more his old.
resolute fighting blood was up. Firm
ly he took her hands again. his eyes
compelling her to look up at him.
"If l don't go tomorrow-they will
kill me-" he completed. repeating the
words of her note to him.. Now. II
you are going to be honest with me.
tell me this-who is going to kill me.
and why?"
He felt n convulsive shudder pass
through her as she answered.
IL also said that | would not lie to
you again. If | can not tell you the
ruth I will tell you nothing. 1t is
impossible for me to say why your life
is in danger"
but you knowT"
Yes"
He seated her again in the chair be
side the table and sat down opposite
her.
VIII you tell me who you areT"
She hesitated. twisting her fingers
%nervously In a silken strand Of her
hair.
VIII you?" he persisted.
IF / tell you who ! am" she said at
last. you will know who is threaten
Ing your life"
He stared at her in establishment.
The devil. you say" The words
slipped from his lips before he could
stop them. For a second time the girl
rose from her chair.
"You will gO?" she entreated. "Yon
will go tomorrow"
Her hand was on the latch of the
door.
You will goT"
He had risen and was lighting a
cigar over the chimney Of the lamp
Laughing. he came toward her.
Yes. surely l I'm going to see you
safely home" Suddenly he turned
back to the lounge and belted on his
revolver and holster. When he re-
turned h barred his way def1antly.
her back against the door.
You cannot CO."
"why?"
"Because"-he caught the frightened
dutter of her voice again-"because
they will XIII you"
The low laugh that he breathed In
her hair was more of joy than fear.
II am glad hi You care,'' he whis-
pered to her softly.
You must CO." she still persisted.
with you. yes he answered.
No, no: tomorrow. You must go
back to La Pas-back into h south.
VIII you promise mt that?"
Perhaps" he said. 81 will tell you
oon." She surrendered to the deter
h~ination in his voice and allowed him
. pass out into the night with her.
swiftly she led him along a path that
an Into the deep gloom Of b balsam
,hd spruce. He could hear the throb-
ung Of her heart and her quick. ex-
asted breathing as she stopped. one of