The Mena weekly star., 1911-07-27

sionately. all fear leaving her in suo- zen resentment. You think ma alone here and helpless; that you can ,pault me at your pleasure. Don't go too iar' MT. Hawley. I know what you are now. and 1t makes no difference what you may think of me, or call me you'ii ind me perfectly able to defend myself"
 "oh. indeedl" sneeringly. .you are meiodramatic; you should have been an actress Instead of singer. But you waste your talent out here on me. 10 you imagine fear either you. or your precious brotherf Why. could nave him hung tomorrow
 She was staring st him with vida open eyes. her face white.
 "What-what do you meanf What has Fred done?"
 He was cold and sarcastic.
 That makes no difference; it is what could induce men to swear he had done. It's easy enough to convict in this country, if you only know how. simply tell you this. 30 you won't press me too hard. puri- tanism Is out of place west of the Mis- souri. especially among ladies' of your profession. Oh. come. now, Christie, don't try to put such airs on with me, l know who you are, all right and can guess why you are hunting after Fred Willoughby. pumped the boy, and got most of the truth out of him" "
 You--you have seen him. then. since you left me-" she faltered. be- wildered. "and didn't bring him here with yeuf"
 Why should IT" and the man stepped forward. his eyes on her. his hands twitching with desire to clasp her to him. yet restrained by some uu- defnable power. While believed your brother story, I could have play ed the good Samaritan most beautiful ly. but after talked with wiIloughby prefer him at a distance"
 My brother storyI Do you mean to insinuate you doubt his being my brother7 He told you that7"
 He gave up the whole trick. You can't trust kid like that, Christie. A couple of drinks viii loosen his ton que. and put you in wrong Come. now. know 1t allS be reasonable"
 Apparently the girl had lost her power of speech, staring blindly ct the face of the man before her, as bird meets the slow approach of . snake. Keith could see her lips move, but making no sound. Hawley evidently interpreted her silence as hesitation. doubt as to his real meaning.
 You see where you are a* DOW, Christie" he went on swiftly. ''But you don't need to be afraid. I'm going to be friend to you, and you can be mighty glad you got rid of willoughy 80 easily Why. can buy you dia- monds where he couldn't give you 6 calico dress. Come on. let's stop this foolishness. took liking to you back there in the stage. and the moro I've thought about you sincc the crazier I've got When I succeeded in pumping Willoughby dry. and discoy. cred you wasn't his sister at all. why that settled the matter. came down here after you. love you. do you un- derstand that7 And, what's moro. Intend to have youi"
 He reached out. and actually grasp ed her. but in some manner. she tore loose. and sprang back around tho end of the table. her cheeks flushed. her eyes burning.
 Don't touch mel don't dare touch mel" she panted. You lie; Fred VII loughby never told you that. If you come one step nearer. I'll scream; I'll call your men here; I'll tell them the kind of cur you are"
 He laughed. leaning over toward Der. yet hesitating. his eyes full of ad- miration Her very fierceness appealed to him, urged him on.
 "Oh, wouldn't In the first place they probably wouldn't hear. for they are camped down in the corral. ! sus- pected you might be something of . tigress, and preferred to fight ft out with you alone. Then, even if they did hear, there would be no inter ference-I've got those fellows trained too well for that. Come on, Christie; you're helpless here."
 "Am IT"
 Yes, you are"
 He took step toward her, his hands flung out With one quick movement she sprang aside and extinguished the lamp, plunging the room into instant darkness. A few red coafs glowed duly in the fireplace, but all else was dense blackness. Keith heard the movements of Hawley, as he felt his was uncertainty along the table swearing as he failed to find the girl Then. like shadow. he glided through the partly open door into the room.
 frou+inuad fIaxf Waak