Semi-weekly herald., 1911-05-29
scopyrixht A. c. Meclurs q c. i.is)

sionately. ALL fear leaving her In sud
den resentment you think me alone
here and helpless: that you can insult
me at your pleasure. Don't 30 too
far. M. Hawiey. 1 know what you
are now. and 1t makes NO difference
what you may think Of me. or call me; (;
you'll nnd me perfectly able to defend
myself"
"Oh. indeed" sneeringly, you are
meiodramatic: you should have been
An actress instead OF a singer. But
you waste your talent out here on me.
Do you imagine fear either you or
your precious brother? Why. could
have him hung tomorrow
She WIS staring At him with wide
open eyes. her face white.
What-what do you meant 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. II you only
know how. simply toll you this, 80
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.
1 know who you are. all right, and
can guess why you are hunting after
Fred Willoughby. l 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 your
Why should ?" and tho man stepped
forward his eyes on her. his
hands twttching with q desire to clasp
her to him, yet restrained by some un-
your brother story. could have play
ed the good Samaritan most beautiful
ly, but after | talked with Willoughb by
| prefer him at Il distance
My brother story, Do you mean
to insinuate you doubt his being my
brother? He told you that"
He gave up the whole trick. You
cant trust Kid like that, Christie. A
couple of drinks will loosen his ton
que. and put you In wrong, Come. now.
know 1t all. be reasonable"
Apparently the girl had lost her
power Of speech, staring blindly at the
face OF the man before her. Is bird
meets the slow approach of = snake.
Keith could see her lips move. but
making no sound, Hawlsy evidently
interpreted her silence As hesitation,
t.
You see where you are at now.
Christie" he went on swiftly. But
you don't need to be afraid. I'm going
to be friend to you, and you oan be
mighty glad you got rid of Willoushy
SO easily. Why. l can buy you dia-
monds where he couldn't give you =
calico dress. Come on, let's stop this
foolishness. took = liking to you
back there In the stage. and the more
I've thought about you since the
crszier I've got. When 1 succeeded IN
pumping Willoughby dry. and disoov-
cred you wasn't his sister 1t all, why
that settled the matter. came down
here after you. love you. do you IN
derstsnd that7 And. what's more, l
intend to have y6ul"
He reached out. and actually grasp
ed her. but. In some manner. she tore
loose. and sprang back around the
end of the table. her checks nush Cd.
her eyes burning.
Don't touch me! don't dare touch
mel" she painted. You lie; Fred Will
ioughby never told you that. II you
come one step nearer. I'll scream; ri
call your men here; I'll tell them the
kind Of = cur you are"
He laughed. leaning over toward
her. yet hesitattng. his eyes full of ad.
miration Her very nsrosnsss appealed
TO him. urged him on.
'Oh. wouldn't! In the frst place
they probably wouldn't hear, for they
are oampsd down ip the corral sus-
psoted you might ~ something of =
hsrsss. nd pssfsppsA 70 fight 1t out
with ysu saon>. eh>a even If they
aid hsss, tAsss would be NO inter
fsrsnoe-rvs so< rhoss fellows trained
too well for that Come on. Christisj
you're helpless here
Am IT,
Yes, you are"
He took n step toward her. his hands
hung out with one quick movement
she sprsns aside and sItinguished the
lamp. plunsing the room into instant
darkness. A few red GOALS Elowed
DULY In the fireplace, but all else WAS
dense blackness. Keith heard the
movements of Hawley. ~ he felt bis
was uncertainty along the table.
swearing as he failed to ind the girl.
Then. like . shadow. he glided through
the partly open door into the room.