Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-24

My lips they're yours. Jetf-fnv lps No
one cse-no, never! They re yours
SO he took them. and in their sweetness
for awhile found forgetfuness of his bitter
ness At last she led him to a big chair BY
the window. made him sit, and sank on the
floor at his feet.
"You're not going back to Kansas he
asked anxiously.
She smiled mot unless YOU ant me to.
He drew her into his arms again. I'll
never want YOU to. | want YOU hcIc-olosc
-closc-ny girl!
"You must never leave me again, Jeff
I've suffered SOL
a couldn't stand seeing you. | though,
YOU loved
She put her fingers over his lips and would
not let him finish "No-not now-d don't
speak of that It's all a nightmare Bur
YOU must never leave me again. | want t.
be with YOU always. want to take my half
of your troubles"
His head bowed. the grasp of his hands
relaxed and his eyes stared into vacancy.
"AIv troubles theic are a lot OF them.
Perhaps YOU won't care for me much
when I'm down and out, Camilla. | sup
pose | ought to tell YOU He-rny father
is going to have me indicted for conspiracy
about the mine. He's going to try to jail me.
if he can
couldn't evcn he couldn't do thing like
that!'
"Oh, yes. he could, grimly. He has
bribed Reimer and Fritz Wcyl. They swear
| tried to murder Max
"But YOU didn't Ieff-tell me YOU didn't.
she said TREMENDOUSLY. "You know you never
told me what happened, and I've feared
You were desperate in those days-and law
less
I'm desperate and lawless yet" he nut
tered; abut I'd never try to kill man iusi
for money We offered Max Reimer share
in the mine, good share; but he antcd
to hog it all told him he was drunken
fool, and he tried to shoot me. A'ulcnnan
struck him and knocked him out. shouldn't
be here now if he hadn't. | don't know
WHY | never told you. | suppose | thought
YOU wouldnt understand | left Mulrcnnan
trying to bring him around and went down
and bought that lease. That's all
"Thank God!' she crooned. "1'vc lccn
so afraid. There have been SO many stories
"Lies-al lics-circulated by him. Nov
he's got Reimer to swear to them.
She threw her arms round his neck and
searched his face anxiously. Jeff, he can't
make people believe
"He wants to ruin me-and he'll do II il
he can. There's no telling what money will
do. He squeezed Conrad Seemuler and
made him a bankrupt -Seemuller drank
himself to death. Jimmy OFT blew out his
brains. Oh. don't be afraid: I'm not going
to do eithcr-I'm not going to be crushed
like worm. If he ruins me- he'll pay dear
for the privilege. I'll drag him down with
me. and he'll drop farther than | will.
wanted to keep things quiet; but | won't
any longer. III tell the world my story, his
story and let the world Judge between u.s.
He tramped up and down the floor like a
mailman. until Camilla interposed and led
him to a divan. He followed her like a child.
and let her sit beside him while she qucs
toned him as to what had happened. jeff
had looked for sanctuary, and he had found
it at last. The other people in the house did
not disturb them. and they sat for long
time alone, exchanging the condolences that
had been 50 long delayed; but they were
none the less sweet on that account.
7 ATE in the afternoon Camilla questioned
- Jeff again about the happenings of the
morning. Rita Cheyne's part in the situa
ton did not surprise her. She knew that
Rita had heard everything and had decided
to continue to play the game with Fate in
Jef's behalf But she did not tell Jeff
1 1.