The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-12-14
COPYRIGHT AcrrCLURe G. CO. 1911

Erlc, and from that moment / deSpiSed
you. While l believed you an honor
| able soldier l was able to treat you
with outward respect, but no longer.
You threatened me with forced mar
rage once before, and failed. Now
you endeavor to succeed with the help
OF this outlaw. But you never shall!
NO, do not speak! do not hold out your
hands to me! You are not a prisoner.
These men are here at your instiga-
ton; you are concerned in their in
fanny. l would rather die than have
you touch mel"
She turned her back upon him. her
face white. her eyes blazing, but Fa-
gin stood between her and the en-
trance. grinning savagely.
Let me pass. sir; this Is my IA
thers house"
Not while l am here, Mistress" he
snarled. without moving. The old
man isn't ridin' after me with squad
ron OF cavalry today. This happens
to be my turn to give orders. and yer
to obey! Do yer hear-yerll obey!
Those were mt pretty words yer spoke
to Grant, but they don't hurt me none.
| You damned little spitfire. I'd marry
yer myself If could. just to break yer
spirit. As it is, I'll show yer yer mas
ter fer once. So it's the spy yer want.
is it?"
She stared at him without a word.
a depth of hatred but no fear In her
level eyes
Lost yer tongue. have yer? Well.
Wen find 1t fer yer fast enough.
What's the fellows name?"
ITO whom do you refer?" she asked.
her passage blocked.
"The Continental who's put Grant
out Of the running?"
Il presume you mean Major Law
renee, although no one has authority
to couple my name with his"
"Oh, indeed! I'll show yer author
ity in plenty. Mistress. Come. now,
I'm done discussing this matter. AS
long as yer father isn't able ter at.
tend ter this affair ! am a-goin' ter
act in his place Well have loyalist
Come. move. you coyote-Jones, hustle
him along. Now. Captain. there's a
good place ter stand. in between those
windows. Mistress Claire"
| was all ready. pistol in hand. burn
ing with determination to shoot Fa-
gin down, yet her voice halted him.
Watt" she cried. standing erect
and scornful Il will not consent to
this. l am going to leave this room"
"Oh. ] reckon not" and he leered
into her eyes. Don't rouse me. or
yerll find out I'm wolf ter bite. Yer
get back there beside Grant, or I'll
make yer"
You will? You dare mott"
Don't |, Mistress?" he cried saw
agely. "11l show yer"
He reached forth one great hand,
the fingers gripping her sleeve. but
she wrenched away, the cloth tearing
as she sprang back.
"Fagin. know you. but I'm not
afraid Of you. ! know you for cruel.
cold-blooded murderer. an outrager of
women, a thief. and an outlaw. No,
you cannot stop me now. You are a
ow-down cowardly cur. making war
on women and children, sneaking
around in the paths Of armies, plum
dering and. looting the helpless. I
despise you and every man associated
with you. Neither you, nor all your
company. can make me marry Cap
tain Grant. I will die first No. don't
move, and don't think you are deal
ing with frightened girl l am des-
perate enough, but l can act"
Hell! Jones, take that hell-cat by
the arms!"
Jones will do nothing of the kind
and you-stand back. Fagin: don't
dare to lay hand on me again!"
Her face was white. her lips set, her
eyes blazing, but Fagin. assured Of
her helplessness. laughed. and stepped
forward From what hidden conceal
ment 1t came ! know not. but there
was the flash of a polished barrel. a
sharp report, the whirl Of smoke. and
the brute went backward over a chair.
crashing to the floor, with hands flung
high over his head. l was aware Of
the swift rush of body past me, of
steps going up the stairs, and then,
with a yell, my men poured out from
the library into the hall.