River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-01-18

in her favor-However familiar Haw-
ley attempted to be. he was evidently
not yet sufficiently sure of Miss Mac
laire to become entirely offensive.
81 reckon, Christie" he said slowly,
between puffs on his cigar, the lighted
end of which family illumined his
face, you've got the idea | have
brought you out here to make love.
Lord knows I'd like to well enough.
but just now there's more important
matters on hand. Fact is, my girl,
we're up against little back-set, and
have got to make a shift in our plans
"a. mighty quick shift, too" he added.
almost savagely.
IL don't think | understand"
mo, of course. you don't. You i'm
agine ali we've got to do in matter
of this kind is to step into the near
est court, and draw the money. One
trouble is, our evidence isn't complete
we've got to find that woman who
brought you up"
Obi" said Hope. not knowing
what else to say.
YES" he went on. apparently sat
isfied with her exclamation "Of
course, know she's dead, or at least,
you say so, but we haven't got enough
proof without her-not the way Old
Waite promises to fight your claim
and so we've got to hunt for substi-
tute Do you happen to know any old
woman about the right age who would
make affidavit for you? She probably
wouldn't have to go on the stand at
all. Waite will cave in as soon as he
knows we've got the evidence"
He waited for an answer. but she
hardly knew what to say. Then she re-
membered that Keith insisted that
Miss Maclaire had no conception that
there was any fraud in her claim.
mo, | know no one. But what do
you mean? | thought everything was
straight? That there was no question
about my right to inherit?'
We'll, there isn't, Christie, pulling
hercely on his cigar. But the courts
are particular; they have got to have
the whole thing in black and white. |
thought all along l could settle the en-
tire matter with Waite outside, but
the old fool won't listen to reason. |
saw him twice today"
'Twice?" Surprise wrung the word
from her.
Yes; thought l had got him of on
false scent and out of the way, the
first time, but he turned up again like
bad penny. What's worse he's evil
IDENTIFY stumbled on to a bit of legal
information which makes it safer for
us to disappear until we can get the
links of our chain forged He's taken
the case into court already, and the
sheriff is here tryin' to find me SO as
to serve the papers. i've got to skip
out, and so've you"
~" rising to her feet, Indignantly.
What have | done to be frightened
over?'
He laughed but not pleasantly.
"Oh, hell, Christie, can't you under
stand? Old Waite is after you the
same way he is me- It'll knock our
whole case If he can get you into
court before our evidence is ready.
All you know is what | have told you
that's straight enough-but we've
got to have proof can get it in a
month, but he's got hold of something
which gives him a leverage. | don't
know what it is-mayb1 it's just a
bluff-but the charge iy conspiracy,
and he's got warrants ou%. There is
nothing for us to do but akip.'
But my clothes; my engagement?
she urged, feeling the insistent sarn
estness of the man, and sparriGg fN
delay. why, | cannot go. BesideJ
if the sheriff is hunting US. the trains
will be watched"
DO you suppose | am fool enough
to risk the trains?" ha exclaimed.
roughly, plainly losing patience. Not
much; horses and the open plains for
us, and a good night the start of them
They will search for lac first, and
you'll never be missed until you fail
to show up at the TroaGero.'
Tonight" she cried. awakening to
the immediate danger, and rising to
her feet. You urge ne to fly with
you to-night?-now?"
Sure, don't be foolish and kick up
row. The horses are here waiting
just around the end of the ravine."
She pressed her hands to her breast,
shrinking away from him.
No! MOI will not go!" she de-
clared, Indignantly. Keep back!
Don't touch mel"
Hawley must have expected the re-
sistance, for with single movement
he grasped her even as she turned to
fly, pinning her arms helplessly to her
side, holding her as IN wise.
"Oh, but you will, my beauty" he
growled. Il thought you might act
up and I'm ready. Do you think am
fool enough to leave you here alone to
be pumped dry? 1t is big stake I'm
playing after, girl. and | am not going
to lose it through the whims of 3
woman"
She struggled 10 break loose, twist
ing and turning, but the effort was
useless. Suddenly he whistied sharp
Iv. There was the sound OF feet
scrambliig down the path, and the
frightened woman perceived the dim
outlines Of several approaching men.
She gave one scream, and Haw
ley released his grip on her arms tc
grasp her throat
She jerked away. half-stum bling
backward over a rock The revolver
carried concealed in her dress. was in
her hand. Mad with terror. scarcely
knowing what she did, she pulled the