Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-01-31

away from him. dreadins what was to
come. One thing alone she felt was
I'm her favor-HoWever5 familiar Haw-
Icy attempted to be. he was evidently
not yet suf1ciently sure OF Miss Mac
laire to become entirely offensive.
II reckon. Christie" he said slowly.
between pufs 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 IKE to well enough.
but just now there's more important
matters on hand. Fact Is. my girl.
we're up against q little back-set. and
have got to make q shift in our plans
- mighty quick shift. too" he added.
almost sayagely.
IL don't think 1 understand"
mo, Of course. you don't. You i'm.
agine all we've got TO do in . matter
of this kind Is to step into the near
est court, and draw the money. One
trouble ia, 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
is1ed with her exclamation. "Of
course. 4 know she's dead, or It 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 q substf.
tute. Do you happen to know any old
woman about the right age who would
make anidavit for you! She probably
wouldn't have to go on the stand q
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. 1 know no one. But what do
you mean? II thought everything wa
straight? That there TAI no question
about my right to inherit?"
Well, there isn't, Christie" pulling
nercely on his cigar. but the courts
are particular: they have got to have
the whole thing In black and white. y
thought all along i could settle he's y
tire matter with Waite outside. but
the old fool won't listen to reason. /
saw him twice today"
Twice 2" Surprise wrung the word
from her.
Yes: thought 1 had got him of on.
. false scent and out Of the way the
nrst time. but he turned up again like
. bad penny. What's worse, he's evi.
IDENTIFY stumbled on to . bit Of legal
Information which makes 1t safer for
us to disappear until we can get the
links OF u chain forged. He's taken
the case into court already. and the
sheriff Il here tryin' to find me 80 q
to serve the papers. I've got to skip
out, and so'ye you"
III. rising to her feet. indignantly.
What have l done to be frightened
over?"r II
He laughed, but not pleasantly.
..Oh. hell, Christie. can't you under.
stand7 Old Waite Il after you the
same way he is me. It'll knock our
whole case il he get you into
court before our evidence IL ready.
All you know Is what !; have told you
that's straight enough-but we've.
got to have proof. 4 car get It In q
month, but he's got hold OF something
which gives him a leverage. don't
know what 1t is-maybe its Just
blun-but the charge 10 conspiracy.
and he's got warrants out There y
nothing for US to do but skip"
but my clothes; my engagement"
she urged, feeling the insistent earn
estness OF the man. and sparring for
delay. why. I cannot go. Besides.
II the sheriff Is hunting IS. the trains;
will be watched"
DO you suppose l am fool enough
Ito risk the traips?" he exclaimed.
roughly, plainly losing patience. Mot
much: horses and the open plains for
us. and a good night the start Of them.
They will search for me nrst. and
you'll never be missed until you fail
to show up at the sTroadero."
Tonight she cried, awakening to
the Immediate danger, and rising TO
her feet. you urge me to ny with
you tonight nova"
Sure. don't be foolish and kick up
q row. The horses are here waiting
Just around the end Of the ravine.
She pressed her hands to her breast.
shrinking away from him.
mo! No! | will not go!" she do
clared. Indignantly. Keep back!
Don't touch mel"
Hawley must have expected the q
sistance. for with a single movement
he grasped her even as she turned to
fly. pinning her arms .helplessly to her
side, holding her as in a wise.
.Oh, but you will, my beauty" he
growled. II thought Q might act
up and I'm ready. Do you think ! am
fool enough to leave you here alone to.
be pumped dry? 1t is q big stakegl'm
| playing after. girl. and am not going
Ito lose 1t through the whims of o
woman"
She struggled to break loose. twist.
ing and turning. but the effort vas
useless. Suddenly he whistled sharp
". There was the sound of feet
scrambling down the path. and the
frightened woman perceived the dim
outlines OF several approaching men
She gave one cream and Haw.
ley released his grip on her arms to
grasp her throat
she Jerked away. half-stumbling
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
trigger. In the flash she saw n
man throw up his hands and go down.
The next instant the others we're upon
her.
tTo BE c~oNTINUEDJ