Eastern Colorado times., 1912-11-29

the main body lay. Some careless
ness had brought us good luck in hav-
ing the front Of the house left un.
guarded. These thoughts swept over
me. and left me confident. The time
had come when was to serve her. to
prove my own worthiness. ] felt ready
and eager for the trial.
caught glimpse Of Jenks' face, as
Bill jerked him forward. The man
was gray with terror. his parchment
like skin scanned and contorted. He
was tall. loose-jointed creature, wear
ing a long black coat Tapping about
his knees. The guard fairly held him
up in the doorway, and both Fagin and
Jones laughed at the pitiful sight. the
former ending his roar with an out.
burst of profanity.
go on back ter the front door, BILL"
he ordered roughly. "This fellow'll
never run away; his legs wouldn't
carry him. Now, Mr.. Preacher" glow.
ering savagely at the poor devil across
the bottle-strewn table, do yer know
who ! am?"
jerks endeavored to answer. from
the convulsive movement Of his throat.
but made no sound. Fagin cursed
again.
III 1t wasn't such a waste Of good
liquor I'd pour some of this down your
gullet." he exclaimed. shaking a half.
filed bottle in his fist. Then maybe
you could answer when I spoke to you.
Now. see here, you canting old hypo-
critic, I'm Red Fagin, an l guess you
know what that means. I'm pisen, an
! don't like your style. Now you're
goin' to do just what tell you, or the
boys will have a hangin' bee down in
the ravine. Speak up, an tell me what
you propose to do"
jerks wet his dry lips with his
tongue, clinging to the sides of the
door with both hands.
= "What-what is 1t you wish Of me?"
his uncertain gaze wandering over the
three faces, but coming back to Fagin.
"You are to marry this officer here
to young lady"
"What-what young lady?"
"Mortimer's daughter-Claire is the
name. isn't it, Grant? Yes, Claire;
you know her, I reckon"
could hear the unfortunate man
breathe in the silence. but Fagin's
eyes threatened.
Isis she here?" he faltered help
lessly. Does she desire the-the cere-
THAT doesn't happen to be any Of
your business" broke in Fagin bluntly.
This Is my affair, an the fewer ques-
tons you ask the better. II we want
some fun. what the hell have you got
to do. with 1t. you snivelling spoil
sport! haven't asked either OF them
about 1t: Just decided 1t was time
they got married. Stand up. man, and
let go that door," he drew a derringer
from his belt and flung it onto the
table. There's my authority-that.
an fifty hell-hounds outside wonder
ng why l don't loot the house. an be
lone. Do you want to be turned over
10 them? II you don't then speak up.
VIII you tie them. or not?"
jerks eyes wandered toward Jones.
who stared blankly back at him, vel.
ow fangs showing beneath his beard
"Why-or course-yes," he faltered
weakly. "I-suppose must"
Don't seem much chance to get
out. does there, parson? Well, l reckon
It won't hurt your conscience particu.
arly. Bill! Where's Bill?"
"You sent him to guard the front
1oor," explained Jones.
That's right. I did. You'll do Just
as we'll. Go up stairs, an bring the
girl down. She's with the old man.
an Culberson Is guarding the door.
Better not say what she's wanted for.
Just tell her Captain Grant wishes to
speak to her a moment"
Jones Strengthened up, and pushed
past the preacher. the stairs creaking
under his weight as he went up over
my head. Grant arose, and stood
looking out the window into the glow
Of the sunshine. and jerks dropped
into the nearest chair, still staring
across the table at Fagin. For the
first time I seemed to entirely grasp
the situation. got to my feet, yet
dare not move SO much as q step, for
Fagin was facing the hallway. 1t ap-
parently would be better to wait until
after the girl came down stairs. until