The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-04-29
Copyright, 1911, By W. @. Chapman :
CHAPTER XIII.
The BECOMING End.


held him firmly although restraint was
now unnecessary, the heat and fire OF
his passion being somewhat gone out
Of him. Il meant to kill him
He'd oughter die sure nuff," draw
led old Kirkby, rising from where he
had been kneeling by Armstrong;
SIDE" but l don't knows how you're
bound to be his executioner. He's all
right now, Miss Enid" said the old
man. "Here"-he took a pillow from
the bed and slipped it under his head
and then extending his hands he lift
ed the excited almost distraught wo-
man to her feet" faint fittin' for you
to tend on him."
"Oh," exclaimed Enid, her limbs
trembling, the blood flowing away
from her heart, her face deathly white,
fighting against the faintness that
came with the reaction, while old
Kirkby supported and encouraged her.
Il thank God you came. l don't know
what would have happened If you had
not"
Has this man mistreated your"
,,
ening his grip upon his hard breath
ing but unresisting passive prisoner.
NO, no." answered his niece. He
has been everything that man should
be-
and Armstrong" continued her
uncle.
mo, not even he"
IN oil
lated Newbold.
By this time Armstrong had recOv-
cred consciousness To his other
causes for hatred were now added cha
grin, modification, shame. He had
been overcome. He would have been
dead man and by Newbold's hands,
if the others had not interfered. He
almost wished they had let his en-
envy alone. Well, he had lost every
thing but a chance for revenge on
them all.
"She has been alone here with this
man in this cabin for a month" he
said thickly. Il was willing to take
her in spite of that, but"
"He made that damned suggestion
before" cried Newbold, his rage re-
turning. 81 don't know who you
are"
my name is Robert Maitland, and
I am this girls uncle
well, if you were her father,
/ could only swear"
1T isn't necessary to swear any
thing" answered Maitland serenely.
Il know this child, and l believe I'm
beginning to find out this man."
Thank you, Uncle Robert said
Enid gratefully, coming nearer to him
as she spoke mo man could have
done more for me than Mr.. Newbold
has, and no one could have been more
considerate Of me. AS for YOU she
turned to Armstrong, who now slowly
got to his feet, your insinuations
against me are on par with your
charges against the dead woman, be-
meath contempt"
What did he say about herr" asked
old Kirkby.
"You know my story?" asked New.
bold.
H Yes"
|
faithful to me-with him-and that he
had refused to take her back Great
God!"
And it was true" snarled Arm
strong
1t was all Maitland could do tc
check Newbold's rush, but in the end
1t was old Kirkby who most effectively
interposed.
That's damned lie," he said quiet
ly with his usual drawing voice
You can say so,' laughed Arm
strong. but that doesn't alter the
facts"
"And I can prove it," answered the
old man triumphantly.
1t was coming, the secret that she
had tried to conceal was about to be
revealed, thought Enid. She made {
movement toward the old man She
opened her mouth to bid him be silent
and then stopped. 1t would be use
less she knew. The determination
was no longer hers. The direction O
affairs had been withdrawn from her
After all it was better that the unlov
Ing wife should be proved faithful
even If her husbands cherished mem
DRY of her love for him had TO be de
stroyed thereby. Helpless she list
ened, knowing full we'll what the OLE
frontlersman's next word would be-
Prove it." Knocked Armstrong
How"
by your own hand, out of your OWL
mouth, you dog" Numbered old Kirk
by. Miss Enid, where are them let
tiers l give your"
IL" faltered the girl. but Their,
was no escape from the keen glance 0
the old man: her hand went to tn,
bosom of her tunic.
Letters exclaimed Armstrong
What leIters?"
These, answered Enid Maitland
holding up the packet.
Armstrong reached for them. Blu
kfrkby again interposed
No, you don't" he said dryIy
Them amt for your eyes yet. Nh
Newbold, l found them letters on tn,
little shelf where your wife first strucl
when she fell over onto the butt
where she died. I figured out he
dress was tore open there, and then
letters she was carrying fell out All
| lodged there We had roDes an W.