The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-07-06


She swept past him. around the end
OF the table, and confronted Grant,
who drew back step, scowiing.
so this is your way, Is 1t. to win a
woman you cannot gain by fair
means? No, there Is no need Of your
answering: l understand the whole
despicable scheme. You masquerad-
ing as prisoner of this creature!
You are his puppet. I've known It for
months. ! learned the truth from
Eric, and from that moment despised
you. While ! believed you an honor
able soldier / was able to treat you
with outward respect, but no longer.
You threatened me with forced mar
riage 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 prisoner.
These men are here at your instiga-
tion; you are concerned In their in
fanny. ] would rather die than have
you touch mel"
She turned her back upon him. her
face white, her eyes blazing, but Fa-I
gin stood between her and the en-
trance, grlnning sayagely.
let me pass, sir; this Is my far
theirs house"
Not while | am here, Mistress" hei
Snarled. without moving. "The old
man isn't ridin' after me with cquad-l
ron of cavalry today This happens
to Be my turn to give orders. and YER
to obey! DO yer hear-yer'll obey!l
Those were mt pretty words yer spoke
to Grant. but they don't hurt.me none.,
You damned little spltfire, I'd marry
yer myself II could, just to break YER
spirit AS 1t is, I'll show yer yer mas
ter fer once. So it's the spy yer want,I
is H?" -
She stared at I'm without word.
depth Of hatred but no fear in hep
level eyes.
lost yer tongue, have yer! Wen.
we'll 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 asgoin' ter
act In his place. Wen have q loyalist
marriage, by God! an have 1t now.
Come. move, you coyote--Jones. hustle
him along, Now. Captain, there's a
good place ter stand, in between. those
Windows. Mistress Claire
Twas all ready. pistol iifnals0Beburn-
ing with a determination to shoot Fa-
gin down. yet her voice halted him.
Watt" she cried, standing erect
and scorpful. II will not consent to
this am going to leave this, room"
"Oh, reckon not" and he leered
into her eyes Don't rouse me, or
yer'll find out I'm wolf ter bite. Yer
get back there beside Grant, or III
make yer"
You will? You dare not!"
Don't l.. Mistress?" he cried saw
agely, "I1l show yer"
He reached forth one great hand,
the fingers gripping her sleeve, but
she wrenched away. the cloth tearing
as she sprang back. 1s
''Fagin, | know you, but I'm not
afraid OF you. / know you for cruel,
1oldbiooded murderer, an outrager of
a thief, and an outlaw No,
you cannot stop me now. You are
Low-down cowardly cur, making war
On women and children, sneaking
around in the paths of armies, plum
dering and footing the helpless.
lespise you and every man associated
With you Neither you, nor all your
can make me marry Cap
ain Grant, | will die first. No, don't
move, and don't think you are deal
ng with a frightened girl, | am des-
,erate enough, but can act"
Hell! Jones. take that hell-cat by
he arms"
Jones will do nothing of the kind
and yoti--stand back, Fagin; don't
lare to lay hand on me again!"
Her face was white. her lips set. her
yes blazing. but Fagln, assured Of
Ter helplessness, laughed, and stepped
onward. From what hidden conceal,
nent 1t came I know not, but there
vas the flash Of a polished barrel. a
harp report, the whirl Of smoke, and
he brute went backward over chair.
rashing to the floor. with hands flung
Ugh over his head. was aware OF
he swift rush of body past me, OF
teps going up the stairs, and then,
Nth yell, my men poured out from
he library into the hall