The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-04-02

that. though all the criminals Of tho
gang m~istrusted each other. they new
or mistrusted her.
She resolved 10 save the boy. She
went secretly 10 his new friends and
told them wha she knew. after She
had made them swear not 10 take 4
step that would harm Fa~n or SKIES.
Her information was more than sufl-
Gent for them 10 find friends aud
relatives Of divers parents. and
these agreed TO keep her secret. not
to use the police even against Monks.
but 70 deal with him privately. as
they could Very easily With the
knowledge they had from the girl.
They pledged themselves 70 do j. in
such a way that Monks himself
should not he able 10 suspect whence
his betrayal had come.
They wanted TO do something for
her. They offered 10 find a home for
her. To give her asylum in a foreign
n where she would be safe.
She refused il. She refused every
possible form Of help. 1t was too
late. she said. h must go back 10
her life. such as il was, and SO long
as it might last.
Secretly though Nancy had acted,
cautiously though she had moved. II
CHANGED that She was seen. and fol-
loVed and spied pom h.. one pf Fa-
SIN 5 men. h SPY saw and heard
enough To suspect that the girl was
~betraying Fagin and Skies.
Every evil thing that lay in FacIn
heart: every Vile emotion that could
be stirred and set into q whirl BY rage
and hatred and fear, every black pur-
pose Of which he was capable. were
set 70 working within him when the
spy brought his news. When he met
Skies. he tried TO speak TO him. but
his passion was too great for words
at first and he could only shake his
trembling foretinger in the air. When
at last he could control himself and
told what had been learned Skies
leaped up fiercely.
"Hells fire. he screamed.
Bill. Bill" cried the old man.
Only a word"
The hOuSebreaker would not have
listened. had he been able in his blind
fury to open the door. He was de-
layed long enough to let Fagin come
up with him. Hear me speak a
word,' he painted. You won't be"
"Well?' demanded the house
breaker.
The day was dawning. There was
light enough for each to see the 9th
ers face. They exchanged one brief
glance. There was that in the eyes
Of both that could not be mistaken.
i mean" said Pagan. casting aside
all disguise. mot too violent for safe
ty.
Skies leaped into the street without
reply. Turning his head neither right
nor left. out looking straight before
him with his teeth SO set that the
strained jaw seemed starting through
the skin. he sped TO his dwelling. dou-
ble-locked the door and lifted a
heavy table against it.
His entrance had awakened her.
:. She raised herself with a startled look.
Bill" said she, in a low tone Of
alarm. why do you look like that al
: me-"
Selling her by the head and throat,
he dragged her into the middle Of the
room. looked onCe at the door. and
put his great hand over her mouth.
"Bill-Bill." she gasped. wrestling
with the strength that mortal. fear
; gave her. II won't scream or cry
not once-hear me-speak to NE
tell me what l have done
You know. you she-devil'"' he re-
piled. suppressing his breath. YOU
: were watched tonight"
Then spare me, for the love q
: heaven she cried, clinging to him
: Bill. dear Bill, you cannot have the
heart to kill me. Think Of all that
? have given up this night, only this
4 one night, for YOU, Blll. Blll, Tor deal
!. Gods sake. for your own. for mine
stop before you spill my blood.
have been true to you. upon my guilt,
. soul I have"
He struggled violently to RELEASE
himself: but her arms were arOunt
him and tear as he would, he coult
not tear them away.
: "A ttle-littl time she sobbed
/. He freed one arm and grasped hi.
pistol. The certainty of immediate
!, detection if he fired flashed across hi!
i mind even in the midst OF that fury
He turned it and beat twice. with al
; his mighty strength upon the upturn
. ed face.
She staggered and fell away from
II him. From a deep cash in her fore
4 head. the blood ran into her eyes an,
: blinded her. But she raised hersel
) to her knees and held out her hands
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