Middletown transcript., 1912-06-01
CHAPTER XXI.
rhs odds AaaInat Him.

door ana the 1nruBn OF cold air tina
followed awoke Enid Maitland to in
slant action. She rose to her feet and
faced the entrance through which, she
expected Newbold to reappear-for oi
course the newcomer must be he
and for the life Of her she could moi
help that radiating flash of joy, the
lmomentary anticipation Of which fair
ly transhgured her being; although ii
she had stopped to reflect she would
have remembered that not in the
whole course Of their acquaintance had
.Newbold ever entered her room at any
time without knocking and receiving
permission.
Some Of that Joy yet fingered in her
lovely face when she tardily recog-
nized the newcomer in the half light.
Armstrong, scarcely waiting to close
the door, sprang forward joyfully with
his hands outstretched.
Enid" he cried.
Naturally he thought the look of ex-
pectant happiness he had surprised
upon her face was for him and he
accounted for its sudden disappear
ance by the shock Of his unexpected,
unannounced, abrupt, entrance.
The warm color had flushed her
face, but as she stared at him her as
pect rapidly changed She grew paler.
The happy light that had shone in her
eyes faded away and as he approached
her she shrank back.
"You!" she exclaimed almost in ter
ror.
"Yes," he answered smilingly, 81
have found you at last. Thank God
you are safe and well. Oh, if you
could only know the agonies have
gone through. I thought l loved you
when left you six weeks ago, but
now"
In eager impetuoslty he drew nearer
to her. Another moment and he
would have taken her in his arms, but
she would have none Of him.
STOP" she said with a cold and
inhexible sternness that gave pause
even to his buoyant joyful assurance.
' why, what's the matter?"
"The matter? Everything, but"
NO evasions, please" continued the
man still cheerfully but with a grow
ing misgiving. His suspicions, in abey-
ance for the moment because Of his
Joy at seeing her alive and well, arose
with renewed force. Il left you prac-
Ideally pledged to me-" he resumed.
mot so fast" answered Enid Matt
land, determined to combat the light
est attempt to establish a binding
claim upon her.
isn't II trusT asked Armstrong.
Here, wait" he said before she could
answer Il am half frozen, have been
searching for you since early morn
ing in the storm" He unbuttoned and
unbelted his huge fur coat as he spoke
and threw It carelessly on the floor by
IhAs Winchester leaning against the
wall. Nov" he resumed, Il can talk
better"
You must have something to eat
khaD." EEtd the girl.
She was glad Of the interruption
!Stnoe she was playing for time. She
4ld not quite know how the interview
would end, he had come upon her SO
unexpectedly and she had never for
mHiated what she would say to him.
thAt which she felt she must say. She
must have time to think, to collect
hsrseh which he In his part was quite
willing to give her, for he was not
much better prepared for the inter
view than she He really was hungry
and tired, his early journey had been
itoolhardy and in the highest degree
dangerous. The violence Of his admir-
Ation for her added to the excitement
OF her presence, and the probable near
ness Of NewbOld as to whose where
lAbOuts he wondered were not conduc-
tVe to rapid recuperation. 1t would
lbe comfort to him also to have food
and time.
''Sit down." she said. 81 shall be
back in a moment"
The hre Of the morning was still
burning in the stove in the kitchen; to
heat a can Of soup, to make him some
buttered toast and hot coffee, were the
tasks Of a few moments; she brought
them back to him, set them on the ia,
BILE before him and bade him fall to.
by joVe," exclaimed the man after
q little time as he began to eat hast
ily but with great relish what she had
while she stood over him
watching him silently. This is coy.
A warm, comfortable room, something
to eat served by the finest woman in
the world, the prettiest girl on earth
to look at-what more could man de-
sire? This is the way it's going to be
always in the future"
You have no warrant whatever for
saying or hoping that" answered the
girl slowly but decisively.
Have not? asked the man quick.
". Did you not say to me a little |
while ago that you liked me better
than any man you had ever met and
that I might win you if could? Well, |
can, and what's more, / will in spite |
of yourself, Enid,"-he laughed. "Why, |
the memory Of that kiss stole from |
you makes me mad" He pushed the !
things before him and rose to his feet
once more. Come, give me another"
he said, 'ft isn't in the power of wo-
man to stand against a love like
mine"
Isn't it?"
mo, indeed"
Louise Newbold did," she answered
very quietly but with the swiftness
and the dexterity of a sword thrust
by master hand, mighty arm.
Armstrong stared at her In open
mouthed astonishment.
What do you know about Louise
Rosser or Newbold?" he asked at
last.
"All that want to know"
"And did that damned hound tell
7ou?
IF you mean Mr.. Newbold, he nev.
Or mentioned your name, he does not
Know you exist"
Where is he now?" thundered the
nan.
Have no fear" answered the wo-
nan calmly, he has gone to the set
dement's to tell them l am safe and