The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-03-01

den resentment You think me alone here and helpless; that you can insult me at your pleasure, Don't go too far, MT. Hawley. I know what. you are now, and it makes no difference what you may think of me, or call me; you'll find me perfectly able to defend myself''
 "Oh, indeed!" sneeringly, you are melodramatic; you should have been an actress instead of a singer. But you waste your talent out here on me- Do you imagine fear either you, or your precious brother? Why, I could have him hung tomorrow"
 She was staring at him with wide open eyes, her face white.
 ''What-what do you mean? What has Fred done?'
 He was cold and sarcastic.
 That makes no difference; it is what I could induce men to swear he had done. It's easy enough to convict in this country, if you only know how. I simply tell you this, so you won't press me too hard. Puri- tanism is out of place west of the Mis- souri, especially among ladies of your profession. Oh, come, now, Christie, don't try to put such airs on with me. 1 know who you are, all right, and can guess why you are hunting after Fred Willoughby I pumped the boy, and got most of the truth out of him.
 "You-you have seen him, then. since you left me-" she faltered, be- vildere6, and didn't bring him here with you?''
 Why should I ?" and the man stepped forward, his eyes on her, his hands twitching wich desire to clasp her to him, yet restrained by some un- definable power. While I believed your brother story I could have play ed the good Samaritan most beautiful ly, but after I talked with Willoughby I prefer him at a distance"
 My brother story! Do you mean to insinuate you doubt his being my brother? He told you that?"
 He gave up the whole trick. You can't trust kid like that, Christie. A couple of drinks will loosen his ton que, and put you in wrong. Come, now, know it all; be reasonable"
 Apparently the girl had lost her power of speech, staring blindly at the face of the man before her, as bird meets the slow approach of a snake. Keith could see her lips move, but making no sound. Hawley evidently interpreted her silence as hesitation, doubt as to his real meaning.
 You see where you are at now, Christie, he went on swiftly. But you don't need to be afraid. I'm going to be a friend to you, and you can be mighty glad you got rid of Willoughy so easily. Why, can buy you dia- monds where he couldn't give you a calico dress. Come on, let's stop this foolishness. took a liking to you back there in the stage, and the more I've thought about you since the crazier I've got. When I succeeded in pumping Willoughby dry, and discov- cred you wasn't his sister at all, why that settled the matter. I came down here after you. I love you, do you un- derstand that? And, what's more, l intend to have you!''
 He reached out, and actually grasp ed her, but, in some manner, she tore loose, and sprang back around the end of the table, her cheeks flushed, her eyes burning.
 Don't. touch me! don't dare touch ihC. oAC pcAIOo- Ou II Oo WIT loughby never told you that If you come one step nearer, I'll scream; I'll call your men here; I'll tell them the kind of a cur you are"
 He laughed, leaning over toward her, yet hesitating, his eyes full of ad miraticn Her very fierceness appealed to him, urged him on
 "Oh, I wouldn't! In the first place they probably wouldn't hear. for they are camped down in the corral I sus- pected you might be something of a tigress, and preferred to light it out with you alone. Then, even if they did hear, there would be no inter. got those fellows trained too well for that, Come on. Christie; you're helpless here"
 Am. I?''.
 Yes. you are ..s.-..,
 He took "a step toward her, his hands flung out With one quick movement she Espfafig aside and ext1nsuished the lamp, pIunging the room intS instant darkness. A few red coa1s Elowed duly in the fireplace. but all else was dense blackness, Keith heard the of Hawley, as he felt his was uncertainty. along the table, swearing as he failed to find the girl. Then, like shadow, he glided through the partly open door into the room.