Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-02
LcClurg & Co.. 1909
toned, doubtfully.


ing her with manifest approval. "You
are certainly looking fine tonight, my
girl. It's difficult to understand how
I ever managed to keep away from
you so long"
She flushed to the hair, her lips
trembling at the open holiness of his
tone.
II prefer you would not speak
like that" she protested.
"And why not?" with light laugh.
Come, Christie, such fine airs are
trifle out Of place. If 1 didn't know
you were concert hall artist, might
be more deeply impressed AS 1t is,
l reckon you've heard love words be-
fore now.''
"Mr Hawley. l have trusted you as
gentleman. l never came here ex-
Dept on your promise to bring me to
my brother" and she stood erect be-
fore him. "You have no right to even
assume that l am Christie Maclaire."
Sure not; don't assume. l have
seen that lady too often to be mis-
taken. Don't try on that sort Of thing
with mel don't take to 1t kindly.
Perhaps kiss might put you in bet
ter humor.'
He took step forward, as though
proposing to carry out his threat, but
the girl stopped him, her eyes burn
ing with Moderation.
How - -o,1," she exclaimed pas
sionately. all fear leaving her in sud.
den resentment "You think me alone
here and helpless; that you can insult
me at your pleasure. Don't 60 too
far, Mr.. Hawley. know what you
are now, and 1t makes no difference
what you may think OF me, or call me;
you'll find me perfectly able to defend
myself"
ooh, indeed!" sneeringly, you are
an actress instead of singer. But
you waste your talent out here on me.
Do you imagine fear either you, or
your precious brother? Why, 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; 1t is
what 1 could induce men to swear
he had done. It's easy enough to
convict in this country. If you only
know how. 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-
I know who you are, all right, and
can guess why you are hunting after
Fred Willoughby. l 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-
with your"
why should II" and the man stepped
forward, his eyes on her, his
hands twitching with desire to clasp
her to him, yet restrained by some un-
definable power. while believed
your brother story. could have play
ed the good Samaritan most beautiful
ly but after talked with Willoughby
prefer him at 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 a kid like that, Christie. A
couple of drinks will loosen his ton
que, and put you in wrong. Come, now,
I 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 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 friend to you. and you can be
mighty glad you got rid of Willoughy
so easily. Why, can buy you dia-
monds whore he couldn't give you a
calico dress. Come on, let's stop this
fcolishness. took q liking to you
back there in the stage. and the more
I've thought about you since the
crazier I've got. When 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. love you, do you un-
derstand that7 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
mel" she painted. you lie; Fred Will
loughby never told you that II you
come one step nearer, I'll scream; I'll
call your men here; I'll tell them the
kind of cur you are"
/ He laughed leaning over toward
her, yet hesitating, his eyes full of ad-
miration Her very fierceness appealed
to him, urged him on.
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