Middletown transcript., 1912-06-08

There was nothing to tell" she an
swered quickly. Il was a young girl,
heart free; l liked this man, perhaps
because he was so different from those
to whom had been accustomed, and
when he pressed his suit upon me,
told him the truth. l did not love
him, l did not know whether l might
grow to care for him or not; if / did,
should marry him and if 1 did not
no power on earth could make me.
And now-I hate himT" She flung the
words at him saVagely.
Armstrong was beside himself with
fury at her words, and Newbold's cool
Indifference to him personally was un-
endurable. In battle such as he waged
he had the mistaken idea that any
thing was fair. He could not really
tell whether it was love of woman or
hate of man that was most dominant;
he saw at once the state of affairs be-
tween the two. He could hurt the
man and the woman with one state
ment; what might be its Interior effect
he did not stop to consider, perhaps If
he had he would not then have cared
greatly. He realized anyway that
since NewbOlds arrival his chance
with Enid was gone; perhaps wheth-
er Newbold were alive or dead it was
gone forever; although Armstrong did
not think that, he was not capable of
thinking very far into the future in
his then condition, the present bulked
too large for that.
81 did not think after that kiss in
the road that you would go back on
me this way, Enid" he said quickly
The kiss in the road" cried New
bold staring again at the woman.
You coward" repeated she, with
one swift envenomed glance at the
other man, and then she turned to her
lover. She laid her hand upon his
arm, she lifted her face up to him.
GAS God is my judge" she cried, her
voice rising with the tragic intensity
of the moment and thrilling with in
dignant protest, "he took it from me
like the thief and the coward he was
and he tells it now like the liar he is.
We were riding side by side, 1 was
utterly unsuspicious, thought him a
gentleman, he caught me and kissed
me before 1 knew it. 1 drove him
from me. That's all"
'I believe you," said Newbold gent
ly, and then for the first time, he ad-
dressed himself to Armstrong. You
came doubtless to rescue Miss Matt
land, and in so far your purpose was
admirable and you deserve thanks and
respect, but no further. This is my
cabin, your words and your conduct
render you unwelcome here Miss
Maitland is under nay protection; if
you will come outside 1 will be glad
to talk with you further"
Under your protection?" sneered
Armstrong beside himself. After a
month with you alone 1 take it she
needs no further protection"
Newbold did not leap upon the man
for that mordant insult to the woman;
his approach was slow, relentless, ter
rible. Eight or ten feet separated
them. Armstrong met him half way,
his impetuosity was greater, he sprang
forward, turned about, faced the full
light from the narrow window.
Well" he cried, have you got any
thing to say OF do about it?"
But Newbold had stopped, appalled,.
He stood staring as if petrifed; recog-
milton, recGIeC,il rushed over him.
Now and at last he knew the man.
The face that confronted him was the
same face that had stared out at him
from the locket he had taken from the
bruised breast of his dead wife, which
had been a mystery to him for all
these years.
well" tauntingly asked Armstrong
again, what are you waiting for, are
you afraid?"
From Newbold's belt depended a
holster and heavy revolver. AS Arm
strong made to attack him he flashed |
it out with astonishing quickness and |
presented it. The newcomer was un-
armed-his Winchester leaned against
the wall by his fur coat and he had
no pistol.
IF you move step forward or back
ward, said Newbold with deadly calm,
Il will kill you without mercy"
$50 you'd take advantage of a weap-
Onless man, would you?" sneered Arm
strong.
"Oh, for Gods sake" cried the wo-
man, don't kill him"
You both misjudge me-" was the an
swer. Il shall take no advantage of