The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-02-06
A Startling Test.

e'~'''o '$sS'
'Unarmed," shouted Colonel Grand
why. he is armed to the teeth Hes
after me. He's going TO kill me on
sight ! swear"
What is to prevent him from doing
SO now, Colonel" demanded David.
'Mr Braddock are you armed"
No" said Braddock. do you sup
pose if had a gun l would be stand
ing behind this girl?"
do YOU hear that, cabby? DO you.
colonel? Now, I want to say just this
to you. sir. l am going to the nearest
police station and swear out a warrant
for your arrest l can't hold you my
self but I can do the next best thing.
I can land you In jail for attempted
murder"
David opened the cab door and cool
down and enter.
Mary Braddock waited no longer.
She sped down the steps. passing the
slow moving. stupefed colonel. and
ruthlessly showed Roberta Grand to
one side, taking her stand in front OF
her husband. facing his foe.
TT is not necessary for my husband
to shield himself behind your flesh
and blood. Colonel Grand" she said,
her head erect Now. II you care to
shoot you have both OF us at your
mercy"
step lively. Colonel Grand" com
manded Jenison. Permit me, Miss
Grand"
Don't touch mel" hissed Roberta.
disdaining his assistance. The look
she bestowed upon her father as she
passed him was not pleasant one. He
had promised her a different reception
at the Portman home. She entered the
cab, frightened and dlsmayed. Her
father still grasping his pistol. cast
defeated, almost appealing glance at
the uncompromising face Of the young
man who held open the door.
You can't obtain warrant for
me-" he said nervously. 81 have the
law on my side. I can prove that this
man threatened"
Drive on. cabby." said David relent-
lessly.
The gritting OF Tom Braddock's teeth
did not escape the tortured ears OF his
wife. She looked up quickly. He was
glaring after the cab. a look Of appall-
ing ferocity in his face.
Come into the house. Tom" she
said quickly.
81 won't keep you long" he grated.
I've got other business on hand" 1t
occurred to him to tender David his
need OF praise. "That was pretty
sharp in you. David. staving him of
like that. I owe you something for
doing that"
Braddock seemed to be studying
each successive slab Of stone as he as
cended. The muscles of his Jaw were
working. He seemed to have formed
habit of jamming his hands far down
into his coat pockets.
THAT was the only chance he'll
ever have" was his sententious re-
mark No other word was uttered un-
til they were inside the house Mrs.
Braddocks gasp OF relief could not
have been called a sigh.
Thank Cod" she breathed, sinking
upon the hall seat and clasping her
clenched hands to her breast
Braddock shot a quick glance up the
broad stairway. The surroundings
were strange to him-he had never
been inside the home of his father-in-
law before-but he knew that Chris
tine was somewhere overhead.
"How's Christine. Nary" he asked
roughly.
She is wretchedly unhappy. Tom
| k,o
it, but close observer might have
seen the futter of his eyelid and the
sharp, convulsive movement in the
coat pocket. Il don't want her to
see me-" he said.
She wants to see you"
He faced her angrily. NO! I've
got to take care Of my nerves. cant
take any chances on having EN- up
set See here, David" he said, low
ering his voice and speaking with
deadly emphasis, that talk of yours
about swearing out warrant for
Grand don't go. do you understand?
l don't want him to be arrested. l
don't want him locked up. I want
him to be free. He'd be too safe be-
hind the bars?'
| The sound Of a door opening above
came to them. Christine's face ap-
peared over the railing above. She
leaned far forward and called out in
the high tense tones Of extreme nerv.
BUSINESS:
Father! 1t is you? Are you
there?"
There was no response
The effect on Braddock was astound-
ing. Signs Of a great convulsion re-
vealed themselves in his face. His
lips were parted and drawn as II in
pain. His eyes were half closed,
screening the emotion that groped be-
hind the lids. 1t was the face. the fig-
ure Of . man nightly shaken by an
unexpected emotion.