The Dolores star., 1913-01-31

she heard vas . crashing Of bushes
At some distance. and suddenly the
angry voices Of men. INSTANTLY she
hid herself. Probably Henry was
waiting for these people to pass b.
fore he showed himself.
Fiat on the ground under the brush
the SRI lay. her heart going like mad
with fear and suspense. The voices
were louder. and the men came nearer
--she had put her hands over her
ears. but took them away now and
deliberately listened. The lrst tone
she recognised was Max's voice, and
despite herself . great relief sud
sense Of safety crept over her. Al
least nothing dreadful could happen
with Max about.
I'll be policeman. spy or anything
else when II comes to her safety and
happiness. you dog! She doesn't have
to marry me; don't want her to un-
less she wants me more than she
seen's to. but At least I have put you
out of commission! You're not even
hrstclass scoundrel-Just . cheap
sneak! Do you suppose II took mo
long to get your record looked upf
What about your being fred by Mat
tox q Cot What did Il cost your
people to buy them on from prose
cutting your"
Something inside Drusie stopped.
She loved honesty. The men had
come 20 close that she might almost
have touched them. and she saw that
Max held the other man by his col
lar. and that suddenly he broke away
and aimed blow at his captor.
In = moment the two were lighting
desperately. crashing into the bushes.
Henry Main curuins. She was afraid
they would tread upon her. and
slipped up and hid behind a tree
trunk. She wanted to call for help,
she wanted to stop them. but she
dared not move. They might hurt
each other-he might-hurt Max.
Then she knew where her heart was.
Why didn't Max speaki
The thrashing about stopped. and
peering about, she saw dimly that
one man lay on the earth and that
the other knelt upon him. To her
Infinite relief II was Max who
spoke.
Nov. you get out Of here. and u
you want decent home life 20 and
try to win hack the wife you abused
until she divorced yos. and Be .
miner q the 10y yUa're not ~ 70
have! But you let my girl alonsi
She h mine. and when you're out
Of the way she'll come 10 her senses.
Now. you can tell me where she 10
pretty COMPOUNDED quick! ] know you
came here to meet her. and II would
be like you TO let her BE- frightened
somewhere In the dark waiting for
youi"
Let me up and IN get out OF
here!" Max let him rise. and In an
instant he wss running. crashing on
through the brush. Drusie found her
J voice-the dark was now Q terror to
her.
MAJ! Maxi" Her call was clear
and loud. and Max answered her. He
came toward her. and she went trem-
bling to meet him.
Are you-all right. Drusief"
Suddenly she went to him. putting
both her hands on his arm.
Take me home" she said, break.
Ing down and crying and sobbing.
Take me home!" He put arm arm
about her and lead her from the wood
and across the pasture. but he said
nothing about loving her. Tho un-
real. the dream Of the man who had
gone left her mind. and she saw how
close she had been-n0t to . great
danger 10 herself. but to the calamity
Of losing Max--if indeed shs had not
already lost him.
"Drusie." he said at length. n don't
want . vito who doesn't want me.
When you have made up your mind
you can send for me and will take
your decision. But what Do want 10
know II whether you have seen
enough tonight 10 make you sure you
don't want--that fellow. DO your"
She shivered. "You know hate
him." she breathed. "You know-l
must have been crasyi You know I
have never really wasted anybody
but you! You know want yos 10
forgive mel"
Al they came to tho harm old Beauty
put out her head again. and MAJ
laughed and turning 10 Drusis took
her In HE arms.
Home h best. Isn't ~ Even u
homo folks are common and plain.
But they love you. grit" A. they
came toward the house tho girl's
father put bic sray head fron the
window Of Bio room.
Who's thsrer" he demanded bsllis.
srently. MAG answereA:.
Only Msx." be said quietly. II
coaxsd Drusis out . couple Of hosrs
aso. Il took " Q loae time 70 mako
W. oorry Tn briagins hss % % late.
She's al right"
Drusis knew that Der fathers gruns
was 4 Rrunt az ANno fov. ~ knnW