The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-12-19

a lure. IF told you l made a mis-.
take? II told you that was very un.
happy?-and am. And did make a
mistake"
Fear began to grow on Messner.
He felt himself willing under the
lightly laid hand. The situation was
slipping away from him. all his beau.
tiful calmness was going.
II am coming back to you, John. I
am coming back today--nOw.-
Suddenly he sprang to his feet,
thrust her from him as her arms at
tempted to circle about him, and re-
treated backward to the door. He was
in . panic.
'Tu do something desperate!" he
cried.
Don't run away" she laughed. Il
won't bite YOU"
II am not running away" he re-
piled with child.like defiance. at the
same time pulling on his mittens. I'm
only going to get some water"
When he entered he found the 9th.
er man waiting, standing near tho
stove, q certain stiff awkwardness and
INDIGESTION in his manner. Messner sat
down his water pals.
Glad to meet you, Graham
Womble," he said In conventional
tones. az though acknowledging an In
PRODUCTION.
Messner did not offer his hand.
Womble stirred uneasily, feeling for
the other the hatred one Ia prone to
feel for one he has wronged.
And so you're the chap" Messner
said in marveling accents. We'll. well.
You see I really am glad to meet you.
I have been--er--curious to know
what Theresa found In you--where,
may say. the attraction lay. Well,
we'll"
And he looked the other up and
down rs q man would look q horse
up and down.
What we want to know is what
are you going to do?" Womble asked.
Messner made well-feigned ges-
ture of helplessness.
II really don't know"
"All three of us cannot remain the
night in this cabin"
Messner nodded affirmation.
Then somebody must get out"
THAT also Is incontrovertible,
Nessner agreed. When three bodies
cannot occupy the same space at the
same time. one must get out"
And you're that one" Womble an.
nounced grimly. IT'S a ten-mile pull
to the next camp, but you can make
Il all right"
Messner cleared his throat. "Your
lungs are all right, aren't they?
("Yes. but what OF it,"
Again the other cleared his throat
and spoke with painstaking and ju.
nothing OF 1t. except--ah-accordi
TO your own reasoning, there is moth
ing 20 prevent your getting out, hit
ting the frost. 80 to speak. for mat
ter Of ten miles. YOU can make It
all right"
; Womble looked with quick suspicion
1t Theresa and caught In her eyes
. CLINT Of pleased surprise.
"Well?" he demanded OF her.
She hesitated and q surge of anger
daykened her face. He turned upon
Mcssner.
Enough OF this, you can't stop
here"
YES, I can"
Womble stopped a moment to steady
his voice and control himself. Then
he spoke slowly, in a low, tense
voice.
Look here. Messner. IL you refuse
to get out I'll thrash you. This isn't
I California. I'll beat you to Jelly with
my two fists"
Messner shrugged his shoulders. "Tf
you do, I'll call miners meeting
and see you strung up to the nearest
tree. Az you said. this Is not Cali.
fornia. They're a simple folk, these
miners. and all I'll have to do will be
10 show them the marks Of the beat.
Ing, tell them the truth about you.
and present my claim for my wife
The woman attempted TO speak,
but Womble turned upon her iercely.
In marked contrast was Messner,s
Please don't intrude, Theresa"
What Of her anger and pent feelings,