The San Francisco call., 1913-10-03
Contiaued From Yesterday
CHAPTER xyIII-Continued

against the one whom he cherished SO
fondly.
There came diversion from the
man who had made the capture, who
was nightly wondering over the
course of events. which was wholly
unlike anything in the whole of his
own rather extensive housebreaking &
experience
Who's this. anyhow" Chicago Red
demanded
There was a primitive petulance in
his drawing tones.
Dick answered with conciseness
enough.
I'm her husband. Who are your
Mary called soft admonition
Don't speak, any of you," she di-
rected. You mustn't let him hear
your voices"
Dick was exasperated by this per-
sistent Identification of herself with
these criminals in his fathers house.
You're fighting me like a coward" /"
he said. hotly. His voice was bitter.
The eyes that had always been warm
in their glances on her were chill
now. He turned little way from
her. as IL in instructive repugnance-
You are taking advantage of my
love. You think that because of it I
can't make a move against these
men. Now. listen to me; T."
Il won'trs Mary cried Her words
were shrill with mingled emotions.
There's nothing to talk about" she
went on wildly. There never can be
Le.s cen you and me-"
The young mans voice came with a
sonorous firmness that was new to 1t.
In these moments the strength Of
him, nourished by suffering, was put
tpo 20 His IN
masterful.
There can be and there will be,
he contradicted. He raised his voice
little, speaking into the shadows
where was the group Of silent men.
You men back there he cried.
..If / give you my word to let every
one of you go free and pledge myself
never to recognize one Of you again.
will you make Mary here listen to
me? That's all I ask. ! want few
minutes to state my case. Give me
that Whether I win or lose. you men
| 70 free. and I'll forget everything
that has happened here tonight
There came a mufiied guffaw OF
laughter from the big chest of CHI
cago Red at this extraordinarily In
genious proposal. while Dacey
chuckeled more quietly.
Dick made a gesture OF impatience
at this open derision.
TELL them I can be trusted he
bade Mary curtly.
1t was Carson who answered
II know that you can be trusted,
| he said, because / know you To-
He checked himself with a shiver and
out of the darkness his face showed
white.
"You must listen' Dick went on,
facing again toward the girl, who was
trembling before him, her eyes Dy
turns searching his expression or
downcast in unfamiliar confusion,
which she herself could hardly under
stand
"Your safety depends on me-" the
| young man warned
Suppose I should call for help?
Carson stepped forward threaten
ingly.
You would call once" he said. very
gently, yet most grimly. HIS nano
went to the noiseless weapon In MS
coatpocket.
But the young mans answer re-
yealed the fact that he, too, was de-
termined to the utmost, that ne un-
derstood perfectly the situation.
"Once would be quite enough, ne
said simply.
Carson nodded in acceptance OF the
defeat 1t may be. too. that In some
subtle fashion he admired this youth
suddenly grown resolute. competent
to control q dangerous event. There
was even the possibility that some
instinct of tenderness toward Mary
herself made him desire that this op-
portunity should be given for wfping
out the effects of misfortune which
fate hitherto had brought into her
life.
"You win" Carson said, with a half
laugh. He turned to the other men
and spoke command.
"You get over by the hall door,
Red And keep your ears open every
second Give us the Office IL you hear
ANYTHING. II we're rushed, and have
to make q quick get away, see that
Mary has the first chance. Get that,
all of you?"
AS Chicago Red took up his ap-
pointed station. Carson turned to
Dick.
Make it quick, remember"
He touched the other two and
moved back to the wall by the fire.
place, as far as possible from the
husband and wife by the couch.
Dick spoke at once, with hesi-
tancy that betrayed the depth Of his
emotion.
Don't you care for me at all?" he
asked wistfully.
The girls answer was uttered with
nervous eagerness which revealed her
own stress of fear.
No, no, nor she exclaimed, re-
belliously.
Now, however, the young man had
regained some measure OF reassur-
ance
II know you do. Mary he asserted,
confidently; "a little. anyway. Why.
Mary" he went on reproachfully,
cant you see that you're throwing
away everything that makes life
worth while? Don't you see that
There was no word from the girl
Her breast was moving convulsively
| She held her face steadfastly averted
| from the face of her husband
why don't you answer me?' he
| insisted.
| Mary's reply came with all the
| coldness she could command.
| THAT was not in the bargain,
Mary said. indifferontly.
The mans voice grew tenderly win
ming. persuasive with the longing OF
a lover, persuasive with the pity OF
/ the righteous for the sinner.
Mary, Mary!" he cried. You've
| got to change. Don't be so hard
Give the woman in you chance"
The girls form became rigid as she
fought for self-control. The ples
touched to the bottom of her heart
but she could not. would not yield
Her words rushed forth with bitter
ness that was the cover Of her dis
| tress.