The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1914-11-26
spell. They were In the middle Of the


coward. Once thought you prince
ly man. and | put in your hands not
alone myself. but my inheritance-all
because | loved and trusted you. You
have sold the business gave you. the
house, all. and intend to leave me pen
niless with little child"
AS though wearied of the affair. be
turned to pick up his cane and hat.
Watt she cried imperiously. "You
shall not leave this room until | have
what belongs to me-
And what is that?'
He turned and approached her as
iaerins bully. with quick step in the at
titude of attack.
He expected that she would cringe.
but there was that intimidating ex-
preston to her eye which he did not
like, and she seemed so utterly un-
afraid of him. so different from what
she always had been heretofore.
This enraged him and he glowered
at her. but he was a coward. and he
saw the glitter of steel in her white
hand.
She approached him. and he stepped
back uncertainly-he did not know!
What coward you are! You can
bully defenseless woman. but when
the odds are about even for me you
back up-lily Iivered Even some brutes
are fearlessr'
You're mad. Mabel. know you
wouldn't dare use that in your hand.
and won't let you stop my going"
Il do not intend to stop you--wouldn't
care to. if you wish to CO.
She smiled sardonically and asked
him quite easily to he seated She
said that there were still some matters
to be settled
He sat down reluctantly. as though
compelled. and replied gruffly:
Hurry up about it, will your
DO you intend to leave me penni-
less? ! suppose the law allows you
to keep what ! have given you. New
ertheess want it back"
81 haven't got the money with me.
but I'll make arrangements IN the
|
| to you ] intended to do it anyway,
| hut it must he bargain that you
will not interfere with my plans When
get away you can whistle all you
want"
II won't move my hand to bother
your plans. want all of that money
before you leave this ROOM"
| II haven't got it. told you"
| He shrugged and turned to go.
"YOu forget" she remarked casually
how on my fathers ranch I used te
| show that could shoot-a 4ittlei
/ Could be SO foolish as to fear anything
| now? You shall not leave the room
will stand back by the folding doors
and wait for five minutes. then you
will know that have not lost my
accuracy unless you do as say"
She walked unconcernedly to th.
portieres.
He was impelled to spring upon her
but he. knew full well how quick ant
alert she was and that her nonchal
ance was only assumed
He realized that she was desperate
and fearless. intrepid woman. Hi
gagged her slyly us she leaned against
the portieres. head bowed. looking Al
the tiny watch in her hand.
| He moved. She did not notice. HI
half rose. yet seeming to sit: yawned
He gained confdence: took out hi.
handkerchief.
! He suddenly took the step. and-hel
arm was raised before he had ief
his chair!
He groaned as though wounded
sprang aside. stumbled and fell
The lid of the watch snapped ON
inously. She placed the watch in he
belt. stepped between the portieres
her right hand in the folds Of he
dress. and threw herself into a pro
fessional pose.
He had risen. his face blanched witt
physical fear
She leaned slightly forward. H
shrieked:
Don't. don't, Mubelp'
''One. two"
Here" he gasped. and tossed at he
a large pocketbook which he ha'
drawn from his breast pocket
She rested on knee on the floor AM
with her free hand examined the con
tents
There were many bills. She counte'
them
Il want the rest Of it."
There Is no more"
She laughed stridently.
"lt's true Everything has gone to th
dogs: you have what was saved frOI
the wreck
Take off your coat.' she con
manded
He did so.
"Your waistcoat"
He hestitated-then spoke.
There's no use making "a fool {
yourself. Mabel man can't carry
bunch of valuables in his vestp'
Take it otf-quickr'
He grew hot with anger. wild wit
rage. but WAS fearful.
He threw his vest on the floor.
Empty all your pocketsr'
He did SO. the bills in a little hea
: on the floor The change rolled abol
as he flung it down.
From the inside pocket of bis ve
she drew a packet of papers in
leather se-banknotes and foreie
drafts aggregating a fortune.
She sorted the papers carefully ar
threw ii bundle Of them toward him.
.Yon will have to indorse those
mo Haro,S your fountain nen 1"