Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-27

and ironical that the words seemed 20
strike slowly like a clock.
"You have become iowa beast and
a coward. Once l thought you a prince
ly man. and ! put in your hands not
alone myself. but my lnheritance-aT
because | loved and trusted you. You
have sold the business I gave you. the
house. all. and intend to leave me pen
niless with a little childI'
AS though wearied Of the affair. be
turned to pick up his zane and hat
"waitl" she cried imperiously. You
shall not leave this Don until ! have
what belongs to me"
"And what Is thatF'
He turned and approached her as q
leering bully. with quick step IN the at
titude Of attack.
He expected that she would cringe.
but there was that lntimidatlng ex-
preston to her eye which be did not
like. and she seemed so utterly I'M
afraid OF him, so different from what
she always had beer heretofore.
This enraged him and be glowered
at Der. but he was a coward, and he
saw the glitter Of steel In her white
hand.
She approached him. and be stepped
back uncertainly-he did not knowl
what q coward you arel You can
bully a defenseless woman. but when
the odds are about rel for me you
back up-lly uvered. Even some brutes
are fearlessT'
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 s~ardonically and asked
him quite easily to be seated. She
said that there were still some matters
TO be settled.
He sat down reluctantly. as though
compelled, and replied grufy:
"Hurry up about It, will your"
do you intend to leave me penni.
less1 l suppose the law allows you
70 keep what ! have given you New
ertheless ! want II back"
81 haven't got the money with me.
but I'll make arrangements in the
morning to have some funds paid over
to you. l intended to do II anyway,
but 1t must be a bargain that you
will not interfere with my plans. When
l get away you car whistle all you
want"
II won't move my hand TO bother
your plans. I want all Of that money
before you leave this room"
II haven't got II, ! told you"
BE shrugged and turned to go.
"You forget" she remarked casually,
how on my fathers ranch I used to
show that l could shoot-a hitler
Could be 40 foolish as to fear anything
now2 You shall not leave the room!
I 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 the
portieres.
he was impelled to spring upon her,
but he knew full well how quick and
alert she was and that her nonchal.
ance was only assumed
He realized that she was desperate
and 2 fearless. intrepid woman. he
gagged her slyly as she leaned against
the portieres. head bowed, looking at
the tiny watch in her hand.
he moved. She did not notice. he
half rose. yet seeming to sit: yawned
He gained confidence; took out his
handkerchief.
He suddenly took the step, and-her
arm was raised before he had left
his chairi
He groaned as though wounded.
sprang aside. stumbled and fell.
The lid OF the watch snapped ON
lnously. She placed the watch In her
belt, stepped between the pOrtieres,
her right hand In the folds Of her
dress, and threw herself into a pro
fesslOnal pose.
He had risen, his face blanched with
physical fear.
She leaned slightly forward he
shrieked:
Don't don't MabelF'
Zone. two"
Here" he gasped. and tossed at her
q large pOcketbOOk which he had
drawn from his breast pocket
She rested on knee on the floor and
with her FREQ hand examined the con.
tents.
There we're many bills. She counted
them.
Il want the rest OF r."
There Ia no more"
She laughed stridently.
@Its true. Everything has gone to the
dogs; you have what was saved from
the wreck"
Take on your coat" abe con-
manded.
He did 20.
"Your waistcoaE"
He hestitAted-then spoke
'.rhere's no use making a fool Of
yourself, Mabel A man can't carry a
bunch OF valuables In his VestI'
Take Il oR-quick~