The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-01-30
q his real character. Nor was she

ehovn her any kindness; h Wa the
only one who haA not WronSod her.
and she was grateful 70 hfm.
Langfofd was standing ever her
again, his breath coming shost a1d
"whsrs did you sec Dakosa!- he
questioned, hosrseiy. "Answsri" he
added, whom she did not speak imms-
ION the river trail"
"Beforo you found Doublerf"
Before, yes-and after. met him
she discerned his motive In asking
these questions. but Il made no dif.
ference to her and she answered
truthfully. She did not intend 70
shield Dakota; the fact that Doublse
had not been killed outright did not
lessen the Gravity OF the o6sose u
before you found Doublsri" Lang
ford's voice came with . vicious
snap. "You met him. coming rom
Doubler's cabin. I supposef"
YES" she answered. wearily. II
met him coming from there. I was
on the trail-going there-and I
hoard the shot. know Dakota KILLED
him."
Lansford made an exclamation Of
well. II isn't 90 bad. AFTER al.
You'll have to DO . witness against
Dakota And very likely Doubler will
dio-probAbiy IA dead b. this time:
will certainly be dead before the La
my DEAR" he added. smiling at Sheila.
1T isn't % bad, after ALL"
Sheila arose,- Her poignant anger
against him was eQualed only by her
disgust. He expected her to bear wit
ness against Dakota; desired her to
participate In his scheme to fAstsn
upon the latter tho entire blame fos
the commission Of q crime In which
he himself was the moving factor.
II shall not bear witness against
him." she told Langford coldly. For
I am going away-back East-to-
morrow. Don't imagine that i have
been In complete ignorance OF what
has been going on: that have bean
unaware, OF the part you nave pl9ysd
In the shooting Of Douhler. I have
had decided TO have Doubisk muir.
dered. and only recently ] learned
that you hired Dakota - kill him.
And this morning, when ] mot Da-
kota on the river trail. he dropped
this from q pocket OF his vest." She
fumbled at her bodice and produced
the signed agreement. holding It out
to him.
AZ she expected, he repudiated It,
though his face paled . little a. he
read It. ..-.
This IL . forgery. my dear" no
said. In the old. smooth. even voice
that she had grown to despise.
NO" she returned calmly. 1T 10
a ~ ~,
. minute ago you practically admitted
1t to DO q true agreement by telling
me that I should have allowed Dou-
bier to die. You are an Gccomplice in
the shooting Of Doubler, and II I am
compelled to testify in Dakota's trial
shall tell everything know"
She watched while he lighted a
match va II to the paper. smiling
a. the Welding flames consumed II. He
Through the gathering darkness of
the interior Of the once she saw .
sneer come into his face.
II shall do all can to assist you To
discontinue the associations which ara
no distasteful to you. You will start
for the East immediately. I pre-
sume'"
afternoon. ! shall have my trunks
SANou O'oA W A>"0osS0 ia Suo IAoTn.
ing"
I'm the mornins?'' said Langford,
puzzled. "why not ride with them,
in the afternoon. in the buckboardY 7"
IT shall ride my pony. The man
can return him" She took a stop
toward the door, but halted before
reaching It. turning to look back at
him.
81 don't think It IL necessary for mo
to say goodby. But you have not
treated mo badly In tbs past. and I
thank you-for that-and wish you
we'll"
"Where are you eoinG?"
Sheila had walked to the door and
stood with one hand on tho latch.
He came and stood beside her, a sup
pressed excitement in his manner. his
eyes cleaning brightly in the dusk
which had suddenly fallen,
1T think I told you that before. Ben
Doubler Is alone, and he needs care.
I am going TO him-to stay with him
until the doctor arrives. He will die
if some one does not take care of
him"
you are determined to continue 10
NEEDLE. are your" no said. his voics
qufvering with anger, his lips working
strangely. II am sick Of your damned
interference. Sick Of II, tell you!"
His voice lowered TO q harsh, throaty
whisper. "You won't leave this once
until tomorrow afternoon! DO you
hear7 What business IL It Of yours Il
Doubler dies?"
sheila did not answer, but pressed
the door latch. His arm suddenly In
terpossd. his fingers closing on hss
arm. gripping II 20 tightly that shs
cried out with pain. Then suddenly
his fingers were boring into her shout
ders; she was twisted. helpless, In
his brutal grasp and iung bodily into
the chair beside the desk. where she
sat. sobl,ing breathlessly.
She did not cry out again. but sal
motionless. her lips quivering. rubbing
her shoulders where his iron finger,
: had sunk into the flesh. her soul fillet
with a revolving horror for his bru
tally. ..t
For q moment there was NO move
nasnt. Then. IN. The ssmi.dasinss.
. -. y ~, ~ - q .-.'.t ~ ii.-t ~,