Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-11-20

Il wan 20 to be to me what you
have been to Truitt.""
And Tiff l r~efuse?"
II have never yet told that l caught
Truitt and a sun-browned oma alone
in an Ottawa hotel under circum'
stances have no reason to love him.
l have refrained from telling only for
your sake. why do you force me
TO say this? ! have no wish to be
brutal to you. Seeing you has turned my
head. But you will not--surely you
can not refuse"
She dropped back into a chair, COW
ering her face with her hands. When
she looked up, she wore again the
strange rapt expression.
You SAL" she whispered chok.
ingly, you said-you would pay"
Yes, yes!" he cried eagerly.
You are trying to rob Mark Truitt
tx force him out Of the company.
Will you-give that up?" Still IN the
same broken whisper.
Even that. You are worth every
thing"
And will you give me time-to send
him away-and never let him known"
1T is for you to make conditions.
All! my dear"
In triumph Quinby stepped toward
her and benz over t take her hand.
Don't do that" said a voice behind
him.
Quinby whirled. For a long silent
minute the trio faced one another.
Then Mark. white OF face, hands
working convulsively. went slowly to
the stupetied Qulnby, who seemed
turned to stone. He did not resist
even when Marks hand leaped up
and caught him cruelty by the throat.
He was pressed back until his back
met the wall. The grip frightened.
Quinby's face grew purple. He
squirmed and tried to cry out, but only
a hoarse gurgIe resulted.
Kazia came to herself. She sprang
to her feet and caught Marks arm.
breaking his grip. ~
Don't hurt him. He's moi worth
it."
Gently, without taking his eyes from
Quinby, Mark freed his arm from her
clasp. But he did not touch Quinby
again. The first murderous impulse
died. He turned contemptuously away
from him. !,
Quinby, released from the cruel hand
and eyes. started across the room.
Mark whirled upon him once more.
"Stop!"
Quinby stopped. This" he said
weakly, lis a trap"
"Set by yourself" Mark turned to
Kazia with a helpless mirthless laugh.
What is my cue? Shall l kick him
down stairs-or spring his dirty trap7"
Let him co." she answered list
lesely.
Mark shook his head. Not without
paying. He said" grimly. "he was
willing to pay"
I'm not afraid Of you." Quinby NUT
tered a feeble defiance. What can
you say Of me that isn't true Of your"
"Ah!" Mark drew a sharp whistling
breath. Quinby shrank back, his hands
going protectively to his aching throat.
Nov you shall pay. You He broke
on with a gesture Of disgust. II find
I've no stomach for blackmail Just
now. I'll telephone Henley to come
over. He'll know how to handle this
Then Quinby was indeed fear-struck.
He clutched Marks arm tightly. Don't
tell hint" he quavered. I'VE can set
tie this ourselves. / didn't really In
tend to force you out Of. the company,
only too brighten you a little"
Mark jerked his arm free. 80 you're
coward as well az a fraud! But I
knew that before. This 10 too nick
eninE. You'd better 90.
tuinby started again "a 90.
watt"
Ouinby waited.
"You aeem to be afraid Of Henley.
You have reason. Tomorrow 1t ten
thirty you have an engagement to meet
him 1t his omcerI have just made it
for both Of you. At eleven I will meet
him. You know best what Henley In
his present mood win do IL he gets
wind Of your latest adventure in phi
lanthropy. Now 60"
Quinby went. The next morning.
prompt on the hour, he kept his en-
gagement with Henley.
A weakness for epigrams has de-
feated more than one fair project
After = discreet interval-lonE enough,
AZ he thought. for the interment Of
the dead past-1Jeremiah Quinby
sought to revive the palsontoiogical
f ELEaM8 4r.HL-EN -A