The Washington herald., 1914-04-04

VI.
snri1ce Ridge had predicted he would be-
He dug his spurs into the pony. and
the night wind famed his hot face as
he gaIloped toward the agents shack.
The memory of Pauline had become
blurred and dull as a fitful dream In
the morning. He did not Know wnat
had become of her after she had mar
ried Lon CLANCY. Should ne ever meet
her again, he would haunt the ghost
on a wrecked life and the dust OF an
ambitious dream before her eyes and
laugh at Il ALL And perhaps he would
thank her for having awakened him
from his boyish dreams and saved him
from wasting his life gazing at a mir
age. ,
Al a curve in the path he checked
the pony with a sudden jerk. light
cleaned ahead, and undouoteoy m
the agents shack. Somewhere wlthln
was a chest containing the pay roll
money 1t might be thousands OF dol
lars, but he would get 1t II II contained
only the price of drink. He did not
care for the money: he would scatter
handfuls of gold among the thieVins
band and ride away for another hoVeh-
ture.
He dismounted. tied the pony to a
tree and walked toward the light that
twinkIed between the trees. He smiled
at the thought that he would be an easy
mark for any one waiting within win
a loaded shotgun. He stepped up 10 the
house and looked through the window.
lamp stood on the table and hre
sputtered in the stove, but he saw no
one inside Again he adjusted the mask
over his face and tried the door. IL
was boIted but by showing his weight
against he flung il open and tumbled into
| the room. Not in many months had he
been in a room where the deft touch
Of feminine fingers was seen. But as MS
ewes fitted over the place an inner door
opened, some one stepped into the rooh'
Burr drew his revolver and raised H. out
as he aimed the weapon at the INTRUDER
a sudden numbncss seized his fingers and
his arm fell Imply.
She was a young woman. though her
face showed traces of much weeping ana
suffering Her hair-Burr knew that once
| IL had Elistened and tumbled-was drawn
tightly into a knot at the neck. Her
eyes-once they had been as deep and
mysterious as the starlit night-glowed
DULY like stars fading in the morning.
There was not a quiver OF. fright in her
pale tense face.
What dC you want here" she de-
manded. Once her voice had throbbed
with life and passion: 1t was different
now.
Burr was glad that the mask shielded
his face \ wave OF conflicting emotions
rushed upon him. lie laid the revolver
on the table, and the girl seized il.
IF YOU have come for the money you
might as we'll go back she said calmly
| You'll have TO kill me before you
get it,"
| Burr peered into her eyes. and swell
OF memories surEed within him. warming
depths lorg untouched. They were
memories that were hot and tender and
made his heart leap and opened vistas
to his eyes that had long been blurred,
almost forgotten.
! He wished she would press the trigger
that would be the easiest way out
| Eut she merely looked at him calmly
and without recognition or understanding
in her eyes.
My husband will be back any minute" :"
she told him. 1t wouldn't be safe TO
have him find you here
! The mask about Burr's face smothered
hysteriC laugh.
: There was a creak at the door and a
/ man stole into the room, his eyes gleam-
ing evilly over the rim of the cloth that
covered his face. He recoiled for an in
stant as he saw the man and the woma n
! and then his hand reached for the
holster. In the same instant the girls
revolver blazed and cracked and he tum-
bled to the floor.
As she stopped over him and snatched
the mask from his face a horrified cry
slipped from her lips She retreated a
! few steps and regarded in mute horror
the twisted form on the floor.
My husband" she groaned. but there
was neither regret nor grief TO her voice.
only horror at having ended a life.
| Lon CLANCY" murmured Burr.
She flashed a surprised glance at him.
You knew him." she demanded
She regarded him keenly, but Burr did
not answer He had been determined. IL
he should ever find her again. to show
her how little he had cared. how little
his love had meant TO him. He had in
tended TO laugh in glee on the ashes of
the past. But now the DID passion welled
/ from obscure inches, and heknew il had
meant everything to him.
He avoided her glance and looked at
the body. He understood now. The
woman's face told only too plainly of
tyranny and tears and beatings and shat
tered hopes. Chaney, the wolf. had
meant to steal the money chest from his
own home. leave his wife to shoulder the
blame, and run away from her.
The girls glance was still fixed on his
face. Did you know him?" she demand
ed gain.
Her nearness to him. her pale face.
the look OF sadness in her eyes touched
tender chords within him and filled him
with an eagerness and warmth he had
not experienced for months. She had
changed, but as he looked at her It
seemed the months turned back and
blotted out the past. and that she was
just as he had known her in his days
OF dreaming, hoping and longing. He felt
a wild desire to crush her to him. Slowly
he drew the mask from his face.
The girl stood staring with mute Won
der, and as she stared the years and their
woes receded from her eyes. and in their
stead came the eager bloom of youth and
love