The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-12-17

fellows seemed to be looting the kitch |
en- and pantry, destroying whatever
they could not use. Suddenly there
arose sound of smashing glass at the
front of the house, and the tinkling of
piano as if some rough hand swept
across the keys. Noreen pressed
closer, lifting her eyes in appeal.
"They-they are searching the
! house." she whispered, her voice shak
ing, "and-looting it. Do you hear
that? They are even tearing the car
pet from the floor. Some of them will
come up here"
i am afraid so-but you must not
lose your nerve. We shall have to
fght!"
Fight? yes; but what use?" and
she grasped my arm with both hands
Il would not be so afraid, only for
that man, cannot fall into his power.
will kill myself first! You do not
know Anse Cowan; but l do. would
rather die than have his hands touch
me. hate and despise him; he is an
incarnate brute-and--and he is here
after mel"
Hush" urged, holding her tightly,
her slight form trembling. DO not let
go yet; they may not even come up
the stairs"
But they will" she insisted. 81 tell
you | know the man. He-he swore
he would marry me two years ago; he
told me So and laughed at him. He
stopped my father on the road, held a
rife to his head, and boosted that some
day he would make me pay his debts.
This is no mere incident of war-it is
revenge! Il would not be frightened
but for that-that awful alternative.
Tell me-tell me what to dol"
She stared pleadingly into my face,
but, reading no answer there to her
wild appeal, sank to her knees, and
buried her face in her hands. All that
: was strong about the girl seemed
swept away by sudden uncomfortable
terror-by dread of Anse Cowan. A
. hoarse, strange voice roared out an
order, seemingly from the very foot OF
J the stairs.
That's enough of that. Samuels!
Here, take your men up above. Be
7 lively now, and don't let a rat get
J away"
The girl lifted her head; then got tc
her feet, clinging to the bedpost.
could see the glitter of pistol in hel
: hand. A thought swept through my
brain-so daring, so reckless gaspeC
, at the mere witness of the sugges
! ton Yet it might answer; it might
: | aI,o
in her desperation, in the extreme Of
:. her terror, would she grasp at such &
straw? There was nothing else-no
q ! another chance. This might not bt
l one-yet it would surely serve to de
J lay; it would place me in between
her and Anse Cowan. She could no
!. legally marry him, if she were once my
|. wife! Only the girl whose eyes jus
9 then met mine
Il have thought of one way"
. said eagerly. the words coming fortl
almost incoherent. THAT is if you will
listen to what propose. There il
:. nothing else feasible so far as | car
= see. They-they are in the from
rooms now-hear them! We haven
| moment 10 lOS0 w III JOu-Ml1l yOl
consent to marry me?"
She shrank back a step, staring a
me with wide-opened eyes. breathing
. heavily.
Marry! marry your" she faltere'
: wildly. why what can you mean!
~ do not understand"
. "Of course not-the conception
: wild. impractical. perhaps. 1t mus
seem so to you-yet listen. 1t is tn
: one way left open to save you fror
Anse Cowan. You can trust me? Yo
do trust me. do you not?"
"Ye-es-but-"
= This is no time to question. The
are coming here now. those fellow
with Anse Cowan their head 70
know what for. The question is no
do you wish to marry me; but do 20
trust me more than you do Anse Cow
. an? Listen! it will be form only
r am not conceited enough to believe yo
e. desire me for your husband. But 20
Il know who am; you have contidenc
e il my honor. He cannot marry yo
le if you are already my wife"
p "He-he could kill you"
YES. there are enough of them
but that might happen anyway N
lg doubt it would, for otherwise / shoul
r fight to the end. l do not think bein
lie your husband will add in the least
70 my danger-and it will possibly, Il
IS gally, protect you"
is "But how can 1? Will it be legal?"
"Ncreen. don't stop to argue, G
doubt" urged, grasping her hand i
1T eagerness. I'VE haven't time. Liste
e. to those voices IN the hall! OF cours
e. it will be legal-Nscaols is an ordaine
minister. and no licenaa is required.
ly shall never attempt to hold yo'
IT. Noreen, and any court will set 20
re free the moment you tell the stcr.
ut The one, the only thing. for you to col
le slider now. is escape from Anse Gov
as an"
b. 'You do this TOTO save met"
ed ITO keep you from falling helpless
ed ly into the clutches of a beast-tell N