Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-02-20

GtrOyed your reputation But kept
silence, advanced your interests.
held you tenderiy In my heart Won
an. you have bewitched me. I want
you"
Hanka understood at least his last
words and she understood his tone
She crept closer and through the crack
of the sitting room door saw Kaxia
elude QuinbyH outstretched arms
At the same rncment she heard q
hating step on the stairway She
opened the outer door and went out
to meet Mark Truitt, whispering ex-
citedly to him I'm Polish When he.
astonished by her appearance and
emotion, would have spoken. she
clapped a hand over his mouth. and
clutching him by q sleeve, drew him
into the hall She pointed through the
crack.
Again Quinby reached toward Kazia
and again she recoiled-
'rDon't-don't touch me-"
why do you rebuff me? You're not
an ignorant child. You must have
known what my interest in the hos
pital and In you this year has meant
You wouldn't have taken my help un-
less you were willing to give me what
I want"
What is ft-what In 1t you want?"
st want you to be to me what You
have been to Truitt-"
And if-if I refusef"
II have never yet told that caught
Truitt and sun-browned woman alone
In an Ottawa hotel under circum-
stances-I have no reason to love him.
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 chair, COW
ering her face with her hands. When
she looked up, she wore again the
strange rapt expression.
you said" she whispered chok-
ingly, you said-you would pay"
yes, yes!" he cried eagerly
you are trying to rob Mark Truitt
Ito force him out OF the company.
VIII 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"
'It Is for you to make conditions
An! my dear
In triumph Quinby stepped toward
her and bent over to take her hand.
Don't do thati" 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 stupefed Quinby. who seemed
ia
even when Marks hand 1eaped 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
hoarse gurgle resulted.
Kazia came to herself. She sprang
to her feet and caught Marks arm,
breaking his grip.
Don't hurt him. He's not 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
Mark whirled upon him once more.
Stop"
Quinby stopped This" he said
weakly, lis a trap"
set by yourself" Mark turned to
Kazia with helpless mirthless laugh
What is my cue? Shall I kick him
down stairs-or spring his dirty trap?'
- eAs answered list
lessly.
Mark shook his head. Not without
paying. He said," grimly, "he was
willing to pay
I'm not afraid OF you." Quinby NUT
tered feeble defiance. What car
you say of me that isn't true OF your
'Ahi" Mark drew a sharp whistline
breath Quinby shrang back, his hands
going protectively to his aching throat
Now you shall pay. You" He broke
on with a gesture of disgust 81 find
I've no stomach for blackmail JUS
now. I'll telephone Henley to come
over He'll know how to handle thi.
situation"
| Then Quinby was indeed fear-struck
He clutched Marks arm tightly. Don
| tell hint" he Quavered. 1--WE can set
! tie this ourselves. I didn't really In
tend to force you out of the company
only to-to frighten you little"
Mark jerked his arm free. so you r,
q coward as well as fraudl But
| knew that before. This is too sick
ening. You'd better co.
Quinby started again to go.
4 "Waftt"
Quinhy waited
You seem to be afraid of Henley
You have reason Tomorrow at ten
thirty you have an engagement to NEE