The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-11-13

nghti"
"Fight7 yes; but what user" and
she grasped my arm with both hands.
II would not be 50 afraid. only for
that man. cannot fall into his power.
| Will kill myself first! You do not
know Anse Cowan: but 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
so yet: they may not even come up
the stairs"
But they will" she insisted. Il 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 q
rife TO his head. and boasted that some
day he would make me pay his debts.
This Is no mere incident OF war--it Is
revenge. III would not be frightened
but for that-that awful alternative.
Tell me-tell me what to do,r
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
the stairs.
That's enough OF that. Samuels.
Here. take your men up above. Be
lively now, and don't let rat get
away"
The girl lifted her head; then got to
her feet. clinging to the bedpost. l.
could see the glitter OF pistol In her
hand. A thought swept through my
brain--so daring. so reckless. gasped
at the mere witness OF the sugges-
ton. Yet II might answer; Il might
succeed But would she consent; even
In her desperation, ia the extreme OF
her terror. would she grasp at such q
straw There was nothing else--not
another chance. This might not be
one-yet II would surely serve to de-
lay; II would place me In between
her and Anse Cowan. She could not
legally marry him. II she were once my
wife! Only the girl whose eyes Just
then met mine
II have thought OF one way"
said eagerly, the words coming forth
almost incoherent. THAT 10 IL you will
listen to what ! propose. There 10
nothing else feasible SO far as can
see. They-they are In the front
rooms now--hear them. We haven't
a moment to lose. VIII you-will you
consent to marry met"
She shrank back a step, staring at
me with wide-opened eyes, breathing
heavily.
Marry! marry your" she faltered
wildly. why what can you mean! 1
II do not understand"
cor course not--the conception ia
wild, impractical. perhaps. IL must
seem SO to you--yet listen. II 10 tbs
one way left open to. save you from
Anse Cowan. You can trust me? You
do trust me. do you not?"
"Ye-es-but-"
This is no time to question. They
ire coming here now. those fellows
~ Anse Cowan ri their head You
N rs not
do you wish TO marry me; but do you
trust me more than you do Anse Cow
an? Listen! II will be form only
am not concelted enough to believe you
desire me for your husband. But you
know who / am; you have confidence
in my honor. lie cannot marry you
II you are already my wife"
"He-he could kill you
Yes, there are enough OF them;
but that might happen anyway. No
doubt 1t would. for otherwise ! should
fight to the end. l do not think being
your husband will add In the least to
my danger-and II will possibly, le-
gally. protect you
But how can /? VIII II be legalr'
"Noreen. don't stop to argue. or
doubt" ! urged, grasping her hand In
eagerness. I'VE haven't time. Listen
TO those voices in the hall! OF course
Il will be legal-Nichols is an ordained
minister and no license Is required.
shall never attempt TO hold you.
Noreen. and any court will set you
free the moment you tell the story
| The one. the only thing, for you TO con-
slider now. is escape from Anse Cow
am
you do this TOTO save met"
ITO keep you from falling helpless
ly into the clutches OF beast--tell me
yesl My God girl. there they are now
trying the door Answer-will your
"Yes--yes. Tom Wyatt
With one leap past her ] had Mich
OILS by the collar. the muzzle OF my re-
volver at his head A heavy foot
crashed against the locked door. and a
voice without gave utterance TO an
oath