Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1916-12-15


lovingly, at the frightful scarlet stain.
The Red Circle was on June Travis
hand. She was the mysterious woman
the woman in black-the yelled
woman-the Red Circle lady-the In
heritor of Jim Borden's crime-curse!
She-June Travis! It could not be.
Yeti was!
June had listened spellbound to his
ardent love-avowal.
But she found he was no longer
looking at her face. II was her right
hand at which he was staring with
such dumb fixedness. Her own gaze
dreamy with unspoken love-fol-
lowed the direction of his.
She looked down at her hand that
his cold fingers still grasped. And she
saw the Red Circle.
With wordless cry she shrank back
and tried with all her might to snatch
away the discriminating hand from his
clasp. But his grip on 1t was too
strong.
Slowly, Lamar raised his head. And
now, at last, their eyes met.
"The-the Red Circle!" he croaked.
Your"
She strove to speak. But her parched
lips refused their duty.
You'll" he gasped, hoarsely. You!
"A thief? And you've played with
me-tricked me-used me as a cats
paw"
mol" she walled. mo! Oh, you
don't understand! IL can't explain
Il didn't mean toll couldn't help
1t. / couldn't. Oh. Max. for Gods sake,
don't look at me like that! / can't
stand it! Don't-Max!"
She was on her knees now, grovel-
ing at his feet pouring out broken en-
treaties, hysterical pleas.
You tricked mel" he ragged. You
betrayed my trust!"
NO! mol" she wept convulsively.
"Oh, Max! I'm not what you think
am! Or, If l am. 1t isn't because
want to be. God knows how I've fought
against 1t. But it's too strong for me.
If l could make you understand"
Her voice was strangled with sobs.
Just outside the arch Of the library
doorway crouched Mary-shuddering
aghast; dreading to CO. fearing to
stay.
Peering cautiously around the edge
Of the arch the old woman saw the
two stricken lovers. She saw Lamar's
white, drawn countenance staring
blankly into nothingness. She saw
the set look on his face soften to utter
wretchedness.
Then, as his eyes fell on Junes
crushed figure, the former love crept
back, unbidden, into the mans visage.
And Mary drew long breath of re-
lief. This man would not betray her
darling's secret.
Inch by inch his hand crept out un-
til it rested on June's.
Don't be unhappy, little GIRL" he
said, very gently. Il am going to
shield you. Because love you, dear.
L"
His voice choked. June's hand stole
into his. At her appealing pressure
he found words again.
Il want you to marry me, my sweet
heart" he went on. Marry me and
well fight this curse together. Side
by side, with our love to help us, we'll
win the victory over it."
Maxi" she cried, a world OF graft.
tude and longing in her sob-shaken
voice. Max! You want me to be your
wife, after-after-?"
YES" he made answer. very simply.
will you marry me%
She swayed toward him, her tear
stained face glorified by the love that
shone from 1t. But before his arms
could close around her, she started
back, pulling her hand away from him.
mo, DEAR" she said. mo. 1t can't
be. L"
You don't love lne?"
Love your" she breathed. why,
Max, didn't think there was anything
on earth so strong as this love of mine
for you. do love you. You know 1
do. l love you too much to be your
wife. l CAM marry you with this
black faint on my life-with this vile
Red Circle burning on my hand"
But June!" he pleaded. I'VE will
fight it together. We"
Il must fight 1t alone" she answered
with sad firmness. And now / want TO
go, please: while | am still strong
enough to help you save yourself. Go,
dear"
mol" he denied. doggedly.
Best go, Mr. Lamar" advised Mary,
gliding forward into the room and slip,
ping her arm around June's heaving
shoulders. Best go now. She Ia right
She knows. Anc. anyway. you'll gain
nothing by staying Give ner time to
think"
Max looked from one woman to the
other in puzzled irresolution. Then
Il will CO." he said, briefly, but
I'm coming BACK. And I'm going to
keep on coming back until get the
answer | want"
%
Smiling Sam" Eagan opened one
eye. Then, very cautiously he opened
the other.
Now, with much difficulty, he began