The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-03-23

i
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! 1t 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. 1t was her right
hand at which he was staring with
such dumb fxedness. 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 it was too
strong.
Slowly, Lamar raised his head. And
now, at last, their eyes met.
"The-the Red Circle!" he croaked.
"You?"
She strove to speak. But her parched
lips refused their duty.
You'll" he lgasped, hoarsely. You!
"A thief? And you've played with
me-tricked me-used me as cats
paw"
mol" she walled. mo! Oh, you
don't understand! IL can't explain
i didn't mean toll couldn't help
it. / couldn't. Oh, Max, for Gods sake,
don't look at me like that! l 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 me-" he ragged. You
betrayed my trust!"
No! MOI" she wept convulsively.
"Oh, Max! I'm not what you think |
am! Or, if l am, it isn't because
want to be. God knows how I've fought
against it. 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 go, fearing to
stay.
Peering cautiously around the edge
of the arch the old woman saw the
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 June's
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 I love you, dear.
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 |
we'll 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-?"
Eyes" he made answer, very simply.
will you marry me?'
She swayed toward him, her tear
stained face glorifed by the love that
shone from it. But before his arms
could close around her, she started
back, pulling her hand away from him.
mo, DEAR" she said. mo. It can't
be. L"
you don't love me?"
Love your" she breathed why,
Max, didn't think there was anything
on earth so strong as this love of mine
for you. l do love you. You know
do. | love you too much to be your
wife. l can't 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 it alone" she answered
with sad firmness. And now I want to
go, please; while l am still strong
enough to help you save yourself. Go,
1ear.'
mol" he denied, doggedly.
BEST go, Mr.. Lamar" advised Mary,
gliding forward into the room and Slip
ping her arm around June's heaving 1
shoulders. BEST go now. She is right.
She knows. And, anyway, you'll gain
nothing by staying. Give her time to 1
;hink."
Max looked from one woman to the
'ther in puzzled irresolution. Then 7
Il will co." he said, briefly, but ,
I'm coming back. And I'm going to l
Keep on coming back until 1 get the
answer | want =
Smiling Sam" Eagan opened one r
| y