The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-02-25

| arose SOUND OF smashing glass at tn
front of the house, and the tinkling o
a piano as if some rough hand swep
across the keys. Noreen presset
closer, lifting her eyes in appeal.
"They-they are searching tn,
house" she whispered. her voice shak
ing, "and-looting it. Do you hea
that? They are even tearing the car
pet from the floor. Some of them will
come up here"
II am afraid so-but you must no
fght!"
Fight? yes; but what use?" ant
she grasped my arm with both hands
| Il would not be so afraid, only fol
that man. cannot fall into his power
| will kill myself first! You do not
know Anse Cowan; but l do. l would
rather die than have his hands touch
me. l 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 l 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
rifle 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! II would not be frightened
but for that-that awful alternative
Tell me-tell me what to do"
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.
could see the glitter of pistol in her
hand. A thought swept through my
brain--so daring, SO reckless. | gasped
at the mere wildness of the sugges-
ton. Yet it might answer; 1t might
succeed! But would she consent; even
in her desperation, in the extreme of
her terror, would she grasp at such a
straw? There was nothing else-not |
another chance This might not be |
it would surely serve to de- |
ay; it would place me in between
Ter and Anse Cowan. She could not |
egally marry him, if she were once my
wife! Only the girl whose eyes just
hen met mine
II have thought of one way" I
aid eagerly the words coming forth
lmost incoherent. THAT is if you will
listen to what l propose. There is
otbing else feasible SO far as | can
ee. They-they are in the front
ooms now-hear them We haven't
moment to lose Will you-will you
onsent to marry me?"
She shrank back a step, staring at
le with wide-opened eyes. breathing
cavity.
Marry! marry your" she faltered
Idly. why what can you mean!
Il do not understand"
"Of course not-the conception is
lid. impractical, perhaps. 1t must
Gem so to you-yet listen. 1t is the
ne way left open to save you from
nse Cowan. You can trust me? You '
} trust me, do you not?"
Ye-es-but-"
This is no time to question. They
e coming here now, those fellows
18th Anse Cowau a their head You
low what for. The question is not
, you wish to marry me; but do you
ust me more than you do Anse Cow
/? Listen! it will be a form only Il
D not conceited enough to believe you s.
sire me for your husband But you s.
low who am; you have confidence II
my honor. He cannot marry you N
you are already my wife" d
"He-he could kill you"
Yes, there are enough of them; al
t that might happen anyway No 81
ubt il would, for otherwise should "
hit to the end / do not think being
UT husband will add in the least to re
: danger-and it will possibly, le- &C
lily. protect you" ~
But how can I? Will it be legal?" 81
'Noreen, don't stop to argue, or
lbt." urged, grasping her hand in la
yerness. I'VE haven't time. Listen all
those voices in the hall! OF course
will be legal--Nichols is an ordained 20
Mister, and no license is required. ca
III never attempt to hold you.
reen. and any court will set you no
e the moment you tell the story. tn,
e one. the only thing, for you to con- me
or now. is escape from Anse Cow far
. of
You do this Toto save mel! sill
To keep you from falling helpless me
INTO the clutches of q beast-tell me thi