The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
By Hop

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 inheritor of Jim Bordens crime curse. She-June Travis! It could not be. Yet-it wasi
 June had listened spellbound to his ar dent love avowal.
 But she found he was no longer looking at her face. It was her right hand at which he was staring with such dumb fix edBess Her own gaze-dreamy with un- spoken love-followed 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 Your"
 i She strove to speak But her parched | lips refused their duty. You. he gasped, hoarsely. You! "a thief? And you've played with me tricked me-used me eats paw! "NoH' she walled. No! Oh. you don't | understand! II can't explain-I didn't ] mean toll could help it l couldn't
 
 me like thatl l cant stand it. Don't 1 Maxi,
 l She was on her keens now groveling at his feet; pouring out broken entreaties, hysterical pleas. You tricked mel" he ragged. You be- | trayed my trust,'' | 'Noi No," she wept copiously "Oh, 1 Maxi I'm not what you think I am, Or, l if I am. it isn't because I want to be. ] God knows how I've fought against it. | But it's too strong for me If I could make you understand" l Her voice was strangled with sobs 1 Just outside the arch of the library | doorway crouched Mary-shuddering, aghast; dreading to go, fearing to stay. Peering cautiously around the edge of l the arch the old woman saw the two | stricken lovers. She saw Lamars white drawn countenance staring blankly into nothingness. She saw the set look on his 1 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. l And Mary drew a long breath of re-
 lief. This man would not betray her darl- I ins's secret.
 | Inch by inch his hand crept out until l it rested on June's. l Don't be unhappy little girl" he said very gently. T am going to shield you. 1 Because I love you. dear. T." l His voice checked. June's hand stole
 into his At her appealing pressure he
 found words again. | 'I want you to marry me- my sweet | heart,' he went on. Marry me and we'll 1 fight this curse together. Side by side,
 with our love to help us we'll win the victory over it. | Maxi" she cried, world of gratitude
 and longing in her sob-shaken voice l Max! You want me to be your wife. l after-after-" l Yes he made answer, very simply ] Will you marry me?' | She swayed toward him, her tear-stained 1 face glorified by the love that shone from
 it. But before his arms could close around 1 her. she started back, pulling her hand 1 away from him. | NO. dear,' she said "No. It can't i be- T."
 You don't love me?" | Love you?' she breathed. "Why, Max, l didn't think there was anything on earth 1 so strong as this love of mine for you
 l do love you. You know I do I love you too much to be yur wife. I can't marry you with this black taint on my i life-with this vile Red Circle burning | or my hand.'' ! But June"' he pleaded, i've will fight 1 1t together. We" l T must fight it alone" she answered with sad f1rmness. And now I want to | So, PiCdSo, Wlilic dIQ SuilI strong enough 1 to help you save yourself Go. dear" 1 "No'' he denied, doggedly. Best go. MT Lamar" advised Mary 1 gliding forward into the room and slip
 ping her arm around Junes heavinx
 shoulders. Best go now. She is right
 She knows. And. anyway, you'n gain
 nothing by staying. Give her time to ] tl,irl-"
 ! Max looked from one woman to the
 other in puzzled irresolution. Then | T will go." he said, briefly, but I'm
 coming back. And I'm going to keep on
 coming back until I get the answer I want"
 1 Smiling Sam" Eagan opened one eye 1 Then. very cautiously, he opened the other.
 Now. with much difficulty, he b~-----
 to collect his scattered wits l Continued in tomorrows Age -Herald)