The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1916-03-25

Wssi wv ots ut8 UDuy ITOEtu IutO hnOvt
lessness, the man stared duly. unbe.
lovingly, at the ~frightful scarlet stain.
The Red Circle was Oh June Travis
hand. She var tho mysterious woman
the woman In blaok-tho yelled
woman-the Red Circle lady--the In.
heritor OF Jim Borden's crime.curse.
She-June Travis! II 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 ut her hand that
his cold fingers still grasped. And she
saw the Red Circle.
With a wordless cry she shrank back
and tried with all her might to snatch
away the i~ncriminsting 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"
She strove to speak. but her parched
lips refused their duty.
"You!" he gasped, hoarseiy. you!
"A thief? And you've played with
me-tricked me-used mo as q cats
pswl'
moi" she walled. "Nol Oh, you
don't understand! IL can't explain
Il didn't mean to-l--l couldn't help
H. couldn't. Oh. Max. for Gods sake,
don't look at me like that! ! cant
stand II! Dont-Max!"
She was ON her knees now. grovcl
ing at his feet; pouring out broken en-
treaties. historical pleas.
You tricked met" he ragged. You
betrayed my trust"
No! MOI" she wept convulsiveiy
oh. Maxi I'm not what o think I
am Or. II ] am. II isn't because ]
want to be. God knows how I've fought
against II. But It's too strong for me.
IL | 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 &c
stay.
Peering cautiously around tho edge
Of the arch tho old woman saw the
two stricken lovers. She saw Lamar's
white. drawn ~countenanco staring
blankly into n~othingpcss, She saw
the set look on his face soften to utter
Indebtedness.
Then, as his yes fell on June's
crushed figure. the former love crept
back. %unbidden, into the mans yisage.
And Mary drew u Ions breath OF re.
lief. This man would not be,ray her
darling's secret.
Inch by inch his hand crept out UNI
I'll II rested on June's.
Don't be unhappy. little girl" NJ
said. very gently. Il am going 10
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
Wen fight this curse together. Side
By side. with our love to help US. well
win tho victory over It."
Max" she cried. u world OF graft.
tude and longing In her s~ob-shaken
voice. Max: You want me to be your
wife. after-after-?"
Yes" he made answer. very simply.
VIII you marry me?'
She swsyed toward him. her tear.
stained face glorihed by the love that
shone from II. But before his arms
could close around her. she started
back. pulling her hand away from him.
No. dear" she said. mo. Il can't
be. l."
You don't love MOI"
Love you?" she breathed. "why,
Max, ! didn't think there was anything
on earth 40 strong az this love OF mine
for you. ! do love you. You know. !
do. ! love you too much 10 be your
wife. can't marry you with this
black faint on my life-with this vile
htu ,utio ohshihk WI my manu-.
But June!" he pleaded. we will
fight II together, We"
Il must fight II alone" she answered
with sad firmness. And now I want 10
40. please; while I am still strong
enough to help you save yourself. Go.
dear"
MOI" he denied. doggedly.
Best go. Mr.. Lamar" advised Mary.
gliding forward into the ROOF and slip
ping her arm around June's heaving
shoulders. Best so now. She In right.
She knows. And, anyway. your gain
nothing by staying. Give her time TO
think"
Max looked from one woman to the
other In puzzled irresoiution. Then
Il will co. no said. briefly, but
I'm coming back. And I'm going 10
keep on coming back until ! get the
answer ! want"
.far-lG-- .--.e S. -