The Washington times., 1916-02-28
TWELFTH INSTALLMENT
Like a Rat In a Trap.

self was confronted by n problem quite
MS disheartening and far more perilous.
Mary had told her Of "smillne Sam"
Eagan's presence IN .he Travis horse.
and June realized all II might mean
10 her. The man. hidden In the attic
storeroom. held her fato. her liberty.
In the hollow OF his grimy hand.
He had seen tho Red Circle on her
hand. He was crafty enough TO know
how fearful a hold over the girl this
secret gave him.
June could bear the suspense no
longer. Impulslvely she got to her feet
and crossed the room toward the hall
door.
where are you going. dearle." asked
Mary. In sudden anxiety.
'Im going to see him." replied June.
81 must
mo! MOI" walled the nurse.
There Is danger--ho-rible danger.
But I'm not going to skulk before II.
I'm going to see him and find out the
very worst"
June had taken off her hat. and as
she spoke she was stripping the gloves
from her hands. The left glove came
of first. Then. as the right glove was
half removed, its wearer noted the
puIslng Red Circle on her hand. In
stinctlvely she drew the glove over 1t.
Meantime Mary had flung herself be-
tween June and the door. exclaiming
in horror:
"oh, my dear. my dear! You mustn't!
He-he might kill you"
XIII me?" echoed June bitterly. ~
almost wish he would! 1t would be the
easiest solution of the whole wretched
Ill llIf N N
a wise man would light a fire With
million dollar bills. Dead, I'd be of
no use to him. Alive, I'm a fortune
to him. And he knows it,"
But. precious"
The Red circle is throbbing on my
hand, this minute" interrupted June.
grimly., "See It. And yet 1 have no
craving for mischief or crime. II must
be a new manifestation of Jim Borden's
wolf nature-the trait that made him
want to face his enemies instead OF
Sinking away from them. Let me CO."
She shook off the old woman's APP
pealing grasp and pushed Mary gently
to one side, leaving the way open to
the door
ar you're going there" declared the
valiant nurse, giving up the unequal
battle, "then I'm going too. I'll keep
him from harming my baby II anyone
cam"
June scarce heard her. Already the
that led to the attic. Mary scurried
along at her heels.
Together they reached the doorway
leading to the attic stairs. June hung
open the door, and the two climbed
the narrow and dusty stairway. first
carefully closing the door behind them
to prevent sound of the coming inter-
view from reaching the ears of anyone
below stairs.
June a step ahead, they emerged into
tho gloomy attic room, with Its dimly
seen piles of trunks and packing boxes
and outworn furniture.
Mary paused staring timoropsly
around the dismal and cluttered room.
There was no sign there of the man
they sought. June drew sigh or re-
lief that merged presently into a
sharply nervous intake of breath, as
something moved in the shadows OF
the attic's far corner.
From an impromptu couch of patched
quits and moth-eaten pillows. between
came into view. sam. in his comfort
able hiding place, had heard the steps
on the stairs, and he had peeped out
to see who the intrUders might be.
At sight of June and Mary he grinned
pleasantly. got up, stretched himself
and slouched forward to meet them.
Well, we'll" he rumbled, in mock
cordially. 1T seems like this is my
Easan. ladies'. ia "a spruced up a
bit u I'd known was goin' to have
"Ughh' shuddercd Mary, in sharp re-
pulsion as she watched his greasy
Same to you. old dame. and many
of EN- answered Sam. land while
we're on the subject OF victuals-"
Il didn't say one word about Wet
uals!" snapped Mary.
Nor grunted Sam. well. I'm
goin'' to. That smack you struggled
up here to me awhile ago may be.
enough to I'LL up a s'ciety girl or a
canary, but II wasn't hardly more'n
OF the meal up here as quick as you
can. I'm ,gettin' hungry again. And
when I'm hungry I want to eat. That's
what get hungry for And. while
. you're about II. just catch me pint
at the same time. That's the French
for booze. Get me?"
Scuse me. miss" he broke off,
turning to June. II was so busy givin'
orders to my, dopy, old housekeeper
Sit down. won't you? I'm sorry the
place Is so dusty and cockroachy It's
all old Mary's fault. II 1t want that
she's been in our family for more'n
She's an old doodlewit She don't
iced me enough, nor"
You miserable" sputtered Mary,
In fury, but June cut her short.
SAM said the girl facing the
grinning fugitive. i've come here 10
have you help me-"
Help your" repeated Eagan, pug
Yes, by leaving here"
Oh l see. Nothin doing, sweetie
Please" implored June. again
checking Mary's wrathful effort to in
terrupt. Please gol Please don't en-
danger me by staying here. At any
moment my mother may find you're
hidden In our house. Yama or one az
the other servants may tell her,
That's IN to YOU" phIlos, nhIco,Iv
answered sam. That's YOUR share Of
the game, Miss Travis. / cart snesI
out for everything"
Il did all | could for you when Won
came out OF prison. pennlloss ana an
outcast." went on June ignoring his
nipnancy. II gave you help. l gave
- money l found work 6or Won.
tried t. make M to you for what YOU
had suffered and to Tut you on your
feet again. / didn't ask any reward.
nor even your gratitude But now
thar I'm In such dire peril. Won't Won
please help me by going away and
saving mo from the danger of you-
presence here? Every m mute Won Ftay
m this hoon5e IL q menace to ne. Oh.
"Gn9" bn enid ,ro,,n,o,,ta tf,..i,. -,