The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-07-06

hsy-they aes searching the
house." she whispered. hse voics shak-
ing. "anA-aooting IT, Do yos heas
that! They are svsa tearing tAs car
pet fro0 the 6oos. 8oms Of them will
come up here"
7 an afraid se-bat yoa must soe
ioss yosr nerve. We shall have -
aght!"
"Ffghtf yes; but what use!" and
she grasped my arm with both hands-
IL would not be 20 afraid. only for
that man. cannot fall into his power.
! will kill myself FIRST! You do not
know Anss Cowan; but I Do. l would
rather die than have his hands touch
me. ] hate and despise him: he 10 an
incaruats brute -and-and he Is here
after mel"
Hush" :" I urged. holding her tightly.
her slight form trembling. do not let
20 yet: they may not sves come up
the stairs"
But they will" she insisted. Il tell
you ! know the man. Hs-he sWore
he would marry me two years ago: he
told me 20. and laughed at him. He
stopped my father on the road. held .
rifle to his head. and boasted that some
day hs would make me pay his debts.
This 10 no mere incident Of war-it 10
revenge! IL would not bs frightened
but for that-that awful alternative.
Tell me-tell me what to dol"
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 q
the stairs.
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. I
could see the glitter Of . pistol in her
hand. A thought swept through my
brain-so daring. 80 reckless. l 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
one-yet 1t would surely serve to -
lay; 1t would place me in between
her and Anse Cowan She could not
legally marry him. II she were once my
wife! Only the girl whose eyes just
then met mine
II have thought Of one way" I
said eagerly. the words coming forth
almost incoherent. That Is II you will
listen to what l propose. There is
nothing else feasible SO far as can
see. They-they are in the front
rooms now-hear them! We haven't
a moment to lose Will you-will you
consent to marry mel"
She shrank back a step. staring at
me with wide-opened eyes. breathing
heavily.
Marry! marry your" she faltered
wildly. why what can you mean!
i do not understand"
"Of' course not-the conception Is
wild. impractical. perhaps. 1t must
seem SO to you-yet listen. 1t is the
one way left open to save you from
AnSe Cowan You can trust me? You
do trust me. do you not?"
"Ye-es-but-"
This is no time to question. They
are coming here now. those fellows
with Anse Cowan :; their head You
know what for The question is not
do you wish to marry me; but do you
trust me more than you do Anse Cow
an? Listen! it will be form only-l
am not conceited enough t" believe you
desire me for your husband. But you
know who l am; you have confidence
II my honor. He cannot marry you
II you are already my wife"
"He-he could kill you"
Yes. there are enough Of them;
but that might hapren anyway No
doubt 1t would. for otherwise should
fight to the end. do not think being
your husband will add in the least to
l
gally. protect you"
! But how can I? Will it be Legally"
"Noaeen. don't stop to argue, or
doubt" 1 urged. grasping her hand In
eagerness. I'VE haven't time. Listen
to those voices in the hall! OF course
1t will be legal-Nichols is an ordained
minister. and no license is required.
shall never attempt to hold you.
Noreen. and any court will set you
free the moment you tell the story
The one. the only thing. for you to con.
slider now. 10 escape from Anss Cow
! an"
You do this TOTO save met"
To keep you from falling helpless
ly into the clutches Of beast-tell me