Charlevoix county herald., 1916-12-22

Mr.. Gordon thinks II can" said
June. wondering at her lovers look
of blank despair. "He says since Mr..
Farwell is the only complainant, he"
"Farwell isn't the only complain
ant" corrected Lamar. Il am just
from headquarters. While was there,
two more complainants came forward.
Todd Drew and Grant"
Good Lord!" groaned the lawyer,
sinking into chair. THAT settles 1t.
There's not an atom of hope!"
There is hope!" contradicted La
mar. trying to smile encouragement at
the wretched girl who was looking in
pitiable question from one man to
the other. There Is hope. But only
one hope"
What is it?" asked June, feverish
with anxiety.
Just this" decided Max. "And Cor
don will agree with me. You must
run away"
Run away? But"
'You face absolutely certain con-
viction. Your only chance is to for
felt your bail bond and escape some
where outside the jurisdiction of the
court. Preferably. to Canada"
"You are right" declared Gordon.
TITS the only chance. Start at once;
before"
"She can't do that" negatived La
mar. There's a plain-clothes man
Sam Warren-across the street watch
ing the house. Before you'd gone a
block, he'd"
But you said there was chance!"
walled June, distraught
There is. AS long as Warren's
on the job. the chief won't send any
one else to spy on you. We can't do
anything by daylight. But as soon as
it's dark. I'm going to get rid of War
rem"
"How?" asked June, her eyes alight.
IF can help" added Gordon,
count me in"
"You can help" returned Max, CRATE
fully. you can help lot. You and /
will come back here at eight this eve
ming, Gordon. I'll bring along a rope
and sack. Well walk up behind
Warren as he stands looking at this
house, truss him up, put the sack
over his head, trundle him into the
alley back there, and tie him up to
one of the telegraph poles"
Good! Oh good!" laughed June in
sudden glee.
I'm game" said Gordon, briefly.
Meanwhile, Mary" went on Lamar.
Get Miss Travis things all packed,
and be ready to start off with her. I'll
buy the railroad tickets today. And
I'll have a taxi here to rush you both
to the Union Station, the minute we
get Warren out of the way"
June's depression was gone. Her
eyes sparkled with joyous excitement.
Lamar eyed her in wonder. Then his
gaze fell to her right hand. The Red
Circle was blazing on it like a fiery
meteor.
Max's heart went out to the afflicted
girl, in a great rush of tenderness.
Tonight, at eight, then" he said,
CURLY. Come along, Gordon. We've
lot to arrange"
June's fevered gayety carried her
through the rest of the day, through
the ordeal of hasty packing and other
preparation for her fight.
AS eight o'clock struck, the trunks
and suitcases were at last ready. Mary
and June tensely awaited the coming
of Gordon and Lamar.
I'm going to the front room," said
Mary, "and try to get a glimpse Of
them. do hope they haven't made
botch of tying up that police fellow
out there-the nasty spy!"
June left alone, looked around to
see If anything had been forgotten in
the haste of packing. And, as the
scrutiny ended, she CHANGED to notice
the Red Circle pulsing on her hand.
She gazed at it, in new horror. And,
as she looked, the wild elation began
to ebb from her brain.
HE said," she murmured, half aloud
'He said-my-my father said-I
could wipe out the curse, by will pow
er. He said / could conquer-and
SHALL"
LOu6 big oIOOu tuclc, ucl SyCo hACu
on her hanback,
II can conquer by will power. And,
God helping me, shall!"
Presently, the conflict ceased, as
suddenly as 1t had begun. The beauti-
full face was calm again-deadly pale,
but illumined by a new strength II
had never before known. She looked
at her hand.
The Red Circle had vanished; never
again to return.
Into the apartment burst Lamar and
Gordon, with Mary at their heels.
I'VE got him!" cried Lamar. I'VE
got him, June! We slipped up on him
from behind, just as we'd arranged.
He's tied and gagged; and he's
strapped, hand and foot, to telegraph
pole In the darkest part of the alley.
Are you ready. sweetheart? We've no
time to waste"
Thank you, Max" she said. gently.
Thank you, both, from the bottom of
my heart, for all you've done and all
you've risked for me tonight. But"
g.