The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-03

Diana answered slowly: He is
Donald Smead, my brother. | am
the daughter of Michael Smead."
CHAPTER XVII.
Crawford laughed, toppled into
a chair, and bent his aching head
to his knees. The daughter of Mi
chael Smead!
That morning he had discover
ed loose plank in the side Of
the cistern; and all day he had
tugged and twisted and pulled
and kicked before the plank gave
outward.
Followed stumbling, stagger-
ing journey in the dark. He had
come six miles-to find this man
was her brother and that she was
the daughter of Michael Smead!
"Di, I'll be on my way"
With Crawford at liberty, he
sensed the danger in which his
father and companion stood. He
must at least give them warning.
do you mean It all, DOM"
From thebotto m of my soul,
girl. South America. Would you
wish me good luck?"
Yes, yes. Good luck" She
stretched out her hand.
He clasped it, stopped ard
lightly kissed her hair. then Of
fered his hand to the other wom-
an.
Not yet." said Frances, shrink
ing back.
Donald smiled. 81 do not blame
you, Frances. But you will wish
me well?"
God speed you and God guard
you, Donald"
No sooner was he gone than the
woman who had denied his hand
flew wildly to the door - and
stopped before her hand touched
the knob.
mo, no. frances" cried Di-
ana. HE must have something
to fight for-to win back. He
knows"
Diana looked at the bowed
man in the chair. The knowledge
that she was the daughter of the
notorious Smead had crushed
him.
"Mr. Crawford"
He raised his head.
Are you ill?"
II don't know. I'm afraid to
move; l shall fall. Nothing but
bread and water; mighty weak. "
Diana touched the bell. Some
cold chicken, a glass of milk,
some port wine"
He slipped the wine, and short
ly the glow of it permeated his
veins.
He set the glass under the
chair and smiled. Diana was not
expecting that smile, for 1t was
warm and friendly and conf
dent.
You were to call me Gran" he
said.
Gran. l am sorry"
sorry Tor what? Who was
that young woman"
my brothers wife"
"You are not married."
mo"
you told me you were"
mo, Gran; | told you | could
not marry any man-any man |
might wish to marry. Can -
Michael Smead's daughter - a
notorious gambler, a man with
out feeling or kindness or truth
or honor-my father"
He got up and steadied him
self by holding on to the chair
II did not stop at the hotel.
had to come straight to you.
must look pretty we'll banged up.
Will you marry me, Diana?"
mo" - quietly. "Smead's
daughter cannot marry a man of
your station"
IL only he knew how desper-
ately she was fighting! She want
ed him-wanted his head on her
VI Cdots CtOoG " lIcT HtdIt
wanted to run her fingers
through his tous,cd hair-wanted
him!
Come; supposing I took you
at your word and married you.
Could you introduce me to your
friends?"
I'm heavens name, why not?"
His hand slipped from the chair
and he crossed the room INSTEAD
lily. Look at me--in the eyes,
Diana, and tell me you will not
marry me-"
81 will not marry you, Gran.
He CROPPED mentally. Why was
he so dull of wit? Suddenly he
smiled again.
'Now, look up again and tell
me you do not love me. II you
can do that, why, I'll go away
and bother you no more"
81 can say It," she evaded; but
her resolution was growing weak
er as proportionately his grew
stronger.
Repeat after met do not
love you"
She was silent.
a.. x.-..~ a.