The Dermott news., 1916-08-17

His mouth open. his eyes glazed with horror, his body frozen into move lessness, the man stared duly. unbe- lovingly, at the frightful scarlet stain.
 The Red Circle was on June Travis hand She was the mysterious woman the woman in black-the yelled woman-the Red Circle lady the in heritor of Jim Bordens erime-curse, She-June Travis! It could not be. Yet-it was!
 June had listened spellbound to his ardent loYe-ayuwaI
 But she found be was no longer looking at her face It was her right hand at which he was staring with such dumb tiXeduess Her own gaze dreamy with uuspoken fol lowed the direction of his
 She looked down at her hand that his cold fingers still grasped. And she saw the Red Circle
 With q wor5less cry she shrank back and tried with all her might to snatch away the discriminating hand from his clasp But his grip on 1t was too strong.
 Slowly, Lamar raised his head And now. at last, their eyes met
 .The-the Red CircIe! he eroaked "You2e
 She stroye to speak But her parchcd lips refused their duty
 You he gasped hoarsely You A-a thief? And you've played with me=trtckgd me-used ne as a cat S pawi"
 4Notg she walled No, oh. you don't understand! I-I can't explain --l didn't mean toll couldn't help it. | couldn't oh. Max for Gods sake don't look at me like taatt cant stand il! non't-Max,'
 She Was en her knees now. groyel ins at his feet, pouring out broken en- treaties. hysterical pleas.
 You trieked mel" he ragged You betrayed ny trust!"
 No, No" she wcrt conyulsivcly oh. Max I'm not what you think am. Or if am, Il isn't because want To be- God knows how I've fought against it. But it's too strong for me If l could make you understand "
 Her voice was strauElea Wjth sobs
 Just outside the arch of the library doorway erouchcd Mary shadderipg aphast dreading to 80. fearing to stay.
 PeerHg cautiously around the edge of the arch the old woman saw the two stricken lovers She saw Lawar's white. drawn counteuauce staring blaukly into uothingness. She saw the set lock on his face sefteu to utter Vretchedness
 Then. aa his eyes fell on June g crushed figure, the former teyo Cropt back. uuhiddcu. into the aau vlsage.
 And Mary drew long breath of re lief Thls man would not betray her darIiuRs secret
 Inch by inch his hand crept cut un- ul 1t rested on Junes
 Don't be unhappy. little girl, he said very gently. T am going to shield you Because love you, dear. I-"
 His voice ohokod. Junes hand stole into his At her appealing pressure he found words again
 T want you to marry me. my sweet heart he went on Marry me and we'll fight this curse together. Side by side with our love 10 help us, we'll win the victory over it."
 Max she cried, a world Of grati- tude and longing in her sob-shaken voice Max. You want He to be your wife. after alter-2a
 Yes. he made answer. very simply win you marry me- She swayed toward him, her tear stained face gIorided by tho love that shoue from it. But before his arms could close around her she started back. pulling her hand away from him. 1 No dear" she said No, It cant be. I-"
 You don't love me-"
 Love you?" she breathed Why. l Max l didn't think there was anything on earth so strong as this love of mine l for you. do love you. You know do I love you too much to be your wife l cant marry you with this 1 black taint on my lfe-with this vile l Red Circle burning on my hand
 But June!" he pleaded. we vii i fight 1t together We"
 T must fight it alone, she answered with sad frmness. And now want to gJ. please; while l am still strong enough to help you save yourself Co Gear"
 'Noi" he denied. doggedly.
 Pest go. Mir. Lamar. advised Mary gliding forward into the room and slip ping her arm around Junes heaving shoulders. Best go now. She is right She knows. And. anyway. you'll gain nothing by staying. Give her time tu ! think"
 Max looked from one woman to the other in puzzled irresolution. Then
 T will go" he said. briefly. but l I'm cntring hack And I'm pninp tC