The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-05-26

thin-lipped, cIose-mouthed, inexorably
resolved still
Read them" continued Rodney
I'll admit to you that the whole thing
would not be worth the paper it's
written on in court of law. or even
IN newspaper report, but it's con
Vincing to US, and you can make il
convincing TO everybody. You've got
to speak"
DO you think, sir. that there's any
power in your stretched-out arm, or
in your rude voice or in your threat
enlns gesture to make me speak?"
by the Lord" exclaimed Winters,
suddenly whipping out a Colts .45
from the holster at his belt-he was
dressed just as he had been when he
rode away from the ranch--"out West
we've got ways for persuading men to
speak, and this is one of them"
winters was bigger man than Rod
ney. His life had been wild and rough,
and his manner when he wanted was
according. He would fain add physical
compuIsiOn under threat Of death to
Rodney's mental insistence.
And do you think, sir, that I'm
afraid of any lethal weapon you can
produce or even use, any more than l
am of Mr.. Rodney's wOrds?" The old
mans eyes flashed, and his knees
shook, but he had all the spirit of
soldier as he looked into Winters
stern face, full of threat and menace
His thin voice took on a certain quail
lty of courage. 1t even rang q little.
His courage was mainly moral, but
there was some accompanying physical
hardihoOd, that was undOubted. "You
you wish, but you can't make me say
word l don't want to say of my
own free WILL" he cried out at last, his
voice strangely rising.
Gentlemen; gentlemen" said Helen
lllingwOrth, rising and swiftly inter-
posing between the secretary and the
two angry men. She realized that the
affair had gone far enough and that
she must intervene. They had certain
ly failed lanentably, almost ludicrous-
ly. "You are wrong to threaten Mr..
Shurtliff. He is old enough to be the
father Of either of you. Drop your
arm, Mr.. Rodney. Put up that pistol,
Mr.. Winters. Mr.. Shurtliff," said the
girl quickly, "as am in certain sense
your hostess. and as you are in GER
tain sense my guest here, | apologize
to you for the improper and impulsive
conduct of these young men. They
love Bertram Meade dearly, as l do.
Let that be their excuse. Meanwhile,
they will apologize to you here and
now, l am sure"
There was a moment of silence. Rod
ney and Winters stared at each other
and both looked at the girl, confront
ing them so confidently in her superb
and beautiful way. Winters smiled
little shamefacedly as he showed his
gun back into its holster. His had in
deed been the greater offense.
"Mr. Winters, Mr.. Rodney said the
girl insistently.
ooh, l apologize. l suppose it was
wrong to threaten him." said Rodney
Hang it," said Winters, now utterly
forgetful Of conventions, "it wasn't the
thing to do to draw a gun on q little
old man, and I'm sorry did it."
"And now that we've apologized
you'll tell us the truth, won't your
asked Rodney swiftly, with no appre-
cable change of manner.
"Yes, we beg it now, humbly,"
.himed in Winters, with anything but
IN humble air or voice.
II won't have Mr.. Shurtliff even ap-
lealed to now" said Miss Illingworth.
You have threatened him and you
nave apologized. Whether he forgives
,ou or not is for him to decide, but he
;hall not be worried, or questioned, or
nsulted any more"
THANK you, Miss Illingworth. /
,ame for that book on the desk; your
ather wants It," said Shurtlif grimly
lowing slightly to her.
He stepped little tremblingly-the
Gene had been unnerving-past the |
.oung men, picked up the book, bowed |
gain formally and Enthusiastically to
Hiss Illingworth alone, and went out |
# the car. The honOrs of the encoun-
err were certainly his.
"WeH. Miss Illingworth," said Win
ers, II don't know whether you made |
mistake or not. I think could have |
cared it out of him with this little |
'ersuader of mine" He tapped the |
utt of the pistol.
"You couldn't have done it If you |
ad killed him." said the woman, who |
ad read the old secretary correctly. |
He isn't what 1 call a daring man, /
ut he has courage that would take .
i'm to the stake rather than make /
i'm give way, the courage OF endur-
nee rather than of action. When he I
peaks. if he ever does, 1t will be OF !
is own free Will"
cor because you may persuade hlm'
aid Rodney. "By jove, when L thlnk
over, it was the finest thing you ever
i'd"
"Bert Meade's a lucky fellow" said
Winters. you're the kind of a girl
hat ought to marry out West, where
re try to breed men that will match
p"
Helen Ilingworth laughed q little,
Though she felt no inclination TO