The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-05-17

again. l know how to defend myself
from a drunken man."
He could not restrain all the bitter
ness he felt. "That man." he said de-
liberately. sis more dangerous sober
than drunk"
when I can't defend myself, my
uncle will defend me-"
ASK him to let me help"
HE doesn't need any help. And he
would never ask you, if he did. l can't
live at home and know you; that is
why ask you not TO come again."
He was silent. Don't you think,
all things considered''- hesitated,
as if not knowing how easiest to put
it-''you ought to be willing to shake
hands and say good-by?"
"Why, if you wish it," he answered,
taken aback. And he added more qui-
city, Yes, if you say So"
Il mean for good"
4" he returned, pausing, don't"
You are not willing to be fair
81 want to be fair-I don't want to
promise more than human nature will
stand for-and then break my word"
Il am not asking a whole lot"
Not a whole lot to you, 1 know.
But do you really mean that you don't
want me ever to speak to you again?"
IF you must put it that way-yes."
"WeH"-he took long breath
there is one way to make sure of that.
I'll tell you honestly don't want to
stand in the way of such a wish, if
it's really yours. AS you have said. it
isn't fair, perhaps, for me to go against
it. Got your pistol with you. Nan?"
mo"
THAT is the way you take care of
yourself, is it?"
I'm not afraid of you"
you ought to be ashamed of your
self not to be. And you don't even
know whom you'll meet before you can
lock the front door again. You prom
Used me never to 90 out without it.
Promise me that once more, will your
She did as he asked her. Nov, give
me your hand, please ne went on.
Take hold of this"
what is it2"
THE butt of my revolver. Don't be
afraid" She heard the slight click of
the hammer with a thrill of strange ap-
prehension. What are you doing?"
she demanded hurriedly.
Put your finger on the trigger-sO.
It is cooked. Now pull"
She caught her breath. what do
you meant"
He was holding the gun in his two
hands, his fingers overlapping hers, the
muzzle at the breast of his jacket.
Pull" he repeated, that's ali you
have TO do; I'm steadying it"
She snatched back her hand. what |
do you mean?" she cried. For me to
kill you? Shamer
You are too excited-all 1 asked |
you was to take the trouble to crook |
your finger-and I'll never speak to !
you again-you'l have your wish for
ever"
"Shame!"
"Why shame?" he retorted. Il mean
what say. If you meant what you
said, why don't you put it out of my
power ever to speak TO you? Do you
want me to pull the trigger?"
81 told you once I'm not an assas-
sin-how dare you ask me to do such
a thiug?" she cried furiOusly.
Call Y ur uncle" he suggested
DOLLY. "You may hold this meantime
so you'll know he's in no danger. Take
ny gun and call your uncle"
"Shame on you"
Call Gale-call any man in the gap
they'll jump at the chance"
You are a cold-blOOded, brutal
yretch-Tm sorry ever helped you
IN sorry l ever let you help me-Tm
orry ever saw you! ~
She sprang away before he could
nterpose a word. He stood stunned
" the suddenness of her Outburst, try
ng to listen and to breathe at the
anne time. He heard the front door
lose. and stood waiting. But no fur
her sound from the house greeted his
ars.
"And l thought" he muttered to ,
imself. that might calm her down
tile. I'm certainly in wrong, now" ]