Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-04-19

Music mountain again L never llVeu
or did anything worth living for, till
you came to me that day on Music
mountain. It's true l was thinking of
what happened when l spoke-but not
TO remind you you owed anything to
me. You don't; get that out of your
head"
Il do, though"
81 spoke in the way did because
wanted to remind you Of what might
happen some time when I'm not near"
II shant be caught off my guard
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-
libeTately, els more dangerous sober
than drunk"
"When l 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. 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"-she hesitated,
as if not knowing how easiest to put
| it-"you ought to be willing to shake
hands and say Goodbye"
"Why, if you wish it," he answered,
taken aback. And he added more quiz
city, "Yes, if you say So"
II mean for good"
q" 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"
| 81 am not asking whole lot"
'Not q 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."
| "WelP'-he took a long breath;
there is one way to make sure Of that
stand in the way of such q 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?"
| "No."
"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 yOull meet before you can
lock the front door again. You prom
ised me never to go out without it..
Promise me that once more, will your"
She did as he asked her. "Now, give
me your hand, please" he went on.
Take hold of this"
"What is it?"
"The butt of my revolver. Don't be
afraid" She heard the slight click of
the hammer with thrill of strange ap-
prehension. "What are you doing p
she demanded hurriedly.
"Put your finger on the trigger-so.
1t is cooked. Now pull"
She caught her breath. "What do
you meanp
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 all you
have to do; I'm steadying it."
She snatched back her hand. "What
do you mean?" she cried. For me to
kill your ShameW
"You are too exclted-all I asked
you was to take the trouble to crook
your finger-and I'll never speak to
you again-you'll have your wish for.
ever"
"Shame!"
why shame?" he retorted. 81 mean
nat 1 say. If you meant what you
aid, why dent you put it out of my
power ever to speak to you? Do you
want me to pull the trigger"
81 told you once rTn not an assas
sin-how dare you ask me to do such
thing?" she cried furiously.
"Call y-ur uncle" he suggested
coolly. "You may hold this meantime
so you'll know he's in no danger. Take
my gun and call your uncle"
"Shame on your
Call Gale-call any man in the gar
they'll jump at the chance"
"You are a cold-blooded, bruta
wretch-pm sorry ever helped you
I'm sorry ever let you help me-pn
sorry l ever saw your
She sprang away before he coult
interpose a word. He stood stunned
by the suddenness of her outburst, try
ing to listen and to breathe at th'
same time. He heard the front dool
close, and stood waiting. But no fur
Their sound from the house greeted hii
ears.
And / thought" he nuttered Il
himself, shat might caluG her down
lutte. pm certainly IN wrong. now