Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-04-06
CHAPTER VII.
The Gambling Room.

shoulders of her khaki Jacket and the
front of her silk blouse showed the
whiting effect of the rain. In one hand
she clutched wet riding gloves. Her
cheeks, either from the cold rain or
mental stress, fairly burned, and her
eyes, which had seemed when he en-
countered her, fired with some resolve,
changed to an expression of dismay.
This was hardly for more than an
instant. Then her lips frightened, her
| eyes dropped, and she took a step to
one side to avoid De Spain and enter
the gambling room. He stepped in
front Of her. She looked up, furious.
what do you mean?' she exclaimed
with Indignation. LET me pass"
The sound of her voice restored his
| selfpOsseSsion. He made no move to
get out of her way, indeed he rather
| pointedly continued to obstruct her.
you've made a mistake, 1 think" he
said evenly.
81 have not" she replied with resent
ment. LET me pass"
II think you have. You don't know
where you are going" he persisted, his
eyes bent uncompromisingly on hers.
She showed increasing irritation at
his attempt to exculpate her. II know
perfectly well where am going" she
retorted with heat.
"Then you know" he returned stead
lily, shat you've no business to enter
such a place"
His opposition seemed only to anger
her. II know where I have business.
need no admonitions from you as to
what places l enter. You are imperti-
nent, insulting. Let me pass!"
His stubborn opposition showed no
signs of weakening before her resolve.
zone question:" he said ignoring her
angry words: "Have you ever been in
these rooms before?"
He thought she quailed the least bit
before his searching look. She even
hesitated as to what to say. But If her
eyes fell momentarily it was only to
collect herself. "Yes," she answered,
looking up unflinchingIy.
Her resolute eyes supported her de-
faint word and openly challenged his
interference, but he met her once more
quietly. II am sorry to hear it," he
rejoined. "But that won't make any
difference. You can't go in tonight"
II will go in," she cried.
mo-" he returned slowly, "you are
not going in-not, at least, while am
here"
They stood immovable. He tried to
reason her out Of her determination.
She resented every word he offered.
you are most insolent," she exclaimed.
"You are interfering in something that
is no concern of yours. You have no
right to act in this outrageous way.
If you don't stand aside I'll call for
help"
Man" De Spain spoke her name
suddenly and threateningly. His words
fell fast, and he checked her for an
instant with his vehemence. 1--WE met
in the gap week ago. l said was
telling you the exact truth. Did
do it?"
II don't care what you said or what
you did"
ANSWER me-" he said sharply; "did
l tell you the truth?'
II don't know or care"
Eyes, you do know"
"What you say or do"
II told you the truth then, and I am
telling 1t now. I will never see you
enter a gambling room as long as ]
can prevent 1t. Call for help If you
like"
She looked at him with amazement
She seemed about to speak-to make
another protest. Instead, she turned
suddenly away. hesitated again, put
both hands to her face, burst into
tears, and hurried toward the stairs
De Spain followed her. LET me take
you to where you are golng?"
Nan turned on him, her eyes blaz
Ing through her tears, with q single
scornful, furious word: mo" She
quickened her step from him in such
confusion that she ran into two mer
| Juot iedSHlilB tic tOp VI lHe Suits
They separated with alacrity, and gave
her passage. One of the men was
Lefever, who, despite his size, was ex
tremely nimble In getting out of hel
urgent way, and quick in lifting his
hat. She fairly raced down the flight
of steps, leaving Lefever looking after
her In establishment. He turned tc
De Spain: snow, who the deuce was
thatp
De Spain ignored his question by
asking another: ibid you find him p
Lefever shook his head. mot trace
| covered Main street. guess Boil
was right. Nobody home here
Henryp
, "Nobody we want"
: Nothing going onT
"Not thing. IL you will wait here
! for Bob, I'll run over to the Office ant
, answer those kilograms"