The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-03-29
CHAPTER VII.
The Gambling Room,

1ney confronted elcn other hl0nkly.
To Mans confusion was added her EN-
barrassment at her personal appear
ance. Her hat was wet. and the limp
shoulders Of her khaki jacket and the
front OF her silk blouse showed the
willing 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 tightened, her
eyes dropped, and she took a step to
one side to avoid De Spain and eIter
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 mistake, 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 I am going" she
retorted with heat.
Then you know" he returned stead
lily, that you've no business to enter
such a place"
His opposition seemed only to anger
her. II know where have business.
l need no admonitlons from you as to
what places / enter. You are imperti-
nent, insulting. Let me passr'
His stubborn opposition showed no
signs of weakening before her resolve.
"One question" he said, ignoring her
angry words: ''Iiave you ever been in
these rooms beforer
lie thought she quailed the least bit
before his searching look. She even
hesitated as to what TO say. But If her
eyes fell momentarily ii was only TO
collect herself. Yes" she answered,
looking up unflnchlngly.
Her resolute eyes supported her de-
fiant word and openly challenged his
interference, but he met her once more
quietly. 81 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.
"No," 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.
IL you don't stand aside I'll call for
help"
"Nanw 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 n Week ago. l said I was
telling you the exact truth. Did !
do TT"
81 don't care what you said or what
you did"
ANSWER me-" he said sharply; did
| tell you the truth?"
II don't know or care"
"Yes, you do know"
"What you say or do"
Il told you the truth then. and I am
telling 1t now. 1 VIII never see you
enter n gambling room as long as ]
can prevent il. Call for help IL you
like"
She looked Mt 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 going?'
Nan turned on him, her eyes blaZ
Ing through her tears, with a single
scornful, furious word: "No" Sh,
quickened her step from him In sucl
confusion that she ran into two mer
just reaching the top of the stairs
They separated with alacrlty, and CAV,
her passage. One of the men was
Leftover, 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 astonishment. He turned &c
De Spain: "Now, who the deuce was
thatT"
De Spain ignored his question by
asking another: "Dd you find him 2,