The Benson signal., 1917-08-04
CHAPTER VII.
The Gambling Room.

u
They confronted each other blankly.
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
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, fred 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 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 meanw 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.
II have not" she replied with resent
ment. "Let me pass"
| 81 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 we'll where I am going," she
retorted with heat.
'Then you know" he returned stead
lily, "that you've no business to enter
such place."
His opposition seemed only to anger
her. II know where I have business.
I need no admonitions from you as to
what places 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. eyes," she answered
looking up unflinchingly.
!. Her resolute eyes supported her de-
f1ant 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.
"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.
If you don't stand aside I'll call for
help"
"Nan!" De Spain spoke her name
suddenly and threateningly. His words
fell fast, and he checked her for an
instant with his vehemence. "We met
in the gap week ago. I said I was
telling you the exact truth. Did I
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"
"Yes, you do know"
what you say or do"
II told you the truth then, and am
telling it now. I will never see you
enter gambling room as long as I
can prevent it.. 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 going?"
Nan turned on him, her eyes blaz-
ing through her tears, with a single,
scornful, furious word: "Nol" She
quickened her step from him in such
confusion that she ran into two men
just reaching the top of the stairs.
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 her
urgent way, and quick in lifting his
hat. She faiEly raced down the flight
OF steps, leaving Lefever looking after
SV1
De Spain: "Now, who the deuce was
that?"
De Spain ignored his question by
asking another: "Did you find himY
Lefever shook his head. "Not a trace