The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-05-31
CHAPTER xvIIl--oontInued-

ID
'Thcre is not much 20 tell" he went
on, almost jauntily. Il saw exactly
how things were going before we left
the boat. knew Hollis rep itation
ashore, and determined to warn you OF
his purpose, but had no opportunity.
Besides. felt you had so poor an opin-
lon Of me that probably you would not
listen"
you were greatly mistaken. Mr.. Nc
Cann." she snid pleasantly. II would
have gladly received your advice. You
were my fathers friend"
could read the mans surprise in
his face. The graciousness Of her
words was a shock, yet his egotism
made him instantly her victim.
you mean you trusted mel That
you would have listenedT
Most assuredly. How could you
think otherwise7 knew you were not
yourself in the boat, and the treat
ment to which you were subjected was
brutal. owed my life to you equally
with Captain Hollis. and am very
grateful. have never forgotten that
you have been guest In our home,
. business associate Of my fathers.
Wig should not have confidence in
your
/ looked at her In amazement, but
her eyes never met NINE What did
this mean7 Was the girl acting part7
Was she 'endeavoring to deceive him,
or was she speaking now in deadly ear
nest7 Nothing in her manner, or in
the tone Of her voice. gave me clue.
A. for McCann, the very expression of
bis face pictured his delight, his con-
viction of her sincerity. 1t was almost
too good to be true, yet his was not q
nature to doubt his own attractiveness.
T-I-you surprise me-" he stam-
mered. absolutely forgetting my pres
cnce. IL assure you was actuated
by the highest motives In all my eff
forts. My-my duty was to you. and
your father"
He turned and faced me, the bully
in him surging to the surface.
II will converse with Miss CARING
ton alone"
To resist would have been utter fool
lshness. / could see the CLEAN Of the
gun In his hnnd, and realized that
More, there was nothing In the express
sion Of the girls face to inspire me to
resistance. She did not even glance
toward me, or exhibit the slightest In
kerest.
With hands clenched In impotent
rage, not even venturing q reply, /
stepped backward. As crossed the
threshold Mccain closed the door, and
heard the key turn in the lock.
Trembling still with anger. and dazed
by the strange action Of the girl.
sank back upon the stool. realizing my
utter helplessness. All she had done
and said appeared so natural 1t never
really occurred 20 me once that she
might be acting part, seeking In this
way to gain McCann's confidence, in
order to win from him the information
we required. 1t was only as sat there
In silence. brooding over every detail
That this possible conception began to
slowly dawn upon my mind. That she
could trust the man IN any way was
practically impossible. for he had re.
+ vealed to her his true character in SC
many ways the memory could not be
hlotted out.
AS the full knowledge Of this truth
grew apparent, was able to view al
that had occurred later In different
light. She had simply accepted hel
one chance had grasped with womanlJ
Intuition the single weapon left al
her command. Girl as she was II
Tears, her experience in the world had
been that Of woman, and she instinc
lively realized her power-the power
Of wealth. of beauty. and Of youth. Il
had been beautifully done, so deity
accomplished, as to deceive even me
Ayel and the method had succeeded
with Mccain. ] recalled the expires
sion of surprise, Of qualification, o.
awakened pride on the mans face. H'
had no power Of resistance left; ht
was already putty in her hands.
True, but would he remain so7 Thu
game she played was a dangerous one
If she ventured too far she would dis
cover the brute lurking in him gtill
And he had the power. the physica
power. to wreak vengeance once h
suspicioaed deceit. And there was NJ
one to .eip her II she made single
false step-absolutely no one; she wa!
lamb among wolves Those fellow
would never release me again. not FOL
q cioment. / would be compelled II
take observations, to calculate posi-
ton, to trace our sailing course on thu
chnrt, but not for an instant would
be left again unguarded, either OF
Geek or in the cabin. Mccain would
zee to that.
The afternoon passed, dragging 1T
weary hours. Nothing happened to re
lieve the monotony and dres-l of soil
tude. No one approached .he door O.
the staterocm, not even 20 offer mt
food. and my ears weSe able to dis