The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-08-07
Come, are OF going to fork over, or
do you want me to search you for
it? I'll find it quick enough"
XIV.

ening fear, but kept her head cour
ageously UP. She whipped up her pom.
and tried to get away, but the stroni
hand held the bridly and the littl,
beast could only rear, almost THROWN,
her. Moreover. a cleaning pistol shon,
into Jeans terrified eyes. and Scathlil
in gloating voice spoke low:
"Oh, no, my pretty, you don't come
any of your little tricks on me. You've
stole a paper l give you to give tt
your brother. an l mean to have Il
without any further nonsense. Hant
it overt" and he grasped her roughly
by the arm.
Help! Mr.. Holt. .Iasper!" she
creamed.
Something was stuffed into her
mouth and the barrel of the pistol
cleaned between her eye She could
feel tn cold stel against hr flesh. The
earth seemed reeIing beneath her,
n her senses were going from her,
Was there no hope Of help from
anywhere?
Now. my pretty, I'll Just help my
self to that paper" Scathlin's voice
IA malevolent, his ayes cleaning.
Like the cold Shiny length of a serpent
coiling around her soul, the meaning
Of his words slid about her conscious
ness. She felt she was sinking out of
the world Of knowledge into g black
ness where she could not protect her
self.
Then quickly, sharply, a voice
brought her back to consciousness.
Drop hat pistol! Let go Of that
lady! Now, march,"
1t was Hollis voice, low, merciless,
commanding; and a revolver was in
his hand.
Scathlin fell away like water, turn
Ing deadly white and cringing. The
day of his judgment had come swiftly,
and there was no escape. He knew
that look in Hollis BYE. He had sinned
away his last probation. Holt would
never trust him again. There was not
even time to destroy the letter which
he had want to keep and give to Har-
rington as evidence against the girl.
march," said Hollis voice again,
and the revolver came uncomfortably
near to S%cathlin's temple.
Scathlin marched.
go straight to tbs house and wait
there till l come" commanded Holt as
Scathlin backed weakly away. III you
hounds loose after you"
Scathlin turned a shade paler. He
had nc desire to meet the whole pack.
He fastened his footsteps.
Jean sat with wild eyes watching,
her hand upon her heart.
e"You didn't send him for the paper
did you?" she demanded eagerly. II
knew you would never have sent him"
Send for the paper, what paper 5"
asked Holt in wonder. Il never sent
him for anything"
Then how did he know what was
in my letter to you?"
Letter? What letter? I never re-
eeived a letter from you"
Then he must have opened it and
read it. Oh. he will show it to my
brother!"
But HoIts voice rang u clearly be
fore her sentence was fairly finished:
HAT. Scathlin,-
Scafhiia had almost reached the
turning at the edge Of the woods, but
he paused Instantly.
Come back hare
scathiia ca1a -argias and white
with fear. Whso Ms was within ZEN
yards Of the sEo Holt spoke again. |
and ali the tine .ae sinister weapon
kept gEa-a IL his hsr1 aimed a.rassh: j
al Scsthiin-
Give Eng Ely lena.r
H-what AstIg.~ chartered scath-
lin with 90 concealed attempt to use
cunning
Ehs letter 20 uhave in your pocket. |
Take II cut instantly and drop it on |
The ground or / shah fire." said Holt
Ets1zlg.
Well put down that gum" whim-
psrsd Scashlin, fumbling n~ervously in
has inside pocket. you make me
nn1nerTouss"
3 quick Drop that letter." said
Holt Still holding the revolver.
aH- & I
Scsshlin took out the letter and
dropped # on the ground, but his bad
little > cleaned green and yellow
bate al the girl in one look OF wrath
as he turned and stumbled back again.
Holt, still holding the revolver and
watching the retreating man, ad-
vanced and picked up the letter. When
.cathlin was out of sight he read It,
then turned with softened eyes to the
girl who had meantime secured the
paper from its hiding p lace pinned
her blouse. She held it out to
him, her hand still trembling with
the fright she had been through.
Holt took the paper, but gathered
the little hand into his tenderly and
STOPPING, kissed 1t.
ITO think you have been through all
this for me-" There was W In his
voice. ITO think you trusted me In
stead Of pour own people!!"
For an instant they looked into each
others eyes; then Hollis horse,
trained to stand and await his mas
ter'a will, whinnied softly.
-. wE go +. - A MAlh ~