The Elk Mountain pilot. [volume] (Irwin, (Ruby Camp), Gunnison County, Colo.) 1880-19??, 1919-09-04
CHAPTER kun.
Some Plain Speaking

CHAPTER XIII.
Some Plain Speaking.
took three steps toward her and
stood still. For this was JacQueline,
but 1t was not my JacQueline. It
might have been Jacqueline's grand
mother when she was q girl-this
naughty belle with her high waist and
side curls and her hounced skirt and
aspect Of cold recognition.
She did not stir a. I approached her
but stood still. framed In the doorway,
looking at me a. though were an
unwelcome stranger. Ny outstretched
arms fell to my sides.
"Jacquelinei" I cried. ut IL !. Paul
You know me, Jacqueliner'
JacQueline inclined her head. ~Oh.
yes; know you. monsieur" she an
swered. "Why have you come hersr'
ITO save you. JacQuslinei"
She made me q mocking courtesy.
II am Infinitely obliged to you. mon
sieur. for your good wiIl." she said ;
but I do not need your aid. am
with friends now. Nm. PAulf'
do you want to see me, JacQue-
liner I asked. watching her through
q whiriing fog.
mo, monsieur" she answered chill
insiy. "No. monsisufl''
do you wish me 10 COR
she said nothing. and I WALKED un-
steadily toward the door. She fol-
lowed me slowly. I went out Of the
room and pulled the door to behind
me. I knew that after II had closed
I should never 80 Jacquelins again.
she opsoed Il and stood Contrasting
me, and then burst into q food Of i'm
FASHIONED speech.
'why have you followed ne here
to persecuts msr' she cried. Are
you under the illusion that I am help
lessf Do you think the friends who
rescued mo from you have forgotten
that you EXIST You took advantage
Of my helplessness. I do not want to
see yvu. I hate your
you told me that you loved me.
and I believed you. Jacqueline." I an
swersd miserably. watching the color
flame into her lovely face. And
could zee she remembered that.
when I was Ill you used me for
your base schemes" she went on with
cutting emphasis. "And you-you fol-
lowed me here. Have you not had
money enoughf Do You want more7"
I seized her BY the wrists. Thus /
held her at arms length. and my IN
gers frightened until I saw the flesh
grow white beneath them. The inten-
.s<- - rnv r~oa ha>x have Io-n and
made 1t a puny thing.
"Jacquelinel Only a few nights ago
you said you loved me that you would
never send me away until I wished to
20. What Is It that has happened to
change you 20. Jacquelinew
I had her in my arms. She strug-
gled nercely and let her 60.
"How dare you, monsieurT' she
painted. "Go at once, or I shall call
for adj
So went into the passage. But be-
for reached the end Of the little hall
Jacqueline came running back to me.
''Nonsieuri" she gasped. m. Paul
For the sake of-of what I once
thought you. do not want you to be
seen. You are in dreadful danger.
Come backr'
"No, Nine. d'Epernay." answered.
and she WINGED again, ~ though had
struck her across the face.
'For my sake" she pleaded, catch
Ing at my arm. and at that moment
heard q door slam underneath and
heavy footsteps begin slowly to ascend
the stairs.
"No. madame" answered, trying
to release my arm from her clasp.
'"Then for the sake of-our love.
Paulr she gasped.
suffered her to lead me back into
the room. Az she drew me back and
closed the door behind rs I heard the
footsteps pause and turn along the
corridor.
knew that heavy gait as well a.
though 1 already saw Leroux's hard
face before my eyes.
The room was completely dark. /
heard Leroux tramp in and his voice
with the click-click Of the
ball in the rouette wheel.
"who il heref" he demanded.
II am" answered Jacqueline.
.Maudit l" he burst out explosively.
sWhere IL d'Epernayi I am tired of
waiting for himI"
Il have told you many times that
I d not know" answered JacQueline.
~How lang will yo1 kssp Up this
peseenas, uadamer cried Leroux a.