Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-05-29
CHAPTER XI.

Coward paused as he entered the
room. He had evidently not expected
to find Eden there, but after a mo-
to his partner.
almost ready, Miss Wardin?" he
asked, cheerily. "Our train goes in"
He took his watch from his pocket
and consulted 1t.
Dawes eyes were fixed on the girl.
He wondered whether, in this testing
moment, she would fight for herself or
lean weakly on him as her protector.
Her answer treasured him.
ut makes no difference when II
It," Her voice trembled nervOusly.
but there was no weakness in 1t. The
money which Dave had given her was
still crumpled I'm her hand. She ad-
vanced to where Coward stood vague
ly trying to ssnse the situation, and
-heltda tire hrs before him. Here Is
your money. Mr.. Coward" she said.
'Why. what does this mean?"
Here is your money. VIII you
take it, please?"
"No, 1 won't take it until you ex-
plain"
She opened her fingers and the bills
fell to the floor. "All right" she said.
Conward's eyes had shifted to Dave.
you are at the bottom of this. Eden"
he said. what does 1t mean?
at means, Coward" Dave an
swered, and there was steel in his
voice-"it means that after all these
years l have discovered what cur
you are-just in time to balk you. at
least in this instance"
Coward flushed, but he maintained
an attitude of composure. you've
been drinking, Dave" he said. 81
meant no harm to Miss Wardin."
Don't make me call you a liar as
well as cur"
The word cut through COnward's
mask of c0mposure. Now by God
won't take that from any mani" he
shouted, and with swing of his arms
threw his coat over his shoulders.
Dave made no motion, and Coward
slowly brought his coat back to posi-
ton.
II was right" said Dave, calmly. 81
knew you wouldn't fight. You think
more of your skin than you do of your
honor. Weii-it's better worth protec-
ton"
IF this girl were not here" Con-
rI
"Oh, will leave" said Miss Wardin,
with alacrity. And l hope he soaks
you WE'LL" she shot back. as the door
closed behind her.
But by this time Coward had as
sumed a superior attitude. Dave"
he said. II won't fight over a quarrel
of this kind. But remember, there are
some things in which no man allows
another to interfere. Least of all such
man as you. There are ways of get
ting back, and I'll get back"
"Why such man as me? | know |
haven't been much of a moraIist in
business matters-Fve been in the
wrong company for that-but ] draw
the line"
ooh, you're fine stuff, all right.
What would your friend Miss Hardy
think if | told her all I know"
You know nothing that could affect
Miss Hardy's opinion"
Its too bad your memory is so
poor" Coward sneered. "Why were
your lights off that night passed your
car? Oh, guess you remember! What
will Miss Hardy think of that?'
For a moment Dave was unable to
follow Conward's thought. Then his
mind reached back to that night he
drove into the country with Bert Nor
rison, when on the brow of hill he
switched off his lights that they might
better adnire the majesty of the
heavens. That Coward should place
an evil Interpretation upon that Incl
dent was thing so monstrous, so al
together beyond argument, that Dave
fell back upon the basic human meth
cd reserved for such occasions. His
fist leaped forward. and Coward
crumpled up before 1t.
Coward lay stunned for few min
utes. then, with returning conscious
ness, he tried to sit up. Dave helped
him to a chair. Blood flowed down his