The Arvada enterprise., 1920-01-22

stolen winnings. II
| man striking me dumb. This then had
probably been his real purpose from
the start. he had followed Beaueaire
deliberately with this final end in view
of running him. and thus compelling
his daughter to yield herself.
"And you actually mean that you
propose now to force Judge Beau
caire's daughter to marry your"
swell, hardly that, although I shall
use whatever means I possess. l In
tend to win her II I can, fair means, or
foul"
drew 4 deep breath. comprehend
ing now the full iniquity Of his plot.
and bracing myself to fight It.
"And what about the other girl,
Kirbyi for there is another girl"
"Yes." rather indinerently. "there il
another"
"Of course you know who she isf'
"Certainly-a Niger. q white mig
ger: the supposed Legitimate daugh-
ter of Adelbert Beaucalre. and slave
woman. There il no reason why I
should fret about her. IL there1 She
IL my property already BY law" He
laughed again. the same ugly sneering
laugh Of triumph. THAT was why
was 20 particular about the wording Of
that bill Of sale-I would rather have
her than the whole bunch Of Geld
hands"
you believe then the girl has never
been freed-either she. or her
motherr'
"Belisvef know. tell you I never
play any game with my eyes shut"
"And you actually intend toto
hold her a. q SLAYER
swell. I'll look her over FIRST before
I decide-she would be worth q pot
full Of money down the river"
The contemptuous. utterly indlfer.
ent manner In which he voiced his vii
famous purpose, would have craxed
any man. To me this utterance was
the last straw. breaking down every
restraint. and leaving me hot. and
furious with anger. forgot the mus-
sle Of the pistol pressed against my
side. and the menacing threat In
Kirby's low voice. The face Of tho
man was indlstinct. Q mere outline,
but the swift impulse to strike at It
was irresistible. and let him have the
blow straight-arm jab to the Jaw.
Ny ciinched knuckles crunched against
the flesh. and he reeled back, kept
from falling only BY the support Of
the deckhouse. There was no report
Of q weapon. no outcry. yet. before I
could strike again. I was suddenly
grippsd from behind By pair Of arms,
which closed about my throat like q
wise. throttllng me instantly Into silent
helplessness. struggled madly to
break free. straining with all the art
Of Q wrestler. exerting every ounce Of
strength. but the grasp which held me
was unyieiding. rObbing me Of breath.
and defeating every effort to call for
help. Kirby. daxed yet by my sudden
blow. grew eager to take . hand In the
ARRAY. struck me q eowardly blow In
the face. and swung his undlscharged
pistol to level with my eyes.
ID your he CALCULATED. and for
the nrst time his voice really ex-
hiblted temper. "rd kill you with this.
but for the Noise No. BY Godl there
Ia safer way than that to settle with
you. Have you got the skunk. Carver
"You can bet I have. Joe. I kin
choke the life out o him-shall II"
mo: iet up . bIt-just enough % be
can answer me drst I want to nnd
out what all this means. Now look
here. Knox. what 10 all this to you I
Why are 700 butting In on my gamsl
Was Bsaucairs Q frisod Of yoursf"
II can hardly claim that" admit
ted. We nsvse nse undl I came
aboard this steamer. Al I am inter
ested In u justics b otAseA"
TO othersf Oh. I suppose you mean
those girls-you know them them
n have never even SEGA them"
said.
Il see: . self.appointed squire Of
danes: actuated merely by romantic
desire to serve beauty In distreas. Ex'
trsmely Interesting. my dear boy. But
~ here. KNOX," and bis tone changed
to seriousness. "1.et the romance 20
and talk sense . minute. You are mol
going TO get very far fighting me alone
You haven't even got the law with you
Even II ! cheated Beaucaire. which
do not for a moment admit. there Il
no proof. The money II mine, and n
In the lnnd ind the nigErrs. You car
be ugly. Of course. but you cnnno
overturn the facts. Now. you acknowl
edge TINT what has occurred II per
sonally nothing to you; Beaucairc Wal
no special friend. and yoa don't cvcs
know the two girls-all right then
drop the whole matter. ! hold a,
nudss on account Of your striking me
; and am even willing - aharo ~ yitl
yoa to avoid tfoubla.S