The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-02-26

he asked, In the same threatening
tone he had used without.
"Of course I do; didn't l help put
her thereY II was Carver who re-
piled, standing in the open doorway.
"Then bring the hussy in here.
will make the wench talk If I
have to choke it out Of her; she'll
learn what 1t means to be a niger"
l had but a moment in which to
observe the man, for almost immedi-
ately Carver flung the door of the
room open and Kirby swung impa-
tiently about to face the entrance. Ex-
cept for a possibility Of thus attract
ing the attention of the newcomer 1
was in no special danger Of being de-
tected by those within. Carver thrust
her forward but remained himself
blocking the doorway. l use the word
thrust, for I noted the grip Of his hand
on her arm, yet in truth she instantly
stepped forward herself, her bearing
in no way devoid of pride and dignity,
her head held erect, her eyes fearless
ly seeking the face of Kirby. Their
glances met, and she advanced to the
table, the light of the swinging lamp
full upon her. The impression she
made is with me yet. Hers was a
refined, patrician face, crowned by a
wealth Of dark hair Indignant eyes
Of hazel brown, shadOwed by long
lashes, frightened a face whltened by
intense emotion and brought into
agreeable contrast flushed cheeks and
red, scOrnful lips. A dimpled chin,
round, full throat and the figure OF
young womanhood, slender and yet
softly curved, altogether formed Il pic.
ture so enhancing as to never again
desert my Imagination. With one
bound my heart went out to her in
sympathy, in admiration, in full and
complete surrender. Before l could
change posture, almost before l could
draw fresh breath, her voice. trem-
bling slightly with an emotion she
was unable wholly to suppress, yet
sounding clear as q bell, addressed
the man confronting her.
MAY l ask, sir, what this outrage
means? l presume you are respon.
sible for the insolence Of this fellow
who brought me here|
Kirby laughed but not altogether at
ease.
"Wel, not altogether" he answered,
"as his methods are entirely his own
merely told him to go after you"
For what purposes"
$50 pretty a girl should not ask
that. Carver, close the door and wait
outside"
I could mark the quick rise and fall
Of her bosom and the look of fear she
was unable to disguise. Yet not a
limb moved as the door closed, nor did
the glance Of those brown eyes waver
"You are not the same man I met
before" she began doubtlngly. "He
said he was connected with the sher-
IFS office. Who are your"
my name IS Kirby; the sheriff is
here under my orders"
"Kirby !-the-the gambler2"
"Well, play cards occasionally, and
you have probably heard of me be-
fore. Even If you never had until to-
night 1t is pretty safe to bet that you
do now"
81 know" she admitted, that you
won thlS property at cards and have
now come to take possession. Is that
what you meanY
THAT, at least, is part of It," and
he took step toward her, his thin
lips twisted into n smile. "But not all.
Perhaps Donaldson failed to tell you
the rest and left me to break the
news. Well, It won't hurt me any.
Not only this plantation is mine, but
every niger on 1t as well. You are
Rene BeauCaireW
yes" she replied, slowly, almost
under her breath, and hesitating ever
so slightly 81 am Rene Beaucaire"
"And you don't know what that
means, l suppose?" he insisted saw
agely, angered by her coolness. "Per-
haps the sheriff did not explain this.
Do you know who and what you areT
She rested one hand on the table in
support, and l could note the nervous
trembling Of the fingers, yet her low
voice remained strangely firm.