The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-06-09

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logs Of the wall; endeavoring to gain
some leverage upon the hinges Of the
door, and Juggling once again furious
ly at those wooden stakes protecting
the narrow window. His fingers bled
from the frantic effort to thus loosen
something, to yield him an opportuni-
ty to really exert his strength. These
efforts were utterly useless; there was
not a spot Of weakness to be discov-
cred. If the place had been originally
constructed as prison 1t could not
have been more securely built. Men
tally and physically exhausted, he
flung himself upon the floor. and lay
there, quiyering from head to foot
with nerves completely shattered.
The silence became CHASTITY; any
sound would have been a relief. There
was no one moving about even In that
other room, and the door between fitted
too closely for him to perceive any
CLEAN of light. He listened intentfy.
holding his breath, but hts head sank
back once more in detection. Why IN
Gods name hadn't he fought 1t out
like a man? Why had he ever permit
ted himself to be thus caught like q
trapped rat7 The frenzy of disgust he
felt caused him to sit up and stare
once more at the single star shining
through the window. What was thati
A shadow? Surely ssueeAing out yon-
der moved
Silently, cautiously. he stepped on
the stool, and looked out between the
bars, his heart beating like drum. Al
first he saw nothing, the blood seem
ing to stand still as he gased-then
the fingers of hand grasped one OF
the wooden bars, and face rose
slowly just In front of his own. A
whisper revealed the identity Of his
visitor.
"Senor, come quietly to window; do
not speak loud"
"Pancha, you'll You would talk with
me, then?r
81 must know some thingA senior;
must be sure" she said fierce;y. you
tell me tonight the truth, senior; you
not lie to me-"
"Not single word" he assured hcl
eagerly, his heart beginning to beat
with new hope, his face advanced un'
til only the bars divided them =
trusted YOU"
"You are Senior ShelbyT
"Yes."
"And she, this soman. is you
wife?"
"Yes."
"She is pretty woman, vera pretty
you not married longT
"No, only few days; we had JUS
come to the ranch when she was tan
en- away"
"But, senior, why she go away " SIN
be Just married like you say2 VIII,
she leave you, an run of with Sene
Macklin7 She love heem better thai
your
Love him. She did not run on. III
stole her, he and four Indians. sfts'
leaving me for dead"
"He not tell eet to me like that; N
say she want to marry heem, an no
you. That he took her to save her froz
you: that she would not let heea
leave her. Then you fight, an 50 60
keeled."
Shelby laughed softly.
$50 that was Macklin's story, wa
it7 Well, 1t is not exactly true.
Amt saying she's In love with me, O
nothin' like that, but she sure don
banker none after that chap. I'll tel
yer why he took her-cause she's SO
a bunch O. money comm her way dow
east that Macklin would like to 60
his hands on
"He marry herT
"That's his game, no doubt, II
works. II not, he'll evolve some Other
I don't think he gives cuss how IL
done so he gets it-he and his pra
cious fathev."
She stared at him with lip
parted.
"Nfaybe see Il more clear now,
| she exclaimed. "He not love heE
then; he just want her money. bah
care not how he get that, IL he no
get her. You take her away, Seno
Shelby, where he never see he
again?"
"Of course
"An' you keep her married to your
"T'll do the best I can. What d
| you mean. Panchaf Can you get u
out OF hereY