The Pulaskian., 1921-03-17
CHAPTER xI.
A Shot In the Dark.


 front room. The whole situation hasbad through SheIby's mind-if k1acklin was alone he could handle b,m. vet there was danger that the !rar ,a might shoot, and the report be <rorheard by others. Then, again, he soicht not be alone. It was better to <rapo sure first, and then act. But |bOw? A possibility occurred to fSm- 8t was dark within that second room; ',o could slip back into the corner, and [omain concealed; perhaps the fellow [vonld talk, would reveal his plans; at Aosst once at his ease, be could be saade the victim of surprise. But zrould Olga play the part necessary? nCan you act?" he whispered hastily.
 We must fool that fellow" aHow do you mean? What am I to sdo?"
 nMake him talk. Let him think you |pre all right; above all keep him from suspIcionlng that am either here, or |even alive"
 aBut how can IT" breathlessly, .pwltb the door unbarred, and those ldead men? He will know something .has gone wrong"
 nTell him they fought and killed each other. but that first they un- barred the door. You found them there, and dragged the bodies under the bench. You dared not go away; you were afraid-make up some story. Here he is now!"
 He left her frightened and dismayed |by this sudden emergency, and sprang back into the darkest corner, crouch ing against the log wall. If she would lenly induce Macklin to reveal his plans, gain his confidence. He could see her there in the dim light bending forward and listening, slender girl- ish figure. Then the outer door crashed open, letting in a flood of light from without, and a step sounded heavily lon the floor. The young woman Enlightened up, the clear profile of her face revealed. Somehow Shelby knew she had braced herself for the contest. Macklin must have stopped just within the door, staring about him in uncertainty.
 What the h-l is up here?" he burst forth angrily, confused by the gloom. "Sam, where are you any, WayT
 "Who is Sam?" she asked quietly, and taking a step forward. "Is that the name of the Indian you left on guardY"
 He gazed at her open-mouthed, for the moment too astonished to even find speech.
 What" he stammered finally,
 why, what are you doing out here? Who opened that door? Where is the a-d red snake, anyway"
 T do not know very much more than you do," she replied quietly.
 There was fight out here some time uurlng the night, and the bar across ne door was knocked down."
 "A tghti who were they?"
 A white man, and the guard. They were both killed"
 both-both killed" he seemed un- aDle to grasp the fact. "Who was the white man?D
 T do not know"
 And you did not even run away? Dld not try to escape?"
 Where could I goY" she asked.
 what was there for me to do but walt for you to return?"
 wei, if this don't beat h-lp' he escialmed. "Why I thought you was ailaid of me. You ain't, hey?"
 NO; Fl don't think I am. You @ were not rough with me, and-and you sa,u sa, you would have something inter- sung to tell me when you got back" ., macklin laughed, evidently relievedl sae sa mad spoken as a child might "nose curiosity had been aroused. :, Oh, see, my girl; you've been a,s a,nslng this over, have you, and de- .,aeo .,, might not be quite so bad after .a sn' l thought maybe you'd get over ' ,Au' 'antrum after awhile, fer shucks :. anew that feller Shelby was nothin' " sou' You just married him ter git away rom Ponea-didn't you?" :, les" she admitted, "that was about all"
 ,o, 90, now he's dead he don't cut no lee anymore"
 put are you sure he's dead?" h. SureY sneeringly. q don't know ~ aO~ l could be no surer. turned y0, u cuss over an he was cold then. wa,. vga uon't need worry none about that. ena nau minute till I see who the sas z, wa was what tried to break in here" ,oal aneiDy could hear Macklin cross the tbs ana jerk the blanket from off to uooies. The fellow gave utterance slsha d ail oath of astonishment at the tb,aal NY Godl Did you ever see any two s q llke thatf Locked together like ba a0 s.ags. H-ll Sam was shot, but Was V sSt 0. the white guy even after he .>s ueaQ. nr ss ,,.