The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-12-05

NO, MT. Duncan
 Ruth, we're I've come from way over the river, after Iookin' fer you Ter weeks, jest to bring you a little ,resent-an'-''
 IT 'prcate - it's kind of, MT. Duncan-Only-I Oughtn't."
 Ruth there ain't no strings to 1t, ,' Duncan insisted, looking into her yes eading what was in her mind. l jest want you to have it cause l love you. There ain't no strings to love. II ye don't keep it Ruth, T. grind it under my heeI-like ye air grtndIn' my love-
 it hurts me-I- 'prec' ate-onIy-- She hesirateed, a pained look or her face.
 There, MT Duncan, I've put it on, - she held out her hand toward him. It's the most beautiful thing 1 ever seen. See how it sparkles."
 An yell wear it, Ruth?"
 'Yes-yes, MT. Duncan"
 He took a photograph from his pocket and put it in her hand.
 That's 9 pictur' of my mother, it.'
 "Oh, Mir. Duncan. what 8 dear, sweet-face-an pretty"
 The prettiest woman that ever liv- ed. Ruth 'cept one-the ane that stands fore me. You can see fer yerseIf, Ruth, what a fine woman she is. She come of a fine family, as Is teIlin' you.''
 '.IIow young she looks" said Ruth, unh heedingly.
 ''Yes-the pitcher was took when she's a young lady"
 ''Wha-whats the wrttin on we're, EN-arCvr n n ls Porter" she read slowly.
 That was Ter maiden name. Por- -er was a oP sweetheart fore she met pa. She had Ter pick of the young nen-as ye could guess.
 Ruth handed back the picture.
 As he took it, he grasped her arm gently.
 Ruth can't ye love me jest a lit tle?'' he pleaded. Wont ye be my sweetheart and let me learn ye to love me? I'm goin' way soon-I got 70 go back toto Tennessee on biz ness-an' if you'd say you loved me jest a Ettle-an' some time ye'd come 70 me CT I could come back fer you you why-Td go way happy"
 "I-you-can write me, MT. Dun can," Ruth said disarmingly. An I'll wear the ring.
 He rose and slipped his arm about her tenderly.
 Come. Ruth, let's walk to the trees-Pve got so much to say to you fore go-I got a secret to tell you an somethin' to leave in yer keep in'-ye're the only one in all the world I'd trust
 I love ye, Ruth; I love ye-cOme!'
 He sought to lead her away.
 ''I can't leave grandpa-an'."
 Then kiss me, Ruth-jest once jest once, Ruth"
 NO, no. MT Duncan" Ruth cried alarmed. breaking away, retreating in to the room. q can't, MT. Duncan [ don't love you. There's the ring" :" she said, holding 1t towards him. 'If if don't love you it's very wrong to have it.
 Damn it. Ruth, don't want the ring. want you.' He strode into the room, mad with passion. Listen, Ruth, I love ye-Td marry ye--P d give my life fer ye-an' ye won't give me so much as one little kiss! Well, I'll have what I can take-yer goin' with me-Tu take ye to my cave cross the river-.f ye won't be my wife I'll make ye my slave. I've got to have you. Ruth-Td ruther die than not to have vel" He darted toward her, swept her into his arms and kissed
  hair. crushing her to him.
 Ruth screamed, fighting him off.
 | Diamond And a Dandy.
 DUncan's passion flared into grim fury. He cIapped hts hand over her mouth. pushing her to the door. Ruth struggled desperately She freed a hand and struck him a blow in the face. The diamond cut a red ash across his forehead. As Duncan lift ed a hand to wipe the blood from his eyes she tore herself away and dash ed into the other room. She stepped back to the door 4n a minute. gun in her hands, her eyes aflame, her bosom heaving.
 GO MT. Duncanr' she pantad. chrusting the gun into his face. The next instant he was hurled to lhe floor by a blow from Sinners fist
 You low-down skunk" growlad Stimer, his voice husky with rage. Take that-an' that!' He kicked him across the floor and down the steps.
 Duncan struggled to his feet and thrust his hand for his pistol. But Stiuer already covered him with the gun, and his hands dropped to his side.
 "GO." said Stiuer threateningly.
 Duncan turned and walked toward the trees Halfway the distance he stopped haltingIy
 Ruth" he called, with bitter re- proach. some time you'll know T. tried to do the right thing"
 Then he slipped into the shadows.
 'Whatd he mean, Miss Ruth ?" said Sinner, leading her into the protection of the house
 T don't know"
 Who is it?"
 "Biu Duncan"
 Bill Duncan Why. Miss Ruth, ought to rested 'im-there's a re- ward offered-he killed oI man Whaley-''
 'Oh!" gasped Ruth.
 ''What'H do. Miss Ruth-go after 'im?"
 NO, mo-" cried Ruth, stretching her hands toward him. but drawing them quickly back to her bosom. Let i'm gO-'