The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-01-28

CONTINUED From Yesterday
Xxx
Harold caught the note OF seorn
In virKinias voice. and he had an
instant OF robriety. lie looked at
her with eager eyes The poison
In his veins had enhanced her
beauty 10 him. his eyes iesped
quickly over her slender form. IL
would pay 10 be careful. he thought.
He didn't want 10 lose her now.
But In an instant his reckless mood
returned.
where nyed7 what do you
care. az long as I'm here7 sup
pose Bili has already told you. the
dirty
Don't say it Virginia cautioned
quickly. II wouldn't answer for
the consequences"
But for ali her brave words. ter
ror swept her. she remembered
that Bill was helpless and blind.
BIN has told me nothing. IL
things might make me UNI
happy"
sing another little song about
him. won't your" Harold soorned.
Il haven't heard you talk about
anything else for month. But
wha, do carer" ,IIe tried TO steady
himself. To control hln erring tongue.
'But. yirginia-that's all right. II
he's oie OF your friends. He's good
enough according 10 hiA iights--but
you can't expect much from some
one who's never been outside these
tall woodal No wonder he couldn't
sec joke. or take a drink with n
gentleman. lie hasn't had the
chances. the cnvlronment--that's u.
environment--thst you and | have
had. And speaking Of drinks----"
He went 10 the table again and
poured hia cup half full. Then with
unsteady hand he poured an equal
portion for tho two Indians. They
took their cups with burning eyes
and Harold raised his own drink
aloft.
"a little toaft--anf everybody
stand up.s he cried. We're going
TO drink 20 Virginia. To my future
wife. gsntlemcn--,he lady who's
promised me her hzndi Look at her
there. you brceds--the most beauti'
fui woman that ever came TO the
North Drink her DOWN
Tho burning poison poured into
their throaiH. Virginia glanced
again a, her pistol. but joe stili
stood half Towering " with his arm.
Her face was no longer merely
anxious. All color had swept from
", her eyes were wide and plead
ing. Rut there was no one TO give
aid tonight BlL s,ill sai. helpless
and blind. against the wall
She had not dared 10 resent aloud
the bandyinE Of her name. the IN.
suit Of their searching eyes upon
her beauty. n seemed 10 her that
rho heard half muttcred exciana,
ton from Bill. but his face belied
Il. And In reality the mans thoughts
wrre as busy az never before.
lie opened his eyes. struggling for
vision. But h. could not make out
the forms Of the men At all. excep,
when they crossed In front 81 the
candles. The candies themselves
were mere points Of yellow be
tween his ida. One OF the candles
was sitting juat beside him. on a
shelf. the other was on the table
lie tried 10 locate the position Of all
four Of hi. fcilow-occupants Of the
cahin--Virginia at one end OF the
table. Joe at the other. Pete oppo
site him on the other side Of the
stove. Harold standing in the middle
Of the room. babbling In bis drunk
cuness.
But the first EXPLANATION OF the
drink was dying now, giving way
20 n more dangerous mood. Even
Harold was lees laxative: the tones
OF his voice had harshened. The
two Indians. when they spoke a,
alt. were suriy and threatening.
Tho moments passed. For a