Belt Valley times., 1922-09-21

o then" he roared. ''Your fathers
= murderer. He's been wanted by m
: police these twenty years or NOR
= and he's still wanted. The police don
: forget. knew 1t from the first. II
came to me and asked my help afte
he'd murdered a man In a commo
: brawl. He wanted TO give himself III
| told him not to- got him his 10
at the portage. where he'd be secur,
I've stood by him, been his friend
} protected him. But I'll protect him n
more"
He wheeled upon the factor. "Noy
speak TO her agaInl" he shouted
you're her fatherF There was In
tense mockery in his tone. "Shel
obey you. Ask her If she wants yol
TO swing In the jail-yard at Yorktor
while she's on her honeymoon witt
VIII Carruthersl"
With a whImperlng cry the factor
dropped to his knees and hid his face
In his hands, Molly let the rifle fall
and shrank back against the wall. A
cry broke from her lips.
"It Isn't true, fatherl" she begged,
fixing her eyes In terror upon the fac
tors. "Tell him. 1t isn't true. You
tfidn-t Klit that man WHO msulted my
motherl And. II you did. you did 1t
to protect her. Tell him IFS lleln
The factors whimpering means
were all her answer. They ceased,
and for full minute there was not
the least sound In the room. Slowly
Molly raised her head. and the look
thar had come into her eyes at last
was one that Bowyer had seen In
the eyes of many men and women be-
triumph had come.
unless i marry you, Tom Bowyer,"
said Molly, 'you will betray my father,
who trusted your"
"Ill give him up to justice" Bow
yer shouted. "Tll fight with what
weapons I've got. Wouldn't any man
who was man fight for what he
wanted most Of all in the world7 If
you don't give up, swear he'll hang.
You know what Canadian law is. /
swear to You I'll have him hanged in
Yorkton inside Of six months If you
don't agree to what I'm asking of
you"
"And If / do agree7' asked Molly.
shudderlng.
The sudden glance of hope in the
factors eyes went to her heart. But
Mcdonald, crushed under his servi-
tude, had flicker OF manhood after
all.
Don't do 1t, Molly. lass I" he shout
ed. "Ill hangw He turned TO Bow
yer. "I'll hang" he shouted, and then
his voice broke Into whimper
"Shut up. yod old fooli" said Bow
yer. contemptuously. IF you agree
Molly" he said, "the past Will all be
forgotten. / swear 1t will. love you.
and I'll be true to you. I'll give you
everything you want, and I'll make |
Mcdonald home as long as he lives.
D-n H. You look as IL was asking
something awful OF you What's the
matter with mef Aln't / good enough
for your"
She looked up. to see Bowyers red |
face peering into her own. She shv- |
cred, as If with mortal cold.
"I'll marry YOU" she said.
The slow smile that spread over
Bowyer's face was indescrlbable. He |
turned to Mcdonald. We'll, that's set
tied at last" lie said. rubbing his
hands together In gloating self-Satis-
faction. get to bed, Mcdonald Molly /
and / will sit up while and talk over
the details of our honeymoon trip.
That amt your business. Maybe wen |
do little love-making on the slde
too but not too rough. / guess know
how to handle grill"
He strode toward the door and
opened Ii. The factor stood stock-Stin
for moment Then. at Bowers call.
he stumbled toward it, and Bowyer
led him across the passage into an
other room.
you'll be comfortable In here Nc
Donaldl" Bowyer shouted, slappng
the old man on the back. And don't
you fear for Molly. I'll take mighty
good care OF her"
There followed MS returning foot
steps, and the sharp, sudden cllek-es
a key. Then came a furious rattling
from within. Bowyer turned angrily.
go to bed. you old fool - he
shouted. Didn't | tell you I'd take
care of herr"
The rattling ceased, but Molly heard
the factors feet shufr11ng as he stood
irrasnlntely behind his door, listening
Bowyer came back and slamfned=fbe
door behind him. He put his hand ON
Molly's shoulder.
I'm glad that's all settled at last -
he said. cd, you've led me a chase
Mollyi Hardest I've ever had: bur
knew I'd get you In the end" L
"when do sou wish me to marry
yoa7" asked Molly In whisper.
Bowyer threw back his head ana
laughed. Nov you're talking" he an.
s~ered That's the point was com.
Ing TO. rm a business man. and I'm
used to paying what have to for
what want. Bot I've been thinking
that when two people are agreed 81,