Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-04-08

the electric globe In front of the "a
trance. II was strange. Mary thougtt
that Gallatin, after what he had said
should greet Ballard so effusiyelyi
stranger yet that IL should be Ballard
who withheld his hand, ignoring that
OF the other man.
II have shaken hands with squaw
men," she heard Fred say. but II was
when they stuck" Then she saw him
pass GallatIn by and enter the hotel.
Gallatin stood uncertainty under the
light for II moment, then he too went
In and almost Immediately emerged
again. hat and coat on, and hurried
away.
For a single instant there came to
Mary Holden the longing that Ballard
would come to her there and tell her
Gallatins tale was a lie. II did not
tarry. Why should Gallatin so libel
another man gratuitously? And how
weak and silly ii would he. with Bal
lard likely TO appear ut any moment!
No. she didn't want him 10 come. She
didn't want 10 see him, ever again. All
she wanted, now. was 10 escape with
ont encountering him. For she had
loved him. She had, She had And
1t was all disgraceful. horrible af-
fair She would get away. now. at
once without going indoors again.
There would be taXis NJ the corner.
But when she had almost gained the
steps ut the front Ballard came out,
lie was strong and sturdy looking
and not too big. Mary stopped short
III her tracks. unintending. and looked
~ him, straigh, in the eyes Ballard
stopped. too. futilely speechless. But
into his eyes there came a look. 80
glowing with candor. 50 full Of the
frank worship that had sent him away
Mary knew. ;" well that 10000 proofs
could not have made her surcr, that
Gallatln had indeed lied.
You didn't marry an Indian girl out
there" she cried. shaking her head
slowly. II was as II She We're talking
TO herself. with nobody about. and
there was a queer little shaky tremhle
in her voice that told ballard what he
would gladly have given all his oil
wells 10 know. No, you didn't marry
4 Squaw!"
No, said Ballard. "GalIatin did"
You see said Ballard aftcrward.
"Gallatin thought was starting. with
some other oil men, for China and
wouldn't be back here for many
months. II was an easy story for him
To tell because he knew II from ex-
pcrIence. lie came TO me broke. out
there. | gave him job with scout
ing party. II happened just as he
told YOU only il was he that tried
10 turn the trick for himself instead
Of for his employer. lie married the
girl, all right. But there wasn't any
oil under her land. after all. A
lator for his carfare and jumped out.
deserving the squaw."
But don't understand even yet,
what made him tell mo that horrid lie.
He didn't know that we-that oh,
You know just what | mean !, I'm just
as sure you never mentioned my name
10 him as ] am that I'm alive"
Success had brought composure 10
Fred Ballard. given him nm air Of quiet
Self-coniidence But he was suddenly
rs disconnected aS a hoy at his first
dancing class "Why. err he STAN
il1sTs,!, "::@; see, ~ "ar got di."h"d
out there one day-rottcn roadS-and
was spilled and Knocked OUT. They
ripped my clothes off. looking for the
damage. There was picture-a snap
shot. Gallatin was along. He must
have seen DO you think-it was TAX
Ing IA liberty
Next TO your heart? All this timer
Fred -