Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-11-07
R. FLAMINGMN
- JEWEL:Y2
M.>-H ROBERT W CHAMBERS
$1,000 cropGr Il popAH COMPANY
c 1000 GEORGE X DoRAs coMnAfrY

Ii became plan to her that hs
was nearly ready to depart. She
watched him preparing. And now
she could see him plainly. and knew
him to be Quintana and no other.
He had a light basket pack. he
put some articles into 1t, stretched
himself and yawned, pulled on his
hat. hoisted the pack and fastened
it to his back, stood staring at the
fire for a long time; then, with a
sudden upward look at the zenith
where a slight flush stained a cloud,
he picked up his rifle.
At that moment Eve called to
him in a clear and steady voice.
The effect on Quintana was in
slant; he was behind a tree before
her voice ceased.
Halo! Hi! You over there!" she
called again. This is Eve Strayer.
I'm looking for Clinch! He hasn't
been home all night. Have you seen
him ?"
After a moment she saw Quin-
tana's head watching her-not at
the shoulder-height of a man but
close to the ground and just above
the tree roots.
"Hey!" she cried. "What's the
matter with you over there? I'm
asking you who you are and if
you've seen my father?"
After a while she saw Quintana
coming toward her. circling, creep
ing swiftly from tree to tree.
As he fitted through the shadows
the trees between which she was
standing hid her from him a
moment. Instantly she placed her
rifle on the ground and kicked the
pine needles over it.
AS Q|uintana continued his en-
circling maneuVers Eve, apparently
perplexed, walked out into the clear
space, putting the concealed trap
between her and Quintana, who now
came stealthily toward her from the
rear.
1t was evident that he had rec
onnoitered sufficiently to satisfy
himself that the girl was alone and
that no trick, no ambuscade, threat
ened him.
And now, from behind a pine, and
S%tartlingly near her. came Quintana,
moving with confident grace yet
holding his rifle ready for any
emergency,
Ewes Mortified stare was natural;
she had not realized that n man
could wear so evil a smile
Q~uintana stopped short a dozen
PAGES away. The dramatic in him
demanded of the moment its full
value. He swept off his hat with a
flourish, bowed deeply where he
stood.
"Ah." he cried gaily, the happy
encounter, Senorita. God is too
good TO US. And it was but a
moment since my thoughts were of
you! | swear it,"
II was not fear; it was a sort of
slow horror of this man that began
to creep over the girl. She stared
at his brilliant eyes, at his thick
mouth, too red-shuddered slightly.
But the toe of her right foot touch
cd the stock of her rifle under the
pine needles.
She held herself under control.
so it's you. she said ~unsteadily.
I thought Jul people had caught
you"
Q|uintana laughed; Charming
child he said, ''it is l who have
caught your people. And now, my
God!-I catch you. . 1t is YER
funny. Is it not?"
She looked straight into Quin-
tdna s black eyes, Dut the look ne
returned sent the shamed blood
surging into her face.
by God" he said between his
even teeth-'by God!'
Staring at her he slowly olsen
gagged his pack, let it fall behind
him on the pine needles; rested his
rife on it; slipped out of his mack
and laid that across his rifle
always keeping his brilliant eyes on
her.
His lips frightened. the muscles in
his dark face grew tense: his eyes
became a blazing insult.
For an instant he stood there, IN
encumbered, a wiry, graceful shape
in his wooden breeches, leggings,
and gray shirt open at the throat,
Then he took a step toward her.
And the girl watched him, f%ascinat-
ed.
One pace, two, a third, a fourth
the girls involuntary cry echoed
the stumbling crash of the man
thrashing, clawing, scrambling in
the clenched jaws of the bear-trap
amid a whirl of flying pine needles.
He screamed once. tried to rise,
turned blindly to seize the jaws that
clutched him; and suddenly crouch
ed. loose-jointed, cringing like a