Evening star., 1922-12-24

went out.
| Come in quickly and shut out the
wind while 1 relight the lamp"
without pausing to see whether or
| not she was obeyed. the girl crossed
ing for matches.
Forgan stepped inside. slammed the
| door and dropped the bar across it.
Then hs sprang to her side.
III you're hunting a gun-don't,
that's all" he said.
Hunting a gum she repeated,
auestioningly. II wasn't. was
feeling for matches. and here they
are"
She lighted the lamp and looked
up at tho convict without a sugges-
tion OF fear or aversion.
You are cold and must be hungry,
too" she suggested. Lay of that
wet coat and warm yourself while I
make you coffee and something hot to
eat"
Forgan stepped close to her side.
why don't you scream? he said.
why don't you beg for mercy? Why
don't you try to reach somebody on
that phone? Aren't you afraid? Do
you know who am?"
"Of course / know" she answered.
calm and unflinching. you are the
man they call Tiger Forgan. But 1
am not afraid. Why should / be?"
You are alone here-helpIess, in
my power absolutely. You know who
and what l am. Not afraid? Why
shouldn't you be-"
Because ! know Warden TyrelI."
the girl answered without hesitation
and with the perfect confidence of
absolute belief. III YOU were-were
the sort of man that a girl alone, as
l am. should fear. he wouldn't have
made you a trusty. I believe in War
den Tyrell. I believe in his honor
system for men. and SO. naturally, /
| believe in you. I think I know you
the real you that the warden trust
ed-even better than you do yourself.
And so 1 am not afraid"
Tiger Forgan stared at her in
amazement.
You believe in me because 1 am a
road camp trustyo" he cried, finding
speech at last Don't you know I
they are hunting me day and night
with orders to shoot first and talk
later"
Yes. and I am sorry-very, very
sorry" For the first time the girls
voice faltered. Il don't know why
YOU left the road camp. and it really
doesn't matter anyway. But since
you have left and they are hunting you
with-with orders to kill-she shud-
dered and turned away her head
why. I hope they don't get you.
want to help you. I will if I can,
Mr.. Tiger Forgan," she concluded,
trying to smile.
The convict's chin dropped to his
breast. His revolver fell to the floor
with a thud.
Girl" he cried You say that to
meo''
He covered his face with grimy
hands. The girl looked down on the
! bowed, unkempt head compassion
ately.
Il am going to get you something
to eat now. Then we'll talk" she
said gently. Warm yourself-do-
while 1 make the coffee"
She stirred the fire into a crack
ling blaze and left the room. Forgan
heard her moving about in the
kitchen. He stared into the fire with
mingled hopelessness and hatred
hopelessness for the future. hatred
for the man he had been when he
peered through the cabin windows
and saw the girl
| 4 SOFT voice at his elbow reused
"A him from the bitterest moment of
seven years of bitterness.
Hero are towels and soap and
hot water" 1t said. And I know if
you'll look just once into this
mirror you'll not be angry with me
for bringing them"
Tiger Forgan rose and took the
things she offered. He tried to thank
her. but the words wouldn't come.
Never mind talking now, Mr.. For
gan" the girl said, speaking straight
from a heart that intuitively guessed
his unspoken thoughts. II think I
understand. and l am glad-very glad
you came"
7
ly, reverently, worshipfully, and
turned away with a sob that revealed
the story his lips refused.
When he returned minus some of
the CRIME Of seven soapless days he
found the girl warming mans
smoking jacket before the flre.
Put this on" she said. It's Wal
tors, and will make you more COM
Portable while your own coat is
drying"
The table was laid with a snowy
cloth and silver, and even a vase
containing hardy mountain snow
blossoms. Tho girl seated her guest.
brought in the food, served him and
poured his coffee. Then as he ate
striving In vain 10 subdue his fam
ishing eagerness for food-she sat
; opposite him. filing his plate again
and again as she talked
IT'S time introduced myself" she
said. Il am Miss Thomas-Willa
Thomas. Ny brother and I live here.
We came on account of his health,
and We stay because We have grown
to love these glorious mountains. He
writes little and I paint little.
and we both ride and walk a great
deal. ] am alone tonight because he
drove the wagon into Canyon City for
supplies and was cut Off while there
by the Storm
! Long after the fugitive had finished
eating tho girl chatted on lightly, in
conseQuentially, in an effort to rouse
him from the moody taciturnity of
an inner and crucial conflict. A