The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-08-23
CHAPTER v
The Blow in the Dark.

In her fingers, moved silently back int
the darkest corner Of the room. an,
crouched there listening. II those mel
entered that door she meant to shoot
and shoot to XIII. This one dead,
purpose was all she was conscious OF
or cared for.
Perhaps In some vague way, Meage
may have realized her desperation. III,
knew nothing Of her being armed, yet
even In his drunkenness, had learned
something Of her temper. and hest
tated 70 face her Immediately. Why
should he run the rlsk7 He already
had attained his principal object the,
we're married, and he could wait unit
her anger subsidized somewhat befor,
asserting his legal rights. Meanwhile
the boys were waiting for their drinks
and he felt more inclined to celebrate
the victory along with them and lei
tomorrow take care of itself.
Some faint conception OF this situa,
ton occurred to her. as she crouched
there In the dark watchfully waiting,
yet remained undisturbed. The ten.
sion relaxed, and she felt again her
womanly weakness, her questioning
and despair. She laid the revolver be.
side her on the floor and buckled the
belt with Its load OF cartridges about
her waist then picked the weapon up
once again and rested II on her knee.
She was no longer crazed, but able to
think clearly and decide what to at
tempt next.
Meager's action could mean but one
thing-hls utter confidence that she
wa already securely In his power.
She could not escape. she would be
waiting there for him when he was
ready TO possess her. What difference
did IN hour make; she was his wife :
when he was drunk enough. reckless
enough. he would come 10 claim her.
Well. let him come: she would con-
tinue to walt, and he should have his
welcome. His wifel She might be
his widow before dawn.
She did not move for a long, long
time: did not take her eyes from the
closed door. or release her grip on
the revolver. She felt cold, tireless,
actuated only by a relentless hatred.
She wished he would come so that II
might be over with. But nothing hap
pened. and. little by little, her mood
changed. The strain began to tell,
began to break down her resolution,
left her doubtful and afraid. She ven
turcd to open the door a slight crack
and peep cautiously out into the hall;
II was deserted. not even a guard had
been stationed there, but the door at
the farther end. leading into the liv-
ing room, had been left open, and she
could hear the men In there making
merry. II was a babel OF voices at
first; then someone began to sing a
ribaid son. In English. and at the first
line she drew back, shutting out the
sound with a feeling of sa.
preme disgust.
Trembling from head to foot. she
crossed to the window and looked out
the cool mists Of the night. No
guard had been posted here either.
Evidently she had been left perfectly
free to go or come as she pleased, yet
she fully understood how limited that
was. She might fee from
The house. but that was all; the bor- |
ders OF the ranch were still her prison |
wells, the efficient guard those sand
stretching In every direction. |
.Irackless and impossible on foot, vast,
vateIless leagues, where she would |
Perish miserably. A light still burned
the clubhouse, but the building
deserted. Once two men
down the hill, leaning heavily
lpon each other, staggering and sing
nd. disappearing finally through the
pen door. She was still staring after
hem. when q sound from behind sud
l6nIy caused her TO face about. A
tnnbiIng hand was lifting the iron
Rtch: the door was being pressed
nm with an effort at silence. Mo-
Ionless. breathless with apprehension. |
NJ girl watched the entering beam Of |
MT broaden until BIB Meager stood
waving In the doorway. cIutching ut
liz knob to steady himself. He did
zee her at fest. his ~bloodshot eyes
Indy searching the apartment then
! d have perceived her outline
xainst the xipdow. FOR he lurrhed for
mid. gjvirg vent % an exclamation
relief.
,sH-L - you IRE here. Waiting for
III ID X 4 didn't think maybe
LIZA taken 4 chance outside. Too
n,mc sensible, aIn,t your thought
Gely you'd come ii your senses r
N III here alone awhile. Going 20
1=:,:.:s - -
N what ycu cot q say for your