The Holly chieftain., 1923-10-18
CHAPTER v
-
The Blow in the Dark.

ne 0Io~ IN inc OaVN.
Deborrh, the revolver held tightly
In her fingers, moved silently back into
the darkest corner of the room. and
crouched there listening. II those men
entered that door she meant to shoot
and shoot to kill. This one deadly
purpose was all she was conscious Of.
or cared for.
Perhaps In some vague way. Meager
may have realized her desperation. He
knew nothing Of her being armed. yet.
even in his drunkenness. had learned
something Of her temper. and hesi-
tated to face her Immediately. Why
should he run the risk? He already
had attained his principal object; they
were married, and he could wait until
her anger subsidized somewhat before
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 let
tomorrow take care of itself.
Some faint conception Of this situa-
ton occurred to her. as she cronched
there In the dark watchfully waiting,
yet remained undisturbed. The ten
sion relaxed, and she felt again her
*omanly 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 1t 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-his utter confidence that she
was 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 an hour make: she was his wife {;
when he was drunk enough, reckless
enough, he would come to claim her.
Well, let him come; she would con-
tinue to wait. and he should have his
welcome. His wife! 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 1t
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-
tured to open the door slight crack
and peep cautiously out into the hall {;
1t was deserted. not e, en- a guard had
been stationed there, bur 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. 1t was babel OF voices at
irst; then someone, began to sing a
ribald song in English, and at the first
line she drew back, shutting out the
hateful sound with feeling of su-
preme disgust.
Trembling from head. to foot, she
crossed to the window and looked out
into the cool mists of the night. No
guard had been posted here either.
Evidently she had been left perfectly
free to 60 or come as she pleased. yet
she fully understood how limited that
freedom was. She might flee from
the house. but that was all; the bor-
ders Of the ranch were still her prison
walls. the efficient guard those sand
deserts stretching in every direction
trackless and impossible on foot. vast,
waterless leagues. where she would
perish miserably. A light still burned
In the bunkhouse, but the building
seemed deserted. Once two men
passed down the hill. leaning heavily
upon each other. staggering and sing
ing, disappearing finally through the
open door. She was still staring after
them. when a sound from behind sud-
denly caused her to face about. A
fumbling hand was lifting the iron
latch; the door was being pressed
open with an effort at silence. Mo-
tionless, breathless with apprehension
the girl watched the entering beam Of
light broaden until Bob Meager stood
swaying in the doorway, clutching at
the knob to steady himself, He did
not see her at first. his bloodshot eyes
blindly searching the apartment; then
he must have perceived her outline
against the window. for he lurched for
ward, giving vent to an exclamation
Of relief.
HI. SO you are here, waiting for
mel D-d II I didn't think maybe
you'd taken chance outside. Too
blame sensible, amt you? thought
likely you'd come to your senses II 1
left you here alone awhile. Going to
ne good to me now, you little cat?
Say! what you got to say for your
aNl( AnYh0NH