The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-08-22

ously In the face. conscious of the
struggle to remove the older woman
Don't try to remain, Mrs. Meager.'
room. / can take care of myself"
"But-but. dearie, what is it they
want to do with you?"
Deborah laughed bitterly, so des-
perate by then as to be reckless.
Marry me to this drunken brute,
of yours. There is nothing you can do
to help me; so go on back to your
room-please go!"
Sanchez, grinning still, as though he
enjoyed the task, forced the helpless
woman down the hall. He showed her
locked the door. Deborah heard the
fall on the floor within, but her eyes
were upon the threatening face of Bob
Meage,
"Weil?" she said sharply. you seem
to have won the first round?"
you bet | have. There want no
need breaking in, while there was an
easier way. So you amt going to
make no row?'
Il have not said what mean TO do"
AN / don't give a d-n," roughly
"Only I'd like to know whether you're
going along by yourself, or whether
we got to drag you? It's one OF the
other of them two things"
"Along wherey
ITO the living-room, of course.
That's where | aim to have the cere-
mony pulled off,"
The girl thought quickly. Resist
ance there and then was absolutely
useless. Both men were armed. and
one of them. at least, was crazy drunk
1t would be better to appear to yield,
70 seem reconciled TO the inevitable
She was weaponless, unable to put up
any defense; perhaps in the larger
room some better opportunity for ac-
ton might present itself If she lulled
their suspicious, led them to believe
that she was conquered, she might be
able TO snatch a revolver from some
holster. or even evade them and rush
back to the safety of her own room.
1t was a grim, CHASTITY chance, but
she could think of none better
Il prefer going there by myself"
she said, wondering at the steadiness
Of her voice. watchful of the express
sion on Meager's leering face moi
don't touch me; don't dare to touch
me-
The fellow laughed, but there was a
snarl in his tone.
"All right; so the cat has still got 1
claws. has she? Well. I guess I can
wait putting hands on you; it won't |
along. Sanchez"
In spite of her trembling limbs the |
girl walked firmly, never so much as
turning her head to glance at the two
behind her. She must act her part. |
play her character. permit them to
hink her Indifferent to results, yet IN
10 way afraid. Without a question
The opened the door herself at the end
# the narrow hall, and stepped into
he room beyond There were two
men in the room. the short. thick Mex
can called Arvan sprawling on a
ettee, and the judge, sunk into the
aSy chair where old Tom Meager had
at for so many years. calmly smok-
ne pipe. At their entrance the fell
DIV got upon his feet and bowed. the
ipe still in his hand. Deborah
3oked anXiously about for the other
he Frisco kid"-hut he was not in
he room. Then. ignoring the hand
Iarrity held out. her eyes fastened
pom the face before her She never
efore had seen a countenance more
apulsive or so deeply marked by dis
pation. and her heart seemed to
hoke her tefore the sudden stare of
lose pig eyes and the bestial grin of
lie thick lips.
"fou-yOu are the justice from No J
lles?" she asked doubtfully.
That's what | am: Judge Cornelius ,
arrity, ma'am, at your service" ,
And you were asked to come out :
ere to marry me TO Bob Meager?" 7
Maybe so. if you are the CURL" {
81 am Deborah Meredith. I want ;
appeal TO you, Judge Clarity. as an I
ficer of the law. to refuse TO perform /
is marriage"
Refuse, refuse Bob? Why. it's It
straight enough: I've got the (
.ense here all made out regular with h
ur name on it." h
THAT is just the point. That license e
rs procured without my consent or h
owledge. | repudiate it: l refuse il
assent to it in any way. | have c
yer agreed TO marry Bob Meager. d
] here now under threat and ap- II
al to you for protection II
MY dear young woman" he began Il
arsely, II was told before coming c,
re that you were somewhat tenn $,
and might therefore de- n,
e not TO proceed with the ceremony. fl
'hall not be swayed in any way by h,
n tantrums. My own duty is plain: fiji
, papers are in correct form; Mr. n,
ager assures me that he had your os
lsent. and has acted In accordance or
n your own wishes in the matter. 81
is TOO late at this hour 70 chappp t,-