The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-07-26

ously in the face, conscious Of IN
struggle to remove the older woman
Don't try 10 remain. Mrs. Aesger.
she said quietly go back TO you
room. can take care Of myself"
"But-but, dearie. what Is II the
want 10 do with your"
Deborah laughed bitterly, so des
perate by then as 10 be reckless.
Marry me 10 this drunken brute,
she explained, this delightful stepsoI
OF yours. There Is nothing you can d.
TO help me: so 20 on back to you
room-Dlease gol'
Sanchez. grinnlng still. as though h
enjoyed the task. forced the helpless
woman down the hall. He showed he
roughly into her room. closed snt
locked the door Deborah heard th'
fall on the floor within. but her eye
were upon the threatening face OF Bol
Meager.
"Well7" she said sharply. you seen
TO have won the first roundr
''YOu bet I have. There wasn't No
need breaking In. while there was ar
easier way. SO you amt going tc
make no rowT'
Il have not said what mean 10 do. y
AN I 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 your It's one or the
other Of them two things"
"AlOng wherer
'"To the liying-room, OF course.
That's where | aim 10 have the cere-
mony pulled on"
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
II would be better TO appear to yield,
TO seem reconclled 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 II 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.
II was grim. CHASTITY chance, but
she could think OF none better.
Il prefer going there by myself"
she said. wondering Mt the steadIness
OF her voice. watchful OF the express
sion on Meager's leerlng face. mol
don't touch me; don't dare TO touch
me-"
The fellow laughed. but there was
snarl In his tone.
"All right; so the cat has still got
claws. has she7 Well. I guess | can
walt putting hands on you; II won't
be for long. Go on ahead, then. Come
along. Sanchez"
In spite OF her trembling limbs the
girl walked firmly. never so much as
her head to glance at the two
behind her. She must act her part.
play her character. permit them TO
ihink her Indifferent to results, vet In
no way afraid. Without a question
he opened the door herself at the end
n the narrow hail. and stepped into
he room beyond. There were two
men In the room. the short. thick Mex
can called Arvan. sprawllng on a
ettee, and the judge. sunk into the |
asy chair. where old Tom Meager had |
ut for so many years. calmly smok-
ng pipe. At their entrance the fell
DIV got upon his feet and bowed. the
ipe still In his hand. Deborah
BOXED anxiously about for the other
he Frisco Kid"-but 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 countenance more
epulsive or so deeply marked by dis
patton, and her heart seemed TO
hoke her before the sudden stare OF
hose pig eyes and the bestial grin OF
he thick lips
"You-you are the justice from No
slesr she asked doubtfully.
That's what | am; Judge Cornelius
arrity. ma'am. az your service"
"And you were asked to come out
ERE to marry me to Bob Meagerr'
Maybe so. II you are the gurI.-
II am Deborah Meredith. want
appeal 10 you. Judge Clarity. as an
fcer OF the law. to refuse to perform
Is marriage"
Refuse | refuse Bob7 why. It's ,
straight enough: I've got the I
'enss here all made out regular with Z
'ur name on H." \
That Is just the point. That license {
~ procured without my consent or h
Iowiedgs repudiats Il: I refuse 4
assent 10 Il In any way. have c
YER agreed 10 marry Bob Meaxer. d
! here now under threat. and I an 4
al 10 you for protection Il
MY dear young woman he began Il
arsely. Il was told before coming G
re thst you were somewhat tenn s.
and might therefore de- n
. not 70 proceed with the ceremonv. Z,
hall not be swayed in any way bv n
n tantrums. NV own duty Il plain a
! papers are In correct form: Mr.. n,
ager assures me that he had your a,
'~enf. and has acted In accordance q,
h your own wishes IN the matter ri
IS too late az this hour 10 chanr, ~