The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-03-06

Thai was a good rum called ID
Witt. Miss Sheila and l have hooked
in fifty pounds on Little Boy"
Winton did not answer him, but fixed
his eyes on Sheila's face. He knew
fusion, that the girl was not to blame
that she was a worthless woman who
had become nothing to him.
He met her look gravely, and then,
through the smiling mask, he seemed
to penetrate to the girls tortured soul,
He read the hopelessness, the shame
beneath her smile.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
De Witt, who was half drunk, turned
to him in maudlin remonstrance.
Il tell you why she's here" he hic-
cuped. Because she likes me. See?
Likes me and don't care about you
eh, Sheila?"
He placed his arm about her, and
the girl, shrinking in his grasp, yet did
not seem to resent the familiarity.
"Sheila,' said Wilton, eff you came
here out of affection for that man,
Heaven knows it's no business of mine.
I'll go away. But if you came here
because he threatened you by means
Of the power he has over your father,
Heaven help himl"
De Witt leaned forward and clutched
the whip. you go to the devil! !" he
roared.
"Sheila, 1 asked you why you are
here" said Winton with patient OBJ
stinacy.
The girl smiled mirthlessly. II am
here with a gentleman, Mr.. Garrett
she answered. surely that is answer
enough. Do 1 look as if 1 had been
dragged here against my will?"
Her lips quivered, but she was COM
posed enough. NO" answered Win
ton. And there was nothing more to
say. A few Of those about the carriage
were beginning to look at the trio GU
rsously. Then the start of a race drew
away their attention, and the curse
was a p~andemonium of yelling spec
tators as the horses ran by.
Winton turned and began to make
his way homeward.. He had been on
the point of making a fool of himself
for the third time that day; but his
tragedy had turned into a sordid
drama. He felt that he did not want
to see Sheila again.
He took a circuitous road back to
Malopo. 1t was nearly sunset when
he arrived. He meant to go to the
claim, but somehow an impulse made
him linger in the town long after the
stream of vehicles with their shouting
had returned from the race
track.
He watched the scene bitterly, the
riotous groups that peryaded the mar
ket square, gathered about the stoeps
of the hotels and filing every saloon.
He hated Malopo more bitterly than
could have thought possible. Some
how it seemed like a concrete enemy,
a soulless monster that ground men,
body and soul, as it had ground Sheila.
And in spite of himself the memory
of the girl came back to him, and with
it a great terror. A sense of danger
to her set his feet along the mean
street that led to the sordid brick
Sheila, alone in Malopo, and De Witt,
not after his preyI Sheila, helpless
1t was growing dark as suddenly as
darkness falls in the low ATTITUDES.
Winton FASTENED until he saw the
squalid court before him, and the pump
n the center. There was a light in
he girls room, and the dog-cart was !
lrawn up at her door-no, not the dog
art, but a Cape cart, with a pair Of 6
lorses, such as Is used for travelling.
And in it sat De Witt, amid a pile Of
mall pieces of baggage.
As Winton drew heal he saw Sheila l
tanding in the doorway. She wore
.er hat and a travelling cloak. De Witt 9
'ent down and spoke to her; he gave S
ler his hand, and, h%esitantly, the girl
vent forward. Il
Then Winton sprang out of the shad- .
WIS between them. And there was no
eed to ask any questions. d
De Witt leaped to the ground; but
efore the men came to the grapple d
bella had caught with eager hands 3
t Winton's appraised arm.
"Stopr" she cried. For my sake, u
You don't understand !" y
Hell understand soon enough" |
narled De Witt, beside himself with o
age. II won't fight him. You aren't II
-orth it. I've been patient and waited .
} the limit; now you send the fool h
way, or your father can swingI" /"
"Go!" whispered Sheila, and, releas- u
lg Winton, she put her hands to her u
and looked at De Witt in terror. l
where are you taking her?' de- F"
landed Winton.
where 1 choose" answered De Witt. II
You id fighting fool, meddling
other peoples business, I'm going to I'll
you something now. You've NJ
'ossed my path in every possible way,
you're going to hear the truth. oil
er fathers life is in my hands when sa
Ter | choose to give him up to the
)lice. He killed a man. That's num- m