The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-05-02
BY VICTOR ROUSSEAU

i THAI was a good rum" called D.
| Witt. Miss Sheila and have hookes
In fifty pounds on Little Boy"
Wlnton did not answer him. but f1xet
his eyes on SheIlas face. He knew
now that his dreams had been a de
fusion. that the girl was not to blame
that she was 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 hereY he asked.
De Witt, who was half drunk, turned
to him In maudlin remonstrance.
II tell you why she's here" he hic-
cuped. Because she likes me. See
Likes me and don't care about you
eh, Sheila2'
He placed his arm about her, and
the girl, shrinking In his grasp yet did
not seem to resent the familiarity.
'Sheila," said Winton, IF you came
here out of affection for that man,
11Cdftn h1OWo IL lO UublncSo VI lulnt.
I'll go away. But If you came here
because he threatened you by means
of the power he has over you. father,
Heaven help him"
De Witt leaned forward and clutched
the whip. "You go to the devil ~ he
roared.
'Shella. 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 / look as If 1 had been
dragged here against my willY
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
we're beginning to look at the trio Gu
riously. Then the start of a race drew
away their attention, and the course
was a pandemonium 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 fool Of himself
for the third timesthat day; but his
tragedy had turned into a sordid
drama. He felt that he did not want
to see Shella 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
occupants had returned from the race
track
He watched the scene bitterly, the
riotous groups that pervaded the mar
ket square, gathered about the stoeps |
of the hotels and filling every saloon. |
He hated Malopo more bitterly than |
he could have thought possible. Some
how 1t seemed like concrete enemy,
soulless monster that ground men.
body and soul, as 1t had ground Sheila.
And in spite of himself the memory
of the girl came back to him, and with
1t great terror. sense of danger
to her set his feet along the mean
street that led to the sordid brick
houses.
Sheila, alone In Malopo, and De Witt.
hot after his preyl Sheila, helpless
IT was growing dark as suddenly as
darkness falls in the low ATTITUDES.
Winton FASTENED until he saw the
squald court before him, and the pump
In the center. There was light in
the girls room, and the dog-cart was
drawn up at her door-no. not the dog
cart, but a Cape cart, with pair of
horses, such as is used for travelling.
And in 1t sat De Witt, amid a pile Of
small pieces of baggage.
AS winton drew near he saw Sheila
standing in the doorway. She wore
her hat and a travelling cloak. De Witt
bent down and spoke to her; he gave
her his hand. and, hesitantly. the girl
went forward.
Then Winton sprang out OF the shad-
ows between them. And there was no
need to ask any questions.
De Witt leaped to the ground; but
before the men came to the grapple
Sheila had caught with eager hands
at Winton's appraised arm.
stop" she cried. For my sake.
stopl You don't understand. :"
Hell understand soon enoughw
snarled De Witt, beside himself with
rage II won't fight him. You aren't
worth Ii. I've been patient and waited |
TO the limit; now you send the fool
away, or your father can swingl"
"Gol" whispered Sheila, and, releas-
ng Winton, she put her hands to her
head and looked at De Witt in terror.
Where are you taking herT de-
handed Winton.
where l choose" answered De Witt.
You id fighting fool, meddling
IN other peoples business, I'm going to
ell you something now. You've l
crossed my path in every possible way,
md you're going TO hear the truth. ,
Her fathers life is in my hands when 1
ever / choose to give him up TO the
police. He killed a mar That's num- l
Der one. And number two's this. Ever