The Dolores star., 1924-09-19
ZEN OF THE Y. D.

stepping into the open. Amt you
glad to see me?" =,
The girl sprang TO her feet AND
turned startled eyes toward the road
the only exit from this stone dun
geon.
"Who are you? What do you want
Go away l don't know you at all
The offensive smile broadened.
"That is where have the advantage
of you. Mrs. Transley. have changed
| admit, but you-you are as beautl-
full as ever"
How dare you speak 10 me in such
n way! You have learned my name.
IT is true. but do not know you at all.
Now will you 60, or must l call my
husband to throw you into the riverF
"That would be some shout, seeing
that your husband isn't at home, and
hasn't been for two weeks. You see.
may be stranger, but | know some
things. And even II he was at home,
wouldn't you be more likely to call
DennlsOn Grant,"
The man had gradually advanced,
but still kept himself well between
Zen and her only avenue of escape.
who are your" she demanded
again. "Why do you follow me hereT
AN old friend. Zen; just an old
friend, come to collect an old account.
Pay up quietly and there'l be no
trouble, but raise fuss and I'll throw
you into the river That wouldn't
leave much evidence, would it, It's
wonderful how a person who has been
drowned disappears and is soon for
GOTTEN
Zen's eyes had gone large and her
limbs were shaking. "Drazk y she
exclaimed.
Right enough; your old friend,
George Drazk" He came up close TO
her and extended his hand. "Aln't you
gon' TO shake hands with your old
friend, Zeni" he smirked before her.
"You were no friend OF mine
never" she hared back. while her brain
was hunting wildly for some plan OF
escape. II thought I had killed you.
And was sorry l had done 1t. Now
I'm sorry I didn't"
well. now. Zen, that's too bad.
was willin' TO forgive you. and hopln'
we'd be friends. Don't you think It
would be better to be frlendly-llke
Zen?"
There was menace under his oily
words that grlpped her In terror. She
decided to play for time. Perhaps
Sarah-perhaps Denny If only Den
nisOn Grant would come!
"Sit down, George. and tell me about
It," she said. "I suppose l owe you
an apology. Tell me how you got
away, and where you have been all
this time"
That's better We're goln' to be
good friends, eh, Zen? The best Of
friends, eh. Zen? You and George II
just sit down and talk it over"
She led him to the rock where she
had been seated. and let him sit down
beside her. He seized one of her
hands in his; she would have with.
drawn 1t. but he held it tighter.
NO. we're goln' to be good friends -
he reminded her. THE best Of
friends"
"Yes, but first tell me about your
self. How did you get out of the
river that day."
oh, l drlfted ashore. Can't kill
George Drazk. was pretty full of
water, and lay on the bank for quite
while, but l came around In time.
Then seen what had happened about
the fire. and l reckoned this was n
good time to make my getaway. So I
beat 1t right out O. the country. and
nobody bothered followln'."
Yes. yes, go on" she urged, eager
to keep him absorbed in his story.
THAT was very clever of you. And
then what did you do-after you got
out of the country?"
Got n job. No trouble for George
Drazk to get job. Then when the
war came l tried to get on, but some
how they wouldn't have me. Said I'd
be more useful at home. So | STAYED
on and had some pretty good Jobs and
some pretty nice girls, Zen, but
never got you quite out O my head
and Kept sayin' to myself. Some.
time I'll go back and make 1t up with
Len.' And here am. Amt you glad
Zsn7"
1es-in n way l am" Ooh. will
NOBODY ever comeD "Rut-how did
you hnd me2 You know I've been
married since them"
(TO BE CONTINITED,