The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-09
CHAPTER XVI. (continued)

word, not to interfere until Henri
has a chance to square himself. l.
think I've earned the right to demand
that much. told you the whole
thing was counter feit-was the work
Of Joe McCaskey. l couldn't believe
Henri was up to such villainy. He's
dissolute. weak, vain-anything you
choose-but he's not voluntarily
criminal. Well. went to work on
him. pretended to-" the Countess
again shivered with disgust. ''Oh.
you saw what ! was doing. ! hated
myself, but there was no choice.
Things came to climax last night.
| don't like to talk about ;t-think
about it--but you're bound to hear.
! consented to 20 out with him. He
dragged me through the dance halls
and the saloons-made me drink
with him. publicly, and with the scum
of the town. Noting the expression
on her hearers face, the Countess
laughed shortly, mirthlessly. Shock
ing, wasn't it! Low, indecent,
wretched?. That's what everybody is
saying. Dawson is hum,ning with it.
God! How he Inundated me! But
loosencd his tongue l got most
Of the details-not all, but enough
1t was late. almost daylight, before
succeeded. He slept all day, stupe-
fed. and SO did !. when I wasn't too
i'll.
He remembered something about
it. he had some shadowy recollection
Of talking too much. When he woke
up he sent for me. Their we had it.
He denied everything. of course.
He lied and he twisted. but I'm the
stronger-always have been. | beat
him down, as usual ! could have
felt sorry for the poor wretch only
for what he had put me through.
He went out not long ago"
"Where to? Tell me"
ITO the Policc-to Colonel Cav
endish. l gave him the chance to
make clean breast Of everything
and save his hide, if possible. Ii
he weakens Ill take the bit in my
teeth
Rouletta stood motionless for a
moment: then in deep emotion she
exclaimed: I'm so glad! And yet
it must have been terrible sacri-
hce think | understand how you,
must loathe yourself. 1t was a very
generous thing to do, however. Not
many women could have risen to it."
"l-hope he doesn't make me tell.
haven't much pride left, but-Id
like to save what remains, for you
can imagine what Cavendish will
think. = A wife betraying her husband
Tor her--for another man! What a
story for those women on the hill y
lmpulsively RoIle:ta bent forward
and kissed the speaker. Colonel
Cavendish will understand. He's a
man of honor. But, after all, when
woman really-cares. there's sat-
isfaction. compensation, in sacrifice,
no matter how great"
,r,lHa Co"-ro~us evas were miStv.
their dark-fringed hos trembIed
YEARLY shut. Yes" she nodded. Il
suppose so. Bitter and sweet |!
When woman of my sort, my age
and experience, lets herself really
care. she tastes both. All l can hope
is that Pierce never learns what he
made me pay for loving him. He
wouldn't UNDERSTANDINGS" She
opened her eyes again and met the
earnest gaze bent upon her. Il dare
say you think feel the same toward
him as you do. that l want him, that
I'm hungry for him. Well, I'm not.
I'm way past that. I've been through
fire, and FIRE purifes. Now run
along. child. I'm sure, everything
will come out right" g.
The earlier snowfall had dimin-
ished when Rouletta stepped out in
to the night. but a custv. boisterous
wind had risen and This filled the
air with binding clouds of fine. hard
particles, whirled up from the streets.
and the girl was forced to wade
through newly formed drifts that
rose over the sidewalks. III places
nearly to her knees. The wind
tapped her garments and cut her
bare cheeks like knife: when she
pushed her way into the Rialto and
stamped the snow from her feet her
face was wet with tears; but they
were frost tears. She dried them
quickly and with a song in her heart
she hurried back to the. lunch
counter and climbed upon her fav-
orite STOOL There it was that Doret
and his two elderly companions
found her.
well, we sprung him." Tom
announced.
'All we done was sign on the dot
ted line," Jerry explained But, say,
if that boy hops out of town he'll
cost US a lot of money"
"How's he going to hop out ?"
Tom demanded. That's the hell If
this country-there's no getting
away"
Jerry snorted derisively. No get
tin away? What are you. talkin'
about? Amt the Boundary within
ninety miles? Amt plenty of peo-
pie made get-awavs? All they need
IS a dog-team and few hours start
of the Police
Everything all 6x'." 'Poleon told
his sister. Il had talk wit Pierce
He amt comm back here no more"
"Not coming back?" the girl ex-
claimed
Doret met her startled gaze. "Not
, in dis kim of place. He's cut 'em
out for good. ! max him promise"
"A touch of Jail amt bad thing
for harum- scarum kid" Tom vol
unteered, as he finished giving his
supper order. ITS a cold compress
takes down the fever"
Nothing of the Sort" Jerry as
serted. "Jails is total waste of
time. ! don't believe in EN-. You
think this boys tanned, do you! Well,
/ talked with him. and all ] got to
say is this: keep Courteau away from
him or there's one Count you'll lose
count of. The boys got pizen in
him. an don't blame him none.
.INSTALMENT FORTY.sEyEN