Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-06-26

Jim, you know this Is nothing but an
infatuation Of yours. AS you said, II
won't last. And what are you going
to do with her afterward? You know
what it'll mean to you" Estelle was
pleading now. "You know when Nc
Grath learns the truth, he'll raise the
whole country against you. Let her
go, Jim. What do you mean to dor
"You know what I mean to dor
snarled Railways but he could not
meet her gaze.
Estelle laid her hand on his arm.
"Jim, did you ever have pity On any
one in your lifef" she asked.
"Oh, maybe. when I was young and
foolish"
"Did you ever feel respect for any
woman, JimT
"Ah, cut out that line Of talk, Es-
tellel Don't try to ride the moral
horse when It's Just plain jealousy -
one female jealous OF another. That's
all it is."
"It's not, Jim. And you'u regret
what you're planning to do. Jim, I'll
feel you're slipping your neck into
moose"
He leaped back and swore violently
at her. "Cut out that talk, tell youl"
he shouted, almost beside himself.
"Jim, listen-just listen. I guess
I'm not what anyone would call good
woman, but was like that girl once.
and-I can't bear 1t, Jim. Jim, I'll do
anything In the world for you II you'n
have pity on her. It may be there's
jealousy, too, but It's much more
much more for her sake-and for
yours"
Estelle was working herself into one
Of her hysterical frenzies. Railway
grew crafty. It Is not easy for man
to fool a woman, except when she is
in love with him. Then 1t isn't very
hard. And Estelle was desperately
eager to be deceived.
"See here, Estelle," said Railway
gently, "you know II let her 60 what
would happen. I've got to keep her
here till I know there's going to be
no come back. I've got to see this
thing through. She'll come to no
harm at my hands"
Estelle looked at him eagerly. "Jim,
you mean thatY' she cried. "You
swear that you mean it2"
II mean more than that. You
know me and you are partners,
through thick and thin, for good while
now, though we've had our QuarreIe.
Well, won't deny what you said
about an infatuaton. But I'm getting
to see things reasonable. And you're
my old partner, Stella"
What a fool the woman was-all
women wereI She was clinging to
him, looking UP at him with that alb
surd expression on her face that had
once set his heart leaping. How he
hated herl
Jim Jim, dear. II I could dare
to believe what you're saying"
"Oh, I guess yoh can believe me,
Stella" Railway, answered easily.
"Tn have to keep. her here a week or
so, just to show McGrath I'm not rum
ming away. You see, there's Ander-
sons accident. He fell down the cliff
killed at once, Of course; and IL
was to go away now, they'd think
there'd been foul play or; something"
"You-you swear 1t was,an accident,
JimT
"Sure 1t was! SO you see. Stella,
I've got to keep her here a little while.
Then we'll get away from here for
ever, you and me. and the gold"
"Oh, Jim, you've made me happier
than I'VE been since-since you seemed
to cease to care. You do care for me q
little, JimT she asked. nesting
against him.
"As much as ever" answered Rath-
way. And, as she twined her arms
about his neck, he bent and kissed
her. 1t was the kiss of Judas. But
Estelle, happy again to feel her love
returned, only lifted her lips to his in
touch that made him vince at his
own treachery.
"Then I'll 60 and stay with that
poor girl tonight, Jim. DEAR" she said,
"and tell her that there's nothing to
be afraid Of"
Railway, taken by surprise, man.
aged to keep his countenance, but
when Estelle had departed for the hut.
he broke into almost maniacal cutses.
D-n her. She had tricked him with
her very innocencel
And once again he found himself In
the old predicament he could take the
gold and leave the girl, or he could
wait till the opportunity arose to take
Joyce, certain that meanwhile his men
would demand their shares. Eight OF
them
he fell into gnashipg fury. He
had risked so much, and this fool Of
a woman had baked him at the end
Hour after hour that night Estells
sat beside Joyce In the hut among the
reeds. soothing her. mothering her,
coaxing her to eat. and trying to re-
store her tottering mind to sanity.
Hour after hour. Joyce, at her side,
sat staring out into the darkness. and
did not utter a word.
And hour after hour Railway sat
drln kiuo tn hfa hut IN fha yrnu1nn forv