Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-03-20
CHAPTER XIV
Joyce Fights a Good Fight

Joyce let Railway lead her inside
the log house without offering any
resistance. She moved like an autom-
atom under the pressure of his arm.
Inside the large room he released her.
"Put down my packr" he ordered
Shorty, who was attending him.
Light some candles and pin some
thing over the window, and then get
out !"
In a minute Railway and Joyce
were alone. The girl shuddered as the
candle light revealed the mans face
to her. She had seen 1t so many times
in fearful dreams, and all the way up
through the range. When she had
married PATHWAY she had hoped
against hope that something would
intervene to save her. but now the
blow had fallen. And she stood quite
still, her hands crossed on her breast,
waiting for what was to come.
Then Railway seized her in his
arms. He kissed her ice-cold lips,
cheeks, eyes, and throat His hands
went paving over her And as she
still stood unresistant and unrespOn-
sive, his passion grew the fiercer, and
mingled with fury at the realization
that this girl, so submissive In his
arms, was his in body alone.
He released her and, in his rage,
began to growl out jeers and curses.
"a different honeymoon from what
you were expecting, Joyce girlw he
cried. mo, no, the same honeymoon,
but different husband. A better one,
eh, my girl? Well, can't you speak?
Which of your two men do you pre-
fer?"
But Joyce made no reply.
you've answered me, you drab !"
Railway shouted. $50 you've been
living with him on the trail these two
weeks past! BY heaven, was fool
to take you back from him without
killing himl You thought I'd swallow
that, lie about your having forgotten
you were married woman, did you?
Did you ever hear of woman forget
ting that she was married?"
Joyce only watched him with
fixed gaze that made him uneasy.
"You won't pretend to me that your
relations with, him were innocent, 1
suppose?"
Still Joyce said nothing, and Rath-
way grasped her by the wrists.
Answer mel Were they?"
Eyes, they were innocent" The
words issued mechanically from her
lips. He glared at her, incredulous,
wanting to be convinced, unable to be.
OF course the girl was lying. He
would rather have known the worst
than remain in that state Of uncer-
tainty. He didn't understand her. 1t
was barely possible, no more. He was
choking at the sight of her-his, yet
in spirit world away. And suddenly
he fell upon his knees. seized her
hands, and began impressing kisses
upon them.
Forgive mel" he stammered. I'm
mad with jealousy. know you were
unconscious and at his mercy when he
took you away. You weren't to blame.
love you, Joyce. I've always been
mad about you, you know that. Once,
when lost my head, your father shot
me. Won't you forget this other man,
this Anderson? He means no good to
you. He's after that mine, no doubt,
and that's why he forced his company
upon you in the range.
"Forget him, Joyce. / love you. I'll
make you good husband, and you
shall be rich woman. Wen give up
this life here and go south, where
people know how to live. Can you love
me, Joyce?"
"No," she answered, 81 don't love
you. have always hated you"
"By heaven, I'll show you'll"
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