The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-06-03

that IL why Hs merclruiiy sa'' "
forgetfulness J. .,no,
And, shudderlng, she re"aine'
a,ro where she was like q cata
leptic. ~ ,o,
Father McGrath to Railway IN white
hot wrath. "Ye've proved yerser
tr,nle leear the moo. for Pelly's deid-
aDeadY shouted Railway.
"Aye. deid these mony months, ant
va claimed he was alive, and In you
mower 80 that We could get possession
Of this pulr girl we've deceived
Rut he broke of, and Railway madt
no reply, but watched him as he STROBE
10 the spot where Joyce was standing
Gently he took her hand in his and be
gan to whisper in her ear. And all tne
while there was silence, and yet II
seemed as II through that silence In
Vulnerable powers were IN connict-
man against man, man against Ia"
man against God. -,
Then Lee cried out in tone 30 WHO
that even Railway and Railways men
appeared awed by 1t:
"She's mine In the sight OF COO
Joyce. tell me that you care nothlng
for this trick that has been played on
youl Tell me that you will DEFY TINS
man and come away with meP
Railway stepped forward. covering
Lee with a pistol.
"By heaven" he swore, III plow
your brains out II you NEEDLE with me
or mine. and there's no court In this
land will hold me guilty"
Lee scarcely seemed to be aware OF
him. He was holding out his arms
to Joyce, and she was trembling, and
looking at him, irresolute. Father Nc
Grath was holding her hands and still
whispering in her ear. And suddenly
dreadful change came over Lees
face. Confidence was replaced by a
look of mortal anguish.
Joyce /" he cried wildly.
Joyce looked at the priest, who step
ned between them; but it was Joyce
whom he addressed, not Lee.
"My child, you married James Rath-
way Of your ain free WILL" ne sald.
"The motive has ma bearing on the
situation. He didna constrain you by
fear of violence. Twas to save your
father you did 1t. you say-aye, Dut
twas to save him from the just proc
esses Of the law. There's nae way
DOT, my dear. This mans your
husband"
He looked at Lee. "Tis the saddest
thing I've known" he said, but ye
see this makes the ceremony we've
been through valueless. There's nae
way DOT o. it-nane at all, lad. SO
YOU twa must cen just say guidbye."
Lee turned to Joyce. He cried her
name. She tottered toward him, hands
outstretched, cropping before her. as II
she were blind.
She found him, their hands clasped
each other thus during a period OF
silence that seemed all eternity com
pressed into a few moments.
The words came monotonously from
Lees lips: "Joyce, are you-going-to
that man establishment your
.husbandT
She bowed her head. Their eyes
met, his In a dumb prolongation OF
that question, hers In mute, helpless
agony.
Then suddenly Lee released her. He
Strengthened himself, stood up stiftiy,
and squared his shoulders, as If he
were on parade. And quietly he
turned away.
Then the silence was broken by a
wild laugh from Railway. There was
something in that laugh more devilish
even than in the situation. For It was
amused, shameless, merciless, devoid
Of any human element; 1t was like
the laugh that the hyena gives over
the kiss Of some nobler beast that it
has supplanted.
PUT his pack out Of my house,
Pierre! Fling it out into the sDowT
he shouted, chuckllng. what. your
pack, Is it7 Never mind. we'll let him
keep 1t. Can't turn the poor devil
out into the snow to freeze. He'll go
to Jail later on for stealing It,"
He strobe up to Joyce and clapped
his hand upon her shoulder. "Jcyce,
ny dearie, have you said goodbye to
your sweetheart" he asked "Well
make this place our headquarters for
little honeymoon before going back to
Siston lake-what d'you say to that?"
The girl shrank under his touch.
Pathway saw 1t and scowled. But
lie turned toward Lee, his face alight
With triumph.
"You-take yourself away with your
stolen goods, and don't let me catch
,ou hanging round my wife again !"
lie shouted. "Or I'll shoot you like
he dog that you are. And, harken,
Mr.. Anderson Don't you ever dare
o show your face among decent men
again, or I'll have you Jailed p
Father McGrath strobe forward, his
ace working with emotion.
AYE, James Railway, ye're feeling
,our triumph the noo," he cried, land |