Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-03-27

drew a bead. He might as well end
the business after ALL
But before Lees finger frightened on
the trigger, a hand upon his shoulder
made him leap to his feet and start
up, his rifle dubbed, ready to strike.
He thought Railways men had sur
prised him.
But to his amazement 1t was a
woman standing at his side; then in
that cloaked and hooded figure that
confronted him he recognized-Estelle
once more.
She looked at him hxedly; she was
deeply agitated, and caught at her
breath before she was able to find her
voice.
You fool!" she exclaimed bitterly.
'You fool! You had her in your hands
and you let Jim Railway take her
away from you! You couldn't hold
kher-and now 1 come upon you to find
you planning a cold-blooded cowardly
murder-you, policeman
At that something broke In Lees
heart. The realization Of the act he
planned came over him. He would have
killed Railway as heedlessly as any
bloodthirsty forest beast. But Es-
telle's reference to the police touched
| his pride.
, He let the rifle drop, grounding the
butt.
Listen to what I've got to tell you,
Lee. l love him. Do you understand
that? suppose you think it's not my
| nature to love. But 1t is 1t was you
who couldn't hold my love. hated
! and despised you. never knew how
much l loved James Railway till l
morning when you came to our camp
and struck him down so treacherously.
"Oh, yes, 1 have love and passion,
and constancy in my nature, Lee An
derson. 1t was only you who couldn't
draw them out !"
Her voice was vibrant, hoarse with
passion.
"That girl will make a fool Of you
too, Lee Anderson, just as did," she
cried. you'd be made fool Of any,
where, by any womanw
But her words passed Lee by like
the wind.
81 could have killed you that morn
ing, as l could kill you now, only
love James Railway. And he'll love
me again when you take this new at
traction away out of his sight, where
he can't find her. / thought you'd got
away-but here you are, back again
with her, and all the works got to be
| done over again.
II was crouching near, and / over
heard your dialogue, you and she, and
the priest, and James Railway. You
gave her up-the woman you love-
because she'd stood up before the altar
with the man she hated and called
herself his wife. I'd hold the woman
loved, were I a man, against God
Himself, and all His cohorts!
"Oh, If only l could find words to
hurt you, Lee Anderson, to pierce that
tough skin of yours But l haven't
time. Listen to me- nowl You don't
have to commit murder to get her.
You fool, you blind fool, shall l tell
your"
She laughed with haunting menace.
"Shall tell you, Lee Anderson?" she
repeated.
And suddenly came the sound of
Joyce, screaming within the house.
There came the noise of struggle.
Even as Lee turned Joyce was rum
ming along the passage toward the
door. Instantly Estelle glided away
into the shadows.
Joyce flung the door open; and then
Railway caught her from behind and
swung her back toward him. His black
beard hung over her face.
Lee Lee Come to me~
Joyce ceased to struggle.
'Herel' answered Lee, and dashed
his fists into Railways face, sending
him staggering.
Railway howled and felt for his
pistol. Lee was upon him, pinioning
his arms to his sides, before he could
draw it. But Railways men came
hurrying along the passage. In an in
slant there was furious melee. Lee
tripped over a leg thrust out, fell heav-
lily upon his back, and struggled in
vain under the weight of his four adj
versaries,
Quickly he was reduced to helpless
ness, his limbs held firmly. Momentum
| lily he ceased to struggle, nursing his
strength for a more violent effort.
He looked up into the grinning faces
at Pathway, standing over him, leer.
ing, arms outstretched, gasping fol
breath and consciousness.
Railway pulled his pistol and Gov
cred Lee. pierre Shorty Kramer
You're witnesses that you saw this
man spying outside this house.
They assented. Pierre grinned
Shorty swore, spat, and scowled, ant
Lee saw the half-healed scar Of hi:
pistol butt upon his cheek.
"You saw him assault me-" Railway
continued. "Well. Anderson, / CUES.
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