The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-07-16

us luSITOuS udrKueSS llhc a theCU
cameo. He had dreamed, but he had
pictured nothing like this woman who
stood before him now, her eyes wild
ening with fear and the flush leaving
her face even as he looked at her.
1t was not long interval In when
their eyes met in that terrible silence
terrible to the girl. Words were I'M
necessary. At last she understood
understood what her peril had been
that day at the edge of the chasm and
in the forest, when fearlessly she had
played with the menace that was con-
fronting her now.
A breath that was like a sob broke
from her lips.
"M'sieu" she tried to say. But 1t
was only CASPIAN effort. she
seemed choking.
Plainly she heard the click Of the
iron bolt as it locked the door. NC
Taggart advanced a step.
Only a single step McTaggart adj
vanced. On the floor Baree had re-
NAMED like a carven thing. He had
not moved. He had not made sound
but that one warning snarl-until Nc
Taggart took the step. And then, like
flash, he was up and in front OF
Nepeese, every hair of his body on
end; and at the fury in his growl Nc
Taggart lunged back against the
barred door. A word from Nepeese
in that moment, and it would have
been over. But an instant was lost
an instant before her cry came. In
that moment mans hand and brain
worked swifter than brute under
standing; and as Baree launched HIM
self at the Factors throat. there came
flash and deafening explosion al
most in the Willows eyes.
1t was a chance shot, shot from
the hip with McTaggart's automatic.
Baree fell short. He struck the floor
with a thud and rolled against the log
wall. There was not a kick or a culver
left in his body. McTaggart laughed
nervously as he showed his pistol back
in its holster. He knew that only a
brain shot could have done that.
With her back against the further
wall, Nepeese was waiting. McTag-
CART could hear her painting breath.
He advanced halfway to her.
"Nepeese, have come to make you
my wife," he said.
She did not answer He could see
that her breath was choking her. She
raised hand to her throat. He took
two more steps, and stopped. He had
never seen such eyes.
IT have come to make Won my wife,
Nepeese. Tomorrow you will go on to
Nelson House with me, and then
back to Lac Bain-~forever." He add
ed the last words as an afterthought
Forever" he repeated.
He did not mince words. His cour-
age and his determination rose as he
saw her body droop little against
the wall. She was powerless. There
was no escape. Pierrot was gone
Baree was dead.
He had thought that no living crea-
ture could move as swiftly as the Will
low when his arms reached out for
her. She made no sound as she dart
ed under one of his outstretched arms.
He made a lunge, brutal grab, and
his fingers caught bit Of hair. He
heard the snap of 1t as she tore her.
self free and flew to the door. She
had thrown back the bolt when he
caught her and his arms closed about
her. He dragged her back. and now
she cried out-cried out in her de-
spair, for Pierrot, for BARGE, for some
miracle of God that might save her.
And Nepeese fought. She twisted
in his arms until she was facing him.
! She could no longer see. She was
smothered in her hair. 1t covered her
face and breast and body, suffocating
her, entangling her hands and arms
and still she fought. In the struggle
McTaggart stumbled over the body of
Baree, and they went down. Nepeese
was up fully five seconds ahead of the
man. She could have reached tie
door. But again 1t was her hair. Sne
paused to fling back the thick masses
of it so that she could see, and Nc
Taggart was at the door ahead Of her.
He did not lock it again, but stood
facing her. His face was scratched
and bleeding. He was 40 longer a
man but a devil. Nepeese was broken,
panting-a low sobbing came with her
breath. She bent down, and picked
up a piece of firewood. McTaggart
could see that her strength was al.
most gone.
She clutched the stick as he APP
preached her again. But McTaggart
had lost all thought of fear or caution.
He sprang upon her like an animal.
The stick of flrewood fell. And again
fate played against the girl. In her
terror and hopelessness she had
caught up the first stick her hand had
touched-a light one. With her last
strength she struck at McTaggart
with it, and as 1t fell on his head. he
staggered back. But it did not make