The Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1927-1930, 1928-03-29
The Tie That
Tangled
&&&SS
By DUFoRD JENNIE

| into tall figure hurryins down the
hall. A strong arm rescued her as
| she staggered and she looked up into
| steel-gray eyes that were apologize.
81 beg yoHr PARDON" he said earn
estly. Il should look where am 60
| ing"
! TO her surprise, her thoughts went
as she kept busy with her duties at
the House.
The next day, fate brought them
together in one of the conference
rooms, and she knew who he was-at
least, he was introduced as Mac"
Congdon.
little bothered by the strange APP
peal he had for her, she ventured to
ask about him. The assistant who
heard her request laughed.
lie is handsome brute, but be-
ware, my dear. lie is a member of
Red Stanger's gang. We try to keep
in with them, YOU know, for they are
a power in this section. Be nice to
him. If you can help to keep him as
a friend, you will help all of us" the
assistant advised her. "Ife seems to
| be interested in you"
Il don't know whether he Is or not,
| but | swear | seem to be interested in
Lin, even though | don't want to be-
Madeline answered.
He proved to be interested, for later
on he halted her i'll one of the rooms
and asked her to 90 to a dance with
him. Liking for a bit of adventure
led her to accept.
''Durn it, l really like the chap
Madeline told herself. wouldn't it
be a pretty thing-for me to fall in
love with gunman. Better watch
your step, little sister,"
TO her surprise, she had happy
time with him. Except for the type
of girls size met at the dance-and if
you accepted their point of view, they
were like other girls-and a certain
hardness about the men, she found
little that was different from other
dances she had attended Congdon
was kind and thoughtful, and his
mates We're nice to her. "Red" Stan
ger, himself. sleek and ellgroomed,
danced with her, giving her quite
thrill as she remembered whose arms
were about her.
When Congdon babe her good night,
she was a little fearful of what de-
mand he might make upon her, but
his brief goodnight was courteous.
Another phase of the unusual ex-
perience came shortly. She was sent
on an emergency call to one of the
worst holes of the section, but she
had no trouble; and, now and then.
similar errands were given her-and
still no trouble. Then she discovered
the reason. Jostled roughly in hall
by man of a group, a voice said:
'Leave her alone! She's Mac
Congdon's girl'
SO that was the reason she could
go and come, and her superior in the
House realized it evidently The
thought gave her a quick sense of
pride and of safety.
""NTac" Congdon's girf'-WcH l
guess will be for a while" she de.
cided
He came often to the House, and
now and then he helped her with her
work and in spite of her warnings to
herself she began to look forward to
seeing him. The others at the House
were too busy TO pay much attention.
but the assistant also warned her.
Careful, Dark Eyes; Mac is pretty
close to being in love with you"
Il guess | can handle an orn'ery
gunman," Madeline answered smiling
"As long us he's an asset, I'll keep
him tied to my apron!'
Her plans Went awry suddenly.
They were returning from gay and
happy affair rather late, and as they
entered the silent and deserted lobby
of the House she stumbled at the en-
trance and he caught her.
She was conscious of his arms
tightening about her with amazing
strength, his face above hers. then
the shock of his lips upon hers. A
bit daZed by the suddenness and
sureness of his act, she lay in his
arms, a curious sense of satisfaction
breaking crafty through her mind.
Then she remembered. and shook
herself free. She stared at him. her
lips still hot With his kiss. Tall and
quiet he stood in the dim light. hut
his face was gentle, and, someway
her swift anger softened
Mac" she said somewhat breath
lessly, "this will never do" His face
showed again its Guickness to re
Spouse by looking bit strained-'I
mean-you and I've mustn't let this
go ont"
"You mean-you don't care even
little bit for me-"
She paused. "You dol" her heart
shouted at her, you know you dor
"Yes-I debut yOu-a-gunman in
Red"
He Started-then chuckled "Do
you mean to say no one in authority
has tipped you off who | amp" Her
face was answer enough. "Wen, nv
dear, ! don't blame you. am down
here on the quiet making a frst-hand
study of crime conditions; I'm on the
staff of the state penal bureau 7 GIN