The Ely miner., 1931-03-20
CHAPTER XIII-Continued

IHlS lellOW I!
Roberta looked at him with a wide
stare. Had she really been going TO
do that? 1t seemed impossible. 1t
seemed years ago that she had thought
she hated this man and loved Jack.
She looked across the bed at Jack.
How stupid she had been. How silly!
Why the man was cOmmOnl Some
how she could not meet Sir Georges
eyes.
Il suppose | did mean to at one
time" she admitted. 81 was so deter
mined TO do something desperate-to
get away from everything and every
body, but | won't do ii now"
Good girl - And then Sir George
added: "You couldn't anyhow That's
why came to stop you. He's mar
ried already"
''You lieW
"Oh, no / don't" He said 1t con-
fidently for Jacks face had been in
Stant confirmation. 81 saw her at the
dock and l heard It at headquarters.
Unless you've murdered her quite re-
Gently, she's still your wife"
Roberta was staring at Jack in
horror. She had let thing like this
trick herl
'Roberta's quite through with you"
Sir George told him shortly. "And
j will be in few minutes, after you
have told me how you got hold of the
fact that | was taking the payroll
money up the river"
Roberta whirled. "Ivas he-was he
I'm that. too?"
He nodded. He concealed his sur
prise that she should ask this. How
he had misjudged RObertal Come"
he said to Jack. 81 haven't any time
to waste. Who told your"
"She did"
"Oh. no! Nor Roberta's voice rang
out violently. You don't believe
him, do you?"
Not if you say you didn't" Sir
George told her promptly. though |
own it did look like that to me at
first"
Il never told him"
Jack laughed.
"You dare to say-I did?"
Jack nodded Everything | knew
! got if from you, consciously or IN
7 consciously. You told me several
things that put me on the track and
& it needed only little questioning
about roads and cars and banks to
get all wanted out of you"
Roberta flung her forearm across
her eyes. and leaned against the wall.
She could not face Sir George She
had been this mans tool. She had
been a traitor in her own fathers
house. She had been tricked by Jack
into believing the things he said
against Sir George
He was saying quite distinctly.
though you could tell from his tone
how tired he was, Call them in,
Roberta
Roberta opened the door. She came
back and stood near the bed as the
men with the exception of the doctor,
who had gone on his rounds, filed in.
''YOu will please tell this man be-
fore these witnesses that you are
through with him utterly and for
ever"
Il am through with you," Roberta
said between her teeth, land if | were
a man l would kill you"
Its" Jack wrawled. though his
blood was dark behind his olive skin,
fortunate you're not, and I'm NOT
done with you. | tell you before these
witnesses that / have letters of yours.
which you cannot deny. | have also
a marriage license and your promise
TN oil
distance to do it will make good read
ing in the newspapers"
Sir George turned to Arlett
"ShoOt it out double quick, what
ever it is you want" said Arlett.
Stolidly. i've got a lot of things to do"
Nothing more important than this.
You've heard this young lady refuse
to marry this man, and also heard
him threaten TO make a scandal
about it,
"Huh!" exclaimed the fat con-
stable. 'Women's got a right to
change their minds"
Sure" said the younger constable.
revolving his cud. You can't legislate
agin that"
Roberta, tell Judge Arlett that you
are not going to marry our friend
Jack"
Nothing will make me marry him."
swell that's plain" Arlett's tone
was friendly. "Guess you've got your
walking papers, son, so why not take
them quietly and go?"
Jack walked toward the bed 81
can make trouble and l will. What
you going to do about it?'
'PrOve you liar" Sir George said
quietly. Roberta, get the paper in
the right hand pocket of my coat,
If it wasn't burned up"
Its here" Roberta said meekly.
She had a sudden vision-every time
she looked at Jack-of what it would
be like to go meekiy back to the island
and Green Bend, and day or so
later see her letters and promises en-
bellishing the front page of the papers.
Her father would suffer, and every
one would know what a fool she
had been.
She opened the coat pocket and
took the folded paper out of it. She
handed it to Sir George
He feebiy waved ii toward Arlett
"Shnw it to him, Bobbie," he whis-
pered, land tell him two can play at
that game and you were just spoofing
this man. You never meant to do it.
That is why | followed you"
She stared at him. did father
send you? Does he know?"
"Eo,' Sir George whispered. mo