Plentywood herald., 1932-09-29
CHAPTER V--continued

IN the house they we're waiting IN
6lorfa- Grafton paced back and fnrtt
wnlritng always abreast of the stair,
looking up expectantIy.
Al last Gloria came Slowly she de
scended the stzirs. one hand .f he
breast. one gripping the banisfer. He
eyes, glancing wildly about the mon
ana at the men to be seen I'm the hall
way, were the eyes OF one In 4 tran
seeking franticaIIy for escape. know
ing that there vas no escape. She "a =
lhree pairs OF eyes staring Mt her
mems eyes. to her the eyes OF Wild .ni.
mais' she read what lay In the mind
OF each. In the little gray mans. the
JUDGES, speculation: In Steve Iarrold's.
1ne Jeers OF man OF Jarrold'x tvpe
saen moment when they fell upon
Tue bride: In Grafton's, q1.ckened de-
are OF her and triumphant cunning.
Ny DEAR" said Grafton. coming for
ward as though to meef her and f1eu
pausing abruptly and holding back,
TINS Is Iudge-Judge SummerIing. He
"ih-perform the ceremony, ron know.
AND this Is Mr.. IarroId. He brpuvht
the 1udge and will be d witness.-
1ioria from the last step regarded
Ihe Ihree men as prisoner might have
Iooked upon JaIIers coming to drar
her to execution. Her lips moved bur
no sound issued Judge" Summer
ing bowed stifrly and cleared his
throat.
suddenly Gloria began to laugh hys-
feficaiiy. uncontroIlabIy. Gratton
whipped back and stared AFT her. Sum-
meriing and Jarrold we're mystifled.
sne looked 30 little like laughter But
fhey could have no eIew to GIoria,s
thoughts Her weddingl with that
insignificant little gray man In his
cheap wrinkled clothes TO officiate.
WIN that nnshaven, Ieering, dirty man
10 witness! Holy matrimony. Gloria
GaEnor's wedding.
The Judge" was clearing his throat
again This affair ain'r any more reg
iiar than 1T ought to be-" he was sav-
ng Now. just the matter OF the
icense--ss
Grafton jerked about and rlared Mt
Inn. The Judge" broke of With q
ehemenf clearing of his throat.
Seem as both parties wanr to rel
married" he said hastily, ..and as cir
nmsfancfs Is what they is-keepins In
lind how circumstances does alter
ases-Weii then Are you readyr'
mat Are you readyy seemed to
xpIode like 4 pistoi-shof la GIoria's
ars Something within her shrieked.
10. no. no." Grafton had said a nuier
fess and was looking ut her. she
card herself saying family. .Yes-
Graffon put out his hand as though | ,
help her down the last srep. She
aoe little gesture. motionfng him ,
lck He bit at his lip and obeyed.
ougn with quick flash of the eyes
ora looked down at the step
'onf six inches high. and yef-aud
where she stood was As high as :
aFen, down there AS deep rs hen.
e shndddered and moved ouick1v !.
;" sne stood ON the same level ais
alton and the others. the physical :
e was sinister as though syruboIfeal !.
the psychical- -
across the room was the fireplace.
= an ornamental mirror. From | H.
ere she stood she could see only =,
reflection of the window across "
room, the strip of curtain at the
e stirring softly in the evening ri
eze That breeze came down =
ongh the pines. 1t wandered free ~
couldn't she, Gloria. be like that7 -
Thought p0ignantly of her few m
9 among the pines with Mark King. ! ",
the remembered glory OF II. the an
IN, sweet freedom OF II. -
Now. folks. Ii you're ready. Stand -
!. by side -
Ohl' cried Gloria !.
Eh? What's that?" demanded the -
iger -
he tried to smile.
II think She saw Steve Jar tor
ieering- The witness she said ,bs
|ly- There is only one. and hIo
f's usual to have two anyhow sd- fon
cd the Judge" But, being As finn
ss Is BIT irregular and every nor
Z. why we'll make one do.- T
- s said 'ioria She did hou
look toward Grafton. but he under am
! that she addressed him. -JIm Nor
ding I'd feel better II someone i sro
III you'd get Jim to come. hou
se-.
e knew that she did not care wev
her Jim Spalding came or did moi dre,