The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-08-26

me- I'd rather XIII myself. she pas
sionately cried, with the unconscious
melodrama of youth.
"It amt a question of you KILN
yoreself, but of You sending yore sister
to be hanged. or leastways to the pen
for life. You'll throw in with me or
I'll sure enough put her through.
never rue back. Not me-" BE en-
phasized the claim with an oath. You
can't help yoreself. got the dead
wood on you, an I'll certainly go
through"
You wouldn't do that" she begged.
one hand clasping the other small
knotted fist in an agony of indecision.
mo man would do that to two lone
girls when-when things were like
they were"
"Wouldnt II" he thrust his face
forward, lids narrowed so that his
eyes were mere points of glittering
light. Grab il from me. | would.
Chiero. compadre! WHATS eatin' you
anyhow Amt Jasper Stark good
enough for a sheepwoman?"
Il didn't say you weren't good
enough. don't want Toto marry
you"
why don't your"
Because"
"Thaf amt a reason"
81 don't"
She stopped Her mind refused to
LET her utter the word love even in
denial to him. Ii seemed dissertation.
I'm mighty fond of you. honey.
more'n of any girl ever did see." He
moved close and put his arms around
her.
She shivered but offered no resist
ance He was stronger than she The
weapon he held was one she could not
parry. If he insisted on using ii she
must surrender. though the very
thought struck all the warm joyous
life out of her body. His ravenous
kisses fell on cold lips and cheeks. on
a soft throat line from which the pulse
seemed 10 have died.
With curse he released her. Ethel
turned Her sister was swiftly breast
AlS lAIC I'LL lOo I1CA4- cAlC A1OSl
have seen
With an awkward swagger the man
strobe forward a step or two. PLEASED
to meet up with you" be laughed.
"We hadn't aimed TO make any an
nouncemeni yet. bur since you drapped
in why we gotta admit the corn"
The older sister looked at Ethel. stand
ing there white and stricken She did
not understand. but she knew instinc-
lively that the girl hated this bully
and was afraid of him Her fierce
eyes went back TO Stark and stabbed
at him.
Get off our land" she ordered in a
low tense voice IF ever see you on
il again I'll kill you"
Like you did Tom McArdle," he
suggested significantly.
The blood ebbed from her face, but
the hard and shining eyes did not fall
ter. who says | killed him?" she
asked. almost in whisper.
why, I'm sayin' it right now, an
| know another fellow who could say
I'm asking you what you mean"
plain enough, amt it? You shot
Tom from the brush. an can prove it."
The older sister turned TO the
younger. How long has he been meet
ing your"
He came the week after-after he
was killed" Ethel spoke in a low
voice of distress. The pronoun of in
definite antecedent was quite clear TO
all present as 10 who was meant
And he has been here SINGER"
"Four-five times"
Threatening your"
Ethel nodded
THAT be would tell-what he claims
to know about me? Is that it?"
'Yes"
IF you wouldn't marry him? / sup
pose he does you the honor to offer
marriage. Or does hef" Ann spoke
in low clear note of concentrated
bitterness.
yes"
I'm on the square with her." Stark
said virtuously. That's the kind Of
a fellow / am. I'm here as friend,
understand"
But if she doesn't marry you I'm TO
go to the penitentiary. Is that it,"
"She1l marry me. / amt worried
about that"
"Or you'll send me to prison." the
other sister persisted
Have it yore own way" he laughed
brutally.
The pupils of her eyes dilated as
they blazed scorn at him. you yellow
coyoiei If there's anything that walks
as low as you"
His teeth showed in a snarL "Tha's
no way TO talk TO me, you crazy hell
cat | got you where the woods short
got you right Get on the hook with
me. an I'll sure enough put you
through"
do whatever you've a mind to do.
But get off our ranch and stay off II
| ever see you on ii again I'll pump
lead into you-as I would into a dia-
mond-back" Voice and manner were
full of disgust and bitterness. She
felt degraded at having TO wrangle
with him. II seemed to put her on his
level
I'm get off when I'm good an ready
10 go. But get ii straight. girl IRIS
showdown I'm tellin' you Me. Jas
Stark" He staggered into the shade
of live oak and rolled cigarette for
effect I'm tellin' you that either
Ethel an me take a trip TO the sky
pilot or you take one to the pen. Un-
derstand?'