The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-02-08
SUNSET SUI SET PA PASS

drive me away [ advise you to keer on bein' cruel"
 You wouldn't stay herewith us -and-and leave me alone?" she asked, with a simplicity wholly free of vanity.
 "Yes, might, if you cut me colo or slammed the door in my face,' he answered.
 That I couldn't do. If you stay on, living here an deating at our table, could not help but talk tl you, be with you some. I think it would be nice-if Ash wasn't around to make me so sick. I'm afraid I might like you. There isn't any reason why I shouldn't. Now, if you stayed-you'd- you'd"
 She broke off as if unable to find adequate expression. But her voice, her look, were more than sufficient to make Rock fight tempation. How easy to lie to this innocent girl! He could do that and stay on here, and deceive Ash Preston, too.
 "Yes, Miss Thiry, I would.' he returned, swiftly, to get by the danger. T would be a very great deal worse than any cowboy you ever knew"
 "So-you see,' she said, entreat- ingly. Then you and Ash would fight over me. First with fists, probably like a couple of beasts. Then with guns! :. Oh, that's the horror of t. There would be blood spilled. He might kill you, which would be terrible. But most likely you would kill him."
 Suppose I did?" flashed Rock, torn between pity and jealousy.
 She leaped up to stand rigid, with clinched hands and swelling bosom, with such blazing eyes of passion, that he was stunned.
 .If it was not my death-I'd kill you myself" she cried, passionately
 How wonderful she was! Almost he forgot all in sheer ecstacy. Then remorse laid hold of him again. He was torturing her.
 Miss Thiry, forgive me again 7 he pleaded. You've said an awful thing, But I was to blame. Please sit down. {. That was only my temper. Listen, I hope I'll never get into any kind of fight with Ash"
 'Oh, what are good intentions to men where a ;woam is con- cerned? You couldn't keep out of it. You have a fiery temper. :. .. And Asa-tl1at devil would make saint fight"
 "In just make up my mind l won't fight. 10l keep out of his way. m do af1yt11in'."
 Except let me alone. Oh, I can't trust you, MT. Rock. I darent trust the situation" M
 aBut, girl, be reasonable. Nh ons yet ever made me do what didn't want to do. If I gay I won't fight with words or fists or guns-1 won't A
 .-Not If he insulted you vilely be- fore my farnily-or others? Not if he slapped you, spat in you, face, kicked you as If you were a dog?' :
 "Girl. in that case I couldn't be 90 sure Of snysef. But might stand all that for you"
 .'Then I wouldn't have you dc N" sA,e csied. 's1 wouldn't let you i, be co~ard-be despised by my people--All these nge-riders,, aac your friends"
 AThose who know me would un- derstand. Reckon I wouldn't care about others"
 l "But it'd be dreadful to make such-a-a fool of yourself over me- she protested hotly. 1T wouldn't allow It."
 You might not be able to help 1t. I'd have to be fool--or else Ii Trueinan Rock-orle or the other And Id certainly rather be fool 1 than hurt you"
 l But you've only seen me once! she exclaimed despairingly. l I'm not commitin' myself yet
 because I'd hate to embarrass you more without bein' sure. But I'm afraid, if seein' you the other day
 wasn't enough, this time is."
 "Oh, please go away tomorrow ] --before it's too late she implored ] You want me to go as bad as that?" asked Rock, weakening. II beg you to- I've begun to be [ afraid of you, and I wasn't at first