The Coolidge examiner., 1932-10-14
CHAPTER X-Continued
il


eyes steadily. mo, ma'am. told
you the straight of IL He said
something no decent man would
say. ! called for a showdown an
beat him to the draw. He had bet
ter than an even chance"
She threw out her hands in an
impatient little gesture of abandon
Il don't care what you say. II you
did lt-and | don't believe II yet
you did II for me. You're shielding
me now. That's why you gave
yourself up. so that people wouldn't
blame me. And | had treated you
mean-wOuldn't let you be my
friend Then you do this for me.
But | won't have It. I'm going TO
stop 1t. I'll tell them ! did it and
they'll let you 60" Ann ended on
q rising note close to hysteria.
The gunman was close to death.
The dull roar of its menace echoed
away. He did not think of that
now In his blood there drummed
a beat OF JOY. In that hour he was
nearer TO the woman he loved than
ever he had been before. But no
dicker OF feeling was allowed to
reach his poker face.
Nothing TO that" he said quiet
ly. This is a private grudge an
those holding II will git me II they
can. You're not In this. What's
the sense of you mixin' in? II
won't help me any. an you'll get
I'm bad yoreself II was you I'd
go straight home an not say a word
10 anybody. Maybe things will
work out all right for me. You
never can tell"
His coldness chilled her, but she
would not give up. go home !"
she repeated. Leave you here to
die when-when-" She put her
hands up to her face and broke
into violent sObbing.
The Texan stepped closer and
touched her arm gently with his
hand. Don't you take on thata-
way" he begged. "DOn't you"
After a time. through the catches
OF her breath he caught the an
swer. What Kind of a woman do
you think | am-to 20 home and
fold my hands while-while-"
Il think you're the salt OF the
earth. Miss Ann" he told her sim
ply. you've risked a heap in try
in TO help me-what folks will
think. an what this crazy mob
would be liable To do II they found
you here with me- It's the biggest
thing any woman ever did for me
except my mother. But there's no
way you can help me more than
you've done already. So ! say,
don't get yore name mixed up with
me IN this I'll likely make the
grade. I've been in tighter places
than this an come through all
right. DO look like | was worried
about t?"
Before he had finished speaking
there rose a sound such as Ann
had never heard before Ii had In
80 something OF the wild beasts tri.
umphani scream when IL has
brought its kill 10 bay. AT thar
veil of hundreds of voices answer
inc the call of the old savage blood
lust she shuddered with terror
The dread of IL crashed over her
senses like a great wave lifting her
from her feet The room tilted and
objects SWAN together in a haze of
bubbles.
When her eyes opened she found
herself looking up into the face of
Stone. He was supporting her in
Eis arms.
You tainted" he explained.
An appreciation of the situation
flowed back into her mind.
Twas frightened It's dread
full. II some one would talk to
them. would explain things"
He shook his head. mo use.
They're beyond talk" he said
quietly.
But there must be some way.
There must be-" she pleaded des-
perateIy.
We'll fight 'em off," he promised.
Time for you TO go. Miss Ann. II
Mike figures it's safe have him let
you out the hack way. Then you
20 straight home"
She was pallid beneath the tan.
Her lips tremhled He knew that
she was shaky ON her legs.
IF you die II will he for me-" she
told him in a whisper. 'l'll never
forget it-never as long as ! live '
II I'm not tigurin' on dying" he
told her. with a steady cheerful.
ness designed TO deceive. "Adios
You'll have TO hurry"
He had not removed his arms
from her for fear her strength had
not fully returned. Her eyes with
all the gift of her love in them
sank fathOms deep In his. Again
he knew the exultant heat of drum
ming pulses Unworthy though ne
was he Ena1p that she had given