The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-09-15
CHAPTER XII-Continued

10
"Yes!" He stepped close and she
could see the madness f1ickering deep
in his eyes. "YOu fired hint | knew
you would: fixed that. ! did! He
couldn't explain that, the fool! He
couldn't keep on. And then he came
to me and dared me TO put him TO
work and did and ne walked into the
traps and out again. without a
scratch And all the time he was clos
ing in. closing in. II wasn't Brad
shaw who did it: the poor dumb fool
never'd have suspected me. 1t
wasn't Bradshaw. II was Belknapi
But Bradshaw won't serve that war
rant. No warrant for arson r.
voice dropping to whisper. "It's
serious charge. arsonl They'd have
sent me away for 1t. Belknap
down and get away instead of spend
ing years in prison for arson? Isn't 1t.
Ellen? I didn't lose my head so bad
~, did I? Smart, wasn't 1t? Smart
to smart to keep free -.
free.
He looked about slowly. still like
man waking from bewildering dream.
then sat down heavily and drew
hand across his eyes In that weak
gesture for clarity.
"Of course he said. 1--WE can begin
again somewhere else. You and
l. :" He looked about Grub
here; guns here; blankets, axes.
We can hide out | can hide ont r.
staring hard at her. "And you'll go
with me. ! won't be cheated out Of
everything! Belknap can't take all
there is from me! I'll have you. Ellen
By Cd. I'll have you at last"
She retreated as he rose and stepped
towards her, stripped for the moment
of even her front of fearlessness.
"Stay back ~ she cried. Don't come
near me. auT-beseechingly.
He stopped with sorry laugh.
"Still hate me. Ell? . Well, you'll
get over that" He brushed his eyes
once more. "What'd | say, just
now a minute ago? What'd
say about Belknap? Mustn't believe it,
Ellen. A man gets upset.
Says things he doesn't mean. don't
know what I'm doing"
"Of course you're tired" she said.
"You We come a long way. Take off
your coat and cap Sit dowh, here by
the fire" 80 $50
He let her help him and, seated
again, he spread unsteady hands to
the stove.
where's wolfT ne asked after a
long silence. 5
Ellen speculated swiftly.
"He'll be back any time. / was
waiting for him when you"
Don't lie to mel" he cut in sharp
ly. 81 know where he is; miles away,
after wolves in the Caribou He
won't be back for days.
With a sharp hiss the coffee boiled
over and he turned quickly at the
sound. The girl snatched at the open
ing it rendered.
Here's coffee for you, Paul Sugar?
There's no cream"
"Black l'' he mumbled. "Just
black :"
She poured a great cup Of the scald-
ing beverage and he took it clumsily
from her.
Careful" she said. "It's hot. :"
He drank the coffee slowly she filled
the cup again. he appeared to be OBJ
nvious of her presence for long inter
walls. His hands, under the stimulant,
ceased to tremble 50 violently. and she
thought that perhaps this device for
gaining time might work against her.
Three cups, he drank, scarcely speak
ing. and another half-hour was gone.
"There!" he said, setting the cup
on the hearth with clatter and ris-
ing. Better noww He eyed the girl
closely. Where were we, Ell? We
were Oh, yes: about you =.
you're paying. You're paying for
not loving mel You've scorned me,
you had him wait outside your Office
and throw me out F.. Well. he isn't
here Notwithstanding.
udChSu away dS hC SolnC iOA-
ward. heart pounding in her throat.
"PaulI" she cried, but he did not
seem to have heard.
"He won't know; you can't call
himw he seized her wrists In his
clammy grip and drew her close.
"We'll leave here together. you and
L Just you and |, and"
LET me go!" she cried, wrestling
against his hold. "Let me go. Paul ~
She tore one hand free and struck at
his face with it In paroxysm of fear.
LET me 20. sayl"
She staggered and would have fallen
except for the table as she broke from
his hold. She poised there a moment.
one hand on the oilcloth, the other at
her throat, watching him. Then. like
a flash, she whirled and fung herself
against the outer door, tearing 1t open,
crossing the threshold in flight as he
cried out and leaped forward.
The girls strength was no match
for his. He caught an arm and
dragged her back into the room
"None of that !" he said evenly.
''None of that. Ellenl You've eluded
me for long, now. That's over.
We're here together :.
She circled the room to far corner
han nd hAh It'd no.