The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-30
CHAPTER IX-Continued
--13-

Hold on! Why the rush? You've
been fooling me, haven't you? Been
trying to make me believe that | was
to cut your timber, while all the time
you had your tongue in your cheek.
What's the game? was ready to Liay
fair. I've no quarrel with you. I'm
just man. But you've tricked me.
Now you'll pay for it. I'll keep you
here till you sign a contract for me to
cut for you"
His cool. restrained ferocity stopped
Prue's heart for an instant. She seat
ed herself in the one chair, carefully
spread her skirts to the blaze, and
looked up at him.
You think you will keep me here,
you mean. Wake up! You are in
the Twentieth century. You have for.
gotten that three persons already know
with whom came into the woods. I'll
tell you my game, as you call it. Rod
ney Gerard is bringing in a crew.
preferred that you shouldn't see them
arrive. And you didn't. Easy, wasn't
it?"
He seized her shoulders. With all
her strength she shook off his hands and
retreated to the fireplace.
Don't touch me again! Don't
dare!"
The words shivered into a whisper.
The icy cold of the brook was stealing
through her bones. Galloway folded
his arms and scowled.
HE is a little mad" she thought, as
she had thought once before.
"Dare! That's a joke. Who can
stop me? Your foxy partner is busy
with his gang. isn't he? take off my
hat to you, you put your fake friendli-
ness across. believed you. 1 asked
you to marry me! You've been laugh
ing at me! Now it's my turn. You're
here and here you stay. You needn't
SILVER. You are safe enough. I'm no
bum. I'm not lady-snatcher like Rod
Gerard. I'm just man! I'm entitled
to be boss of this county and no ones
going to block me. Get that. I won't
stand for interference"
Prudence regarded Galloway In
credulously. The man was molding
his life to an obsession.
Why are you staring at me? Don't
you understand? You'll spend the
night here. and then I guess"
Say, Iissen! You've got another
guess comm. Buddy"
A man swayed in the entrance. His
hunted eyes. set In dark rings, glared
from his cadaverous face, as vicious
a face as ever scowled behind bars.
From clawlike fingers revolver dan
gled.
Prudence pressed her hand hard
against her lips to keep back a cry.
The convict? Perhaps he had taken
the emerald and diamonds last night.
Perhaps she had been horribly unjust
to Walter Gerard. Galloway sprang
for him. He leveled the gun. It
clicked.
Hands up! Lay off! Get me? II
either you or the jane zip, I'll put a
bullet through each OF you, an
wouldn't stop to choose which first,
either. amt like you, you big noise.
am a bum"
He watched Calloway's retreat
through half-closed lids. The CLINT
between them was murderous. Pru-
dence said as fiippantly as if her heart
were not shaking her body with its
clamor
"This is getting to be one of those
parties. isn't it?"
Say. you're cool one. sister. I
guess you can have the cabin after
all, Buddy. There'll be folks here after
this skirt you kidnapped"
II haven't kid"
keep your mouth shut Sit
down."
Galloway sat with suddenness
which rocked the chair. The man In
possession of the revolver scowled at
Prudence.
Here you'll Scatter that firel Quick |!
Think want the whole pack after you
following that smoke? That'll do.