The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-07-19


to a sturdy rock In rising waters, and
could not. She could only see the face
of the man beside the door. the young
face that she had seen In 30 many
lights, drunken and wild and relent-
less. sober and contrite. washed with
regret.
What was happening to herl To her
life itself7 To her destiny and her
hopes1
Tears came In her eyes, and she did
not hear what her chance partner was
saying. Fear was In her heart. and
certain terrible fire that mounted and
grew. Time passed. and she was not
conscious of It,
Finally, late In the night, the dddles
struck up the sweet old strains OF
"Home. Sweet Home" and the dance
was over. This was the last number.
A cowboy from the K Bar q with
whom she always liked to dance was
asking her for 1t. She had just held
out her hand when some one reached
forward from the side and took 1t.
Next moment she was gone ont along
the floor In the dreamy rhythm OF the
sweet old tune. and this time she was
held so close that she could feel the
beating OF his heart. a laundering rev.
erberation like tides on the shore. Des-
perately she raised her eyes and
looked at him.
TELL me-" she whispered thickly.
"what are your Who are your
Nothing he said bitterly, ito you.
Nothing-ever-and I'd give half my
life to kiss one curl on your head
with 4 decent mans right"
The words came through his set
teeth, and even In the tenslty OF tho
moment she noticed that he did not
slur his words at the ends.
"Then be decent" she cried pas
sionately. BE decent"
"Too late. I'm only looking In WIN
dows-from the outslde-and l built
the wall between. myself"
"Tell me your name,' she said, tell
me-"
mo-"
Eyes. Tell me now"
II can't / haven't name-any
more.
You have. Your own name. Not
what you-you 90 by-where-whers
you answer roll call"
Answer roll call That's good What
do you know about met What have
you heard7"
Nothing. I'm guessing. fitting things
In places" she said swiftly. "and
there's some one across the Border
who crucIhes--"
flush For Gods sake, don't speak
OF that again, ever, anywhere Where
did you hear of-suchY
mo matter. There is--and someway
you're connectedi 1t cuts mo like !
knIfe-you've got to tell me. Who ara
your"
IF tell you my name. will you
keep 1t like you would your oath7"
ES. IOu huOW l will
"Of course | know. I'm Starr Stone
to my mother, who thinks I'm dead
and buried In this-country-I 20 b.
something different. Now are you sat
isfled?e
mo. I've got to know the rest |
will know IT.
"Why7 Heaven knows, You have
little to thank me for-llttle to think
OF me for. I've blackened your first
memory OF me beyond all hope"
why do you speak carelessly some
times and now correctly"
i've been two men. am two men.
"What kind of menY'
'1What does 1t matterf I'm a dead
man-dead and damned and rotten
Don't trouble your darling head about
me. I'm running true to form right
now In being here. In holding you In
my arms, In looking In your face. II
anyone this side the Border-anyons
who counted--knew me, I'd not have
done 1t. There's that much decency
left In me. But no one knows. and I'm
IKE 4 dying man begging for water
I come back to look at You again and
again. I'd crawl on my knees around
the world to change my leopard
spots" he finished bitterly. ITO looi
In your eyes with = clear conscience
Suddenly the IRE and the fear and
the ecstasy which had warred In Son,
va all night seemed to rise above hel
like tide Of sorrow and disaster
She felt Al II she sank In swirlinl
waters. drowned In tears.
Her throat closed with m aching
pain and one hard sob escaped her.
Instantly the man looked down
holding her from him.
my Cdr he said, "what-what--
Why, my Cd"
Then he drew her to him close and
hard. and tho trembling of his arms In
tensifed. The face above her small
black head had gone haggard ~ Al
old mans
The last soft strains OF the tender
tune were dying.
The feet OF the dancers slowed
And suddenly from nowhere, out 0,
the very night beyond tho doors, I
seemed, 4 hand fell on his shoulder, ,
powerful grasp whirled him about
Conva with him