Glacier County chief., 1939-09-22
CHILD OF EVIL
.os; =s : .sss- By OCTAvUS ROY COHEN

"An right" She CROPPED for words
which would not cut too deeply.
Kirk Reynolds is coming here to-
night. I want you to promise that
you won't be at the house when he
comes"
$50! Why?"
Because I'm afraid there might
be trouble"
''Not in my own home"
even here"
''Nix, honey-nix. don't play
the hero and host at the same time,
much as I dislike this Reynolds
gent
She said, "You might. Tonight"
"How conner"
dry lips. Because he's coming to
take me back to Beverly with him."
She couldn't see Barney's face
for which fact the young man
was grateful. It was dark under
the trees, dark and still. Barney
tried to speak lightly, "Am sup
posed to ask questions?"
at doesn't matter. You see, he's
reserved a room at the White Star
Hotel for me. A room next to his"
She felt Barney's fingers tighten
over hers. He said, 81 don't get it,
honey"
Kirk didn't do much explaining.
He said he'd be out within an hour
and told me to get ready"
"But this hotel business 2"
Cant you understand? He thinks
that folks have been talking :"
"And that this will stop their Cos
sip? I'm afraid your friend Mr.. Rey-
nolds isn't quite bright"
"He-he wants the town to believe
l really am his WIFE"
IT see and I'm to sit back
and let you 60 with him?"
Eyes"
There was no mirth in Barney's
laugh. It was short and harsh. He
said, "I'll have to ask few ques-
tons. First, must you do whatever
Kirk orders?"
eyes"
"Why?"
We've talked about that SO many
times. You know can't explain"
81 see Second question, do
you want to 60 with him?"
Her answer came sharply. "No!"
Then" he said quietly, you're
not going"
"But you still don't understand.
I've got to CO."
Like hell you do. Now you listen
to me few minutes, young lady.
I've been playing the sap plenty long
enough. don't like it. And most
particularly l don't like the idea of
you living with Kirk Reynolds
and what's more! I'm not going to
stand for it,
"Please You promised"
II don't care what I promised.
That bird has been pushing you
around long enough"
"But there's nothing you can do"
mo? Well damn soon find out
about that" His eyes were hot. 'I'm
going to have talk with this lad.
A nice, pleasant chat. I'm going to
ask few questions and tell him a
few things"
"You mustn't"
"Why not?"
Because you promised. And be-
cause I'm asking you"
1.-TWO lousy reasons"
'And also because I'm afraid.
He's dangerous"
Barney made an impatient ges-
ture. bad, bold guy, isn't he? Muir
dered Harvey jackson without CIV
ing him a chance. Runs around
playing big by frightening girls. Oh!
he's tough, all right, but somehow,
honey, don't seem to be so terribly
scared of him.
Barney, listen. Believe me when
! say that anything you do will only
make things worse"
"Oh, yeah? And how could they
be worse?"
IF anything happened to you !"
I'm able to take care of my
self"
She smiled bravely. Barney .
won't you do what I ask? Just this
once"
He kissed her. "I'd better stay
away from the house until after
you've gone"
He turned and walked away. She
gazed after his tall, slender figure
with tear-dimmed eyes. Then she
moved toward the house, trembling
and frightened
Barney walked along the edge of
the lagoon. He was more disturbed
than he cared to confess, even to
himself. He kicked viciously at a
small stone and heard it plop into
the black water. He stood staring
at nothing at all. He lighted a Gig
arctic with fingers which trembled
:. and then he heard a voice at
his shoulder. a pleasant. genial
voice.