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Show I70 and insist. The last is worst of all. Oh, David, he said that even if the report was false and you came back safe, you still might- might meet with anaccident, if I did not- consideryour-best interests!" " Then he has threatened I " I cried, springing to my feet. Lucy drew herself up with me, clinging fast to my arm. "David! You'll not-- Oh, be carefull do be careful! Do not anger him I " I put my hand on the hilt of my Colt's. " Before I let him take you, he shall kill me-if I do not kill him!" " Wait, David I "she begged. " Promise me you'll wait until the very last I " " Until-- I " I looked into her imploring eyes. "Yes, I will wait." She sighed with relief. "Dear David! At least we shall have these few moments before he comes." " And after he has gone," I said, trying to force myself to believe it possible. Ann Jane burst in upon us, frantic with fear, and ran to clutch Mrs. Senby about the body. "Ohl ohl save me, S1ster Senbyl hide mel" she whispered. "He's come to git me!" " Who I Brigham? " asked Mrs. Sen by. "No-no-nol- him /-an' he's awful mad! Oh, save mel hide me I" " She must mean Chilcott," I explained. " Don't fear, Ann Jane. It's not you he wants." " I'll not see him," said Lucy. She ran to Ann Jane and led her from the room. Mrs. Senby went to close the front door. Chilcott forestalled her. He stepped up on the little front porch and entered without troubling to remove his hat. "Howdy, sister," he said. " I'm looking for- Hello, Dave. So you are here. Thought so." "Not a bad guess," I lightly replied, feigning not I7I to perceive the menace in his cold blue eyes. " You found your family prepared to welcome you. All well, I trust." " Didn't stop long enough to learn," he answered, his glance shiftm(: swiftly about the room. " Thought Sister Neville m1ght wish to know I had got home safe." . " That is very thoughtful of you, Brother Chilcott," said Mrs. Sen by. " I shall tell my ruece that you called. As s.~e is ill, I must beg you to excuse her from commg m. " Ill I " he replied. " She's seen Dave, hasn't she I" . .. " I must decline to answer, Brother Ch1lcott. " You must, must you? That means, she has. 'Fraid I can't excuse you, Sister Senby. I ve taken the trouble to call on Sister Lucy, and I'll ask you to fetch her out." " I must decline to comply with your request, Brother Chilcott." "That so I Well, then, I figure I'll have to do my own fetching." He started across the room. I stepped before him. " Hold on a bit, Brother William. If a lady does not wish to see ~ou, you don't wish to force your company on her. ' " How do I know she don't wish to see me? " he countered. "You have my word for it." " 'Fraid that won't go, Dave. It's a ease w~~re your testimony is mighty apt to be preJUdiced. " Then I'll put it that I do not wish you to see her,." " That's more like I Straight out. You've got gnt. . . . Which is the door I take ? " · " The street door.-See here, Brother William, we've made that long triJ2 together. You professed to be friendly to me. Just remember slie IS my promised wife." " Promised? "he jeered. " You've been dawdling |
