The All-Story, March 1914 — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THI me! he de- “What is it? Tell Inanded. alarmed. “It's that Jerry Thomas—the one ou saved from drowning. He wants b marry me, and to-night Randy told im he could. I’d been over to the lanes’ to ask about Esther, and when came back I found everything set- ed. I said flatly that I wouldn't arry him, and Randy swore [ should. And then we fought anc ick me. Oh, Paul—”’ Shé clung to his arm with hysterical Rrength, her white, tragic face up- durned. . “He did that? He struck you: Baird's brain and body seemed to be swept by a hail of fire. “ The whelp! rl kill him!” : He shook off her clinging hands sith one swift motion and_ leaped along the road. ‘ But she was beside him instantly, holding to him and begging him to be reasonable. She had alw ays «orned Randy’s bullying rages, but here was a blind, white passion such as she had never seen. A_ horrible fear of what must surely happen. should Paul override her, lent her srenoth. Bodily she wrestled with him, striving to penetrate the crimson haze that fogged his brain and that found vent in guttural, animal noises. . “Paul, please! Listen, Paul! Do hear me? Stop! Think what vou are doing! Oh, God help me. Paul! ” | Her last frantic cry pierced to lus inierstanding: For a moment he hes- tated. Then he stopped confusedly, as though he had just heard her, “Listen!” she said, instinctively appealing to his chivalry: “dont leave me now. I need you. You must help me.”” “Help you? let me finish with that brute first! She felt the involuntary flexing of the great muscles under her fingers. “No, Paul. Help me first, and then think about him.” | His body relaxed. He was himsel! again. 9) Yes, Pl help vou: but 3 SMOLDERING PAST. 607 . Forgive me, Betty,” he said hum- bly ; “yp was only thinking of you. They commenced to walk slowly back toward the village, and as they went she repeated the tale about Jerry. “AVhat shall I do, Paul? ** she asked anxiously in conclusion. “Don’t marry him!” he burst out. “Randy hasn’t any legal authority over vou, has he?” “Same as a parent. Ine four years ago.” “But he can’t force you to marry. Good Lord! This isn’t the Middle Ages! You are eighteen—of legal age —arent you?” “Yes, but—’ “Well, then, defy him. a right to your own life, can't be happy where you change and go somewhere of people can’t seem to fact. “They go through life miserable and cursing their lot just because they haven't horse sense enough to know that by making themselves happy they increase the happiness of every one round them. You have asked my ad- vice. Now you have it. Leave him!” “T thought of that, Paul,” she fal- tered; “but where shall [ go? I[ haven’t a relative outside this island. I don’t know how to do a thing ex- cept pack sardines, and—oh, I can't go back to that! Please don't ask me, Paul. Those factories! ‘Those peo- ple! If you only knew!” His manner lost its bruskness at the piteous pleading in her voice. “Yes, yes, I understand,” he said gently. “I couldn't have you try that again. | “Isn't there any one of these fisher- men you like well enough to marry?” he inquired coolly. to be shot through a moment Jater with a vague, rankling pang of jealousy. He cursed himself tor that speech and looked down upon her in uneasy alarm, fearful of her answer. ‘\s he. waited and she remained si- He adopted You've got and if you are inake a else. A lot realize that lent he suddenly knegs that beokEtto