The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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THE she could only shrink back and give vent to a tremulous “‘ Oh!” A hundred terrifying doubts and ap- prehensions crowded in upon her. Re- calling ‘this man’s perfidy and baseness in the past, she wondered if it were pos- sible that he had lured her out there under false pretenses ? It might readily be that there was no inheritance awaiting her; that.the whole story of her father’s death had been a fabrication cunningly devised to_ trick and draw her away from home and friends. Could the ruthless malignity of even a fiend go so far? Alas, she was forced to confess that there was scarcely any evil she was not ready to believe of Guy Washburn ;’and certainly all the circum- stances of her arrival seemed to lend point to her suspicions. This lonely cabin far away from other human habitation, the only companion granted her the stolid Indian woman, evidently his tool and slave, his own odi- ous presence. What else could it mean save that she had walked into a trap? Helpless, aghast, she yet felt that she must not give way. She must control her emotions, betray none of her palpitating fears, play for time, and strive with all her woman’s wit to extricate herself. Nerving herself to the role, therefore, she endeavored to assume an air of cool indifference. ‘Be it so, then,” she said icily. “ And since you ‘are James Hart, a stranger whom I never met before, will you not be seated and discuss the business which brought you?” Hart, however, was too shrewd to be deceived by her acting. He had seen the pallor deepen on her cheek, the swift glance of horror she had cast about the room as though seeking some way of escape; and, grasping the thought which lurked back in her mind, he hastened to reassure her. “You are wrong, Gladys,” he said gently. ‘And you need have no fear of me. Whatever Guy Washburn may have done, James Hart is acting through- out this entire matter absolutely on the square. Set your mind free of all doubts. You have not been deceived in coming out here. You are a great heiress, and my sole purpose in calling on you to- ’ IMPOSTOR. -isfaction. ol9 night is to bid you welcome to Lame Creek and to turn the property over to you.” There was a ring of truth in his voice which compelled her attention. ‘It is so,” he repeated. “Or, here, you can convince yourself.” He drew from his pocket a copy of the will and a bundle of deeds to mining claims, leases, etc., and handed them over to her. Untutored in business details though she was, Gladys could not but recognize that these were genuine, and a great wave of relief surged up in her heart. After all, the peril which had driven her so nearly to the verge of panic had only existed in her own fears. Nevertheless, she abated nothing in the stiffness of her manner, nor would she concede to him by even so much as an appreciative glance that he had rid her of any alarm. If he had expected her to be softened by his avowal, he was des- tined to disappointment. . ‘Thank you,” she said simply when she had inspected the papers to her sat- ‘“And now is there anything else you have to tell me about my af- fairs?” He noticed that she did not again offer him a seat, nor did she sit down herself ; but stood with her hand resting on the back of a chair, as though to indicate that the interview was to be as brief and businesslike- as possible. Her formal, perfunctory tone nettled him, and he took a hasty step toward her. ‘Yes, I have much to tell you about your affairs; but that can wait. ‘To- night I want to talk to you about my- self.” ‘“T do not care to hear it. Remember, you are to me James Hart—a perfect stranger.” He ground his teeth at the rebuff. Time was passing, and the ‘ boys” would not be willing to wait much longer. Presently they would be along to find out why he had not returned. He re- solved to risk a bold stroke. “Gladys,” he murmured, throwing into his voice a passion of tender appeal, ‘can’t you forgive and forget? I love vou. I have always loved you alone!” She drew back as though stung, and EO NOO (©