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Updated: May 4, 2025
"This affair ain't any more regular than it ought to be," he was saying. "Now, just the matter of the licence " Gratton jerked about and glared at him. The "judge" broke off with a vehement clearing of his throat. In a moment he spoke again.
She had drooped so like a figure of despondency; she had lifted her head slowly at the "judge's" question. And then there had occurred that sudden change in her bearing and in her voice alike, when abruptly she had cried out: "No. No and no and no!" "Tell me," said King heavily, "when you refused to marry Gratton last night did you know that I was outside?" "Yes," she answered.
She had never known Gratton to show emotion as he showed it to-night; she was more and more curious about that "business" which carried him out of town. Why hadn't he tossed the telegram across the table for her to read? Here was a shut door, and from being barred a door always invites the more temptingly. Especially to a girl like Gloria. "Why, I can go home alone " "I don't like it.
And meantime, though occupied with much speculation concerning all that had happened to-night and must have happened before and might happen in the future, he never for an instant entirely forgot Gloria and how pitifully borne down she looked. Gratton had tricked her some way, had coerced her, had come close to breaking her utterly.
Gratton was pressing tight to Gloria, seeking futilely to get behind her. He began to articulate to beg to promise Brodie fired. A great reverberating roar filled the cavern. Gloria, her brain gone suddenly numb, felt the grip on her arm tighten convulsively. Then it relaxed slowly. Gratton, his eyes bulging, his mouth wide open, was sinking Gloria put her hands over her eyes and screamed.
His eyes roved all about the room; they came back to Gratton, sped up the steps, came back to Gratton with a leer in them, and all the while he turned and turned his black dusty hat like a man doing a job he was being paid for. At last, since no delay holds back for ever the rolling of the great wheels of time, Gloria came.
"Which means as plain as print," he said thoughtfully, "that you would go to any man to be rid of me." He laughed unpleasantly and Gloria's anger flared the higher. "Do you know," he said presently, "that they are probably Gratton and Swen Brodie and their outfit?" "What of it?" asked Gloria, erect and defiant. "You know that Gratton has set out to ruin your father?
There was none; no smoke this morning denoted his camp, no longed-for figure toiled upward toward her. But he would come soon; he must. King had found the gold here; Gratton would know and come. She would wait, hoping for Gratton's coming before King's return.
She saw that he was eyeing her keenly, and her thought was that he was wondering if by chance she had seen the hotel register. "I don't know just what to do," said Gratton. "My business is going to hold me here longer than I had thought. I I promised to go back with you this afternoon. Would it be all right if I got a man to drive you back? I am terribly sorry, Gloria, but "
But he understood what Benny had in mind and saw wisdom in obeying the command to hold his hand. His gross, heavy-muscled face, half in light, half in darkness, showed a look of hesitation. Gratton began a rapid, vehement talking, explaining, arguing, pleading; he had not meant to steal the food; he could lead them to the gold; he wanted none of it; all that he asked was to be allowed to live
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