Part 33 (2/2)

”Is it Curly?” she gasped. ”Do you think he means any harm?”

”Curly follow Big White Chief,” was the reply. ”Curly track white man.

Bimeby Curly shoot.”

”Oh! do you think so?” Glen clasped her hands before her, while her eyes grew big with apprehension. ”What can we do? I know. You go after that man, and stop him. Never mind me, for I am all right.

Look,” and she thrust her hand into the bosom of her riding-dress and brought forth her revolver. ”I can shoot and take care of myself. Go at once and save daddy and Mr. Reynolds.”

Sconda needed no second bidding, for he was anxious to be away. His fears had vanished at the presence of the skulking enemy, and no matter how he might tremble at the thought of unseen ghostly foes, he was never known to flinch before the face of a living earthly being. Glen knew that he was the finest trailsman in the north, and she felt more satisfied as she watched him, rifle in hand, disappear amid the trees.

For some time she stood at the window, straining her eyes to see Sconda reappear and cross the wild meadow. But she watched in vain, for the native had taken another route, which, though rougher, was less exposed to view.

Glen was about to turn away from the window, when, happening to glance to her left, she saw someone coming from the lake toward the house.

She recognized him immediately. It was Curly! At first she imagined that she must be dreaming, for was not Curly away on the trail of her father and Reynolds? What did it all mean? Sconda must have been mistaken, for there was the villain walking cautiously from the sh.o.r.e.

Intuitively Glen placed her hand to her heart, as if to stop its wild beating, while she tried to think of some way of escape. What should she do? Where could she go? she frantically asked herself. But she must not remain there, for she was well aware of the purpose of Curly's visit. He had planned a plot with the a.s.sistance of someone as vile as himself, and had caught her in his trap. But he should not take her in the house, and she knew it would be useless to fasten the door against him. She would meet him in the open, and if it came to the worst she knew what she could do. Her hand touched her heaving bosom where the revolver was resting, and it somewhat calmed her fears, and inspired her with courage.

Swiftly crossing the room, she reached the open door and stepped outside just when Curly was but a few yards away. He stopped, surprised at the girl's unexpected appearance. He noted her agitation, and his lips parted in a grin, such as a wolf might a.s.sume when about to pounce upon an innocent lamb. It was this grin which dispelled Glen's fear and aroused in her breast an intense anger. As she looked upon the dirty and unkempt creature before her, and thought of the mean advantage he was taking of a woman, the paleness left her face and her cheeks crimsoned with indignation. Why should she become a victim to such a vile thing?

Glen was perfectly composed now, and looked Curly steadily in the eyes.

She had no intention of parleying with the villain, and the sooner he realised her mettle the better it would be.

”What do you want?” she demanded. ”My father is not here, if you wish to see him.”

”It's you I want to see,” Curly replied with a grin.

”What do you want to see me for?” Glen's words were so cold, firm and business-like that Curly was somewhat taken aback.

”Oh, I just thought I would drop around an' see ye, that's all,” he prevaricated.

”Well, you might have saved yourself the trouble, for I don't want to see you.”

”Ye don't, eh?” Curly snarled, for the girl's words stung him. ”I don't care whether ye do or not. It's not what you want, but what I want.”

”What do you mean by those words?”

”I guess ye ought to know. Didn't I tell ye at the dance that I love ye?”

”Love me!” and Glen's eyes flashed. ”Do you know the meaning of the word love? I suppose you told the same to many girls you have ruined.”

”I never loved anyone as I love you,” the villain whined.

”I suppose I should be flattered, but I am not. I don't want what you call your love, or anything to do with you.”

”D'ye mean that yer goin' to throw me over?”

”Throw you over! I don't understand you.”

”Yes, throw me over fer that slick guy you're so chummy with. I suppose he's been tellin' ye what a bad man I am, an' so turned ye against me.”

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