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Instantly Barbara Harding looked into the face of the er Why the uess; but that he did was evidenced by the malevolent expression of his surly countenance For aat her, and then he spoke

"I'rowled, "an' I'ht here to tell youse dat you don't wanta try an' put nothin' over on otta good notion to han' youse wot's comin' to you If it hadn't been fer youse I wouldn't have been here now on dis Gawd-forsaken wreck Youse is de cause of all de trouble Wot youse ought to get is croaked an' den dere wouldn't be nothin' to bother any of us You an' yer bunch of kale, dey give me a swift pain Fer half a cent I'd soak youse a wallop to de solar plexus dat would put youse to sleep fer de long count, you--you--" but here words failed Billy

To his surprise the girl showed not the slightest indication of fear Her head was high, and her level gaze never wavered from his own eyes Presently a sneer of contempt curled her lip

"You coward!" she said quietly "To insult and threaten a wo but an insufferable bully, and a cowardly er held reat, hulking carcass You are only fit to strike fro, as you did Mr Theriere that other day Do you think I fear a THING such as you--a beast without honor that kicks an unconscious man in the face? I know that you can kill h to do it because I ah you may kill me, you never can make me show fear for you That is what you wish to do--that is your idea ofas you lived in the guise of man; but I have read you, Mr Byrne, since I have had occasion to notice you, and I kno that you are what is known in the great cities as a mucker The term never meant much to me before, but I see now that it fits your kind perfectly, for in it is all the loathing and conteentleman--must feel for such as you"